OutdoorPainter

One of the greatest benefits of this community is the connection it fosters — artists from all over the world engaging with one another, often through something as simple as a comment on a blog or social media post.

Suzanne Burnell: Suzanne Burnell is a Colorado-based artist whose landscape paintings in pastel and mixed media reflect her profound connection to the natural world....

Logan Hudson:  The work of Logan Hudson is a documentation of his search for truth in the landscape.  It’s not about what the artist...

Lorraine Marie Cote: Lorraine strives to have her work embody the light, mood, and atmosphere of the moment, which is why she particularly loves...

I took the painting as far as I could on location, then I packed up my gear and loaded it into the trunk of my car...

Plein air oil painter Melanie Barash Levitt loves painting in winter. Here, she shares how oil painters in particular can make it a successful practice.

As a plein air artist, you are part of one of the largest art movements in history. In this "plein air heritage" series, learn about ...

"Where the Buffalo Roam, Isaiah 40:31" is an oil painting born from a deep connection to the wild heart of Yellowstone National Park in the Lamar Valley and a reflection on endurance and hope.

Working on a surface 12 x 16 inches or smaller allows artists to respond quickly to shifting light and fleeting moments. Quick doesn’t mean easy, though ...

Meet Sam Paonessa, an active member of the Streamline Publishing PleinAir community. Since 2021, Sam has been painting the holiday greeting cards you see from Eric Rhoads and our team each year.

Elaine Adams, Director of American Legacy Fine Arts, has revealed her selections for the October 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...

Published bi-monthly, PleinAir Magazine is focused on landscape paintings by historical and contemporary artists, art collections, events, and the process of creating plein air paintings. Beautifully...

Anniversaries invite reflection — a moment to pause, take stock, and appreciate how far we’ve come. With this issue, we celebrate a special milestone: PleinAir Magazine’s 15th anniversary.

John MacDonald: The landscapes of John MacDonald capture the transience of still moments in a landscape, in which time the light and time stand...

Nicole Maye Luga: Nicole is a contemporary realist oil painter working from direct observation and in the studio. “My work is a reflection of...

The 18th Annual Paint Historic Waxahachie Plein Air Art Show recently brought 38 artists to Waxahachie, Texas, where they ...

What’s the best easel for plein air painting? We asked, and you answered! Dozens of artists share what their favorite plein air easels are, including why they’re top choice.

Keep your compositions fresh and lively by applying the mantra “same same, bad bad.”

ICYMI: Dena Peterson had the honor of being one of 125 international artists selected to work on the movie “Loving Vincent.” Here, she shares what she learned by studying Van Gogh’s work.

Negative Painting means that you paint around the areas you want to preserve; Think of it like carving stone, chipping away until only the most precious elements remain.

Because I’ve been painting so long, I use color intuitively. I just “feel” my color. I choose colors automatically and know which ones harmonize or contrast with each other depending on the effect I want. I have long since stored by paint-splattered color wheel deep in a drawer in my studio, ignoring the wealth of information hidden within it. I’m sure I learned all there was to know about color in high school or college, so what is the point?

“All of us, beginners and experienced painters alike, can benefit from a refresher course in the bedrock principles of value and color.” John MacDonald explains more in this overview.

Even though the scene was rapidly changing with the sunrise, I slowed down and just concentrated on color notes, giving each stroke of color as a placeholder.

This list has it all: gorgeous frames, beautiful paints, and a special section of gifts under $50!