The sixth annual Plein Air Live kicked off this week with our “Essential Techniques Day” on Wednesday, November 5. An annual favorite for painters, we’ll spend this week learning new things, making new friends, and really gearing up for the remainder of the event (more on that later!).
Essential Techniques Day is for everyone – not just beginners. Many experienced artists attend because it’s an excellent refresher, and there’s always something new to learn when you have such a variety of instructors. Publisher Eric Rhoads and Editor-in-Chief Kelly Kane host the four-day event, introducing us to the world-class faculty for every session.
“We intentionally flood you with lots of content and variety,” said Eric. “Even if you see a session, artist, style, or subject you don’t think you are interested in, watch anyway. You’ll learn something important from everyone.”
Here’s a glimpse at what you might have missed (sign up at PleinAirLive.com to join us for the rest of the week, now through Saturday!).
Highlights from Plein Air Live: Essential Techniques Day
Suma CM, who often works in ink and watercolor, walked us through the basics of outdoor sketching, also known as urban sketching, and how it can be a fantastic process for plein air painters. “You’re not aiming for perfection,” she said, “you’re aiming to capture what you’re observing and get some ‘line mileage.'”
Lisa Mozzini-McDill explained the fundamentals of a strong composition, including how to simplify and organize a complex scene. She explained how to manage overwhelming visual information by focusing on shapes, light, and shadow, all while participating in our live running chat – a favorite feature of Plein Air Live!
In his lesson, Mark Mehaffey explained the split-primary palette (a warm and a color of each of the primaries – “plus a couple”) and how it simplifies and creates unity for both plein air and studio work.
Jill Stefani Wagner gave us smart tips and techniques on how to start a painting en plein air. She joined us from a beautiful lavender farm, and used pastel to create a gorgeous landscape.
“Gouache is more than you probably think it is,” said Justin Donaldson. He began with sharing examples of his plein air paintings that prove the wide range of styles you can achieve with this medium: “It gives us everything we could possibly ask for in a plein air painting.”
Joining us from a stunning beach at sunrise, Christine Lashley created watercolor studies, explaining a variety of critical watercolor basics along the way.
Painting on the California coast in Santa Cruz, Scott Hamill chose the area for its cliffs, bluff, and the basic shapes of the water and land, with the movement of the waves. He showed us how to make a scene more approachable by focusing on simple shapes and not worrying about the details. He encourages artists to “Relax, have fun, and enjoy the process.”
“By showing up, you are showing your commitment to yourself and your career,” said Eric, “and for any artist who ever intended to sell their art, the number one marketing technique is to improve your work.”
Thank you to our 2025 Plein Air Live Sponsors!
Platinum: Blick Art Materials
Gold: Rosemary & Co.
Silver: Laguna Plein Air Painters Association,
and first-time sponsor, box N’ paint
We ended the night with another favorite – the Paint Along Cocktail Hour. Always entertaining and inspiring, we’ll look forward to more this week. You can still join us and even catch the replays for sessions you missed! Visit PleinAirLive.com now.
And, come paint and learn with us all IN PERSON, including Eric, Kelly, me, and so many of today’s best plein air painters at the Plein Air Convention and Expo in the beautiful Ozarks of Missouri, May 14-18, 2026. We have exciting things in store, so don’t miss it!
