From raging rivers and dramatic waterfalls to idyllic streams meandering through wooded landscapes, these 11 plein air-inspired paintings feature one of collectors’ favorite subjects.
1. River Dance
Bonnie Zahn Griffith, “River Dance,” 2022, pastel, 8 x 10 in., Available from Cawdry Gallery, Whitefish, MT, Plein air
2. Sunlight Through Eucalyptus
Laurie Hendricks, “Sunlight Through Eucalyptus,” 2019, oil, 16 x 12 in., Private collection, Plein air and studio
3. Garden of Reflection
Nancie King Mertz, “Garden of Reflection,” 2023, pastel, 18 x 12 in., Available from ArtDeTriumph, Rockford, IL, Plein air
4. Mountain Rapids
Kathleen Gray Farthing, “Mountain Rapids,” 2022, oil, 12 x 16 in., Private collection, Plein air
5. Roaring River at the Alluvial Fan
Nancy Hall, “Roaring River of the Alluvial Fan,” 2022, oil, 11 x 14 in., Available from The Glass Tipi, Ward, CO, Plein air
6. River’s Edge
Julie Riker, “River’s Edge,” 2019, oil, 10 x 8 in., Private collection, Plein air
7. Morning Song
Sue Barrasi, “Morning Song,” 2022, oil, 11 x 14 in., Available from Gruber Galleries, New Paltz, NY, Plein air
8. Fall View at Fisherman’s Paradise
Jeanne McKinney, “Fall View at Fisherman’s Paradise,” 2021, pastel, 11 x 14 in., Available from The Gallery Shop, Lemont, PA, Plein air
9. Last Light
Deena Ball, “Last Light,” 2021, watercolor, 19 x 19 in., Private collection, Studio from plein air study
10. Priest Hole View
Laurel Lake McGuire, “Priest Hole View,” 2021, watercolor, 10 x 10 in., Available from artist, Plein air
11. Hidden Away
Kath Reilly, “Hidden Away,” 2021, oil, 8 x 10 in., Available from artist, Plein air
How to divide the creative process into sections where you can focus on different things.
How to set your painting up for success with a transparent underpainting — without needing to wait for it to dry.
The key to joyful, bold brushwork: pre-mixing piles of paint and laying color down with confidence on an underpainting where all the composition and drawing problems have already been solved.
