Flashback Friday: Édouard Manet’s “Boating”
During the summer he and his family spent in Gennevilliers in 1874, Édouard Manet often crossed the Seine to paint with Claude Monet at Argenteuil...
The Forgotten Essentials: A Memoir of Persistence
Working through adversity with persistence, patience, and grace can make us better artists - and better humans, too.
Art, Community, and Connection at Plein Air Easton
The 22nd annual Plein Air Easton concluded another remarkable year, bringing together world-class artists, passionate collectors, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and thousands of visitors for ten days celebrating art, community, and the landscapes of Maryland's Eastern Shore. This year's winner's are ...
The Confidence to Know When to Stop
Watch plein air artist Scott Hamill paint ‘Winter Light, California Coast’ step-by-step — learn how he captures light, shadow, and coastal atmosphere in this free oil painting demo.
Art Snippet: Magic In Contrasts
One moment you’re looking out over sweeping, rugged terrain; the next, you’re caught up in the lively color and energy of ...
A Curated Guide to August’s Top Plein Air Events
Check out these August 2026 plein air painting events and opportunities, highlighting art shows throughout the U.S. Bonus: Catch this month's deadlines so you don't miss out on upcoming opportunities.
Painting of the Week: “Shaping the Land”
This was the 6th or 7th painting I had completed in a week, so I was exhausted, but also warmed up. Sometimes good work comes from being tired because ...
Free Lesson: Painting with Gouache en Plein Air
Discover the art of painting with gouache en plein air with expert tips and techniques from Bernard Dellario. Perfect for artists of all skill levels!
Sunset Storyteller: How to Paint Skies
"The sky shapes the overall composition and mood of my work," says Ellen Howard, who evokes a deep sense of calm, serenity, and quiet reflection in her landscape paintings. Here, she shares how she starts a sunset painting, why she chooses oil, and insights on clouds and the "blue hour."
I Will Paint In Any Way Possible
Landscape painter Alex Dzigurski has led an inspired life, with a talented father leading him to the path of being an artist. Today, Alex continues to paint and teach, despite having MS.
Two Important Reasons to Practice Sketching From Life
Watercolor artist Shuang Li explains why sketching from life can have a big impact on your next painting.
9 Artists Receive LPAPA Signature Status
Earning a spot on this list represents a masterful command of light, a profound dedication to painting under the open sky, and the ultimate acknowledgment of excellence by peers and industry experts. Do you know any of these artists?
How To Paint By Subtraction
Learn how one artist creates a gorgeous painting using water-mixable oils, the rule of thirds, and a squeegee in this five-step demonstration from PleinAir Magazine.
How to Paint with Gouache and Oil: A Practical Method
Combining gouache and oil might sound unlikely, but the two can form a powerful partnership when handled correctly. Raymond Bonilla treats gouache like a painter’s utility knife: a fast, forgiving tool to build a value and temperature map. The result is a workflow that speeds decision making, reduces solvent use, and gives the finished piece both vibrancy and painterly texture.
What You Need to Paint Outdoors: The Beginner’s Guide
Use this guide to help you get started plein air painting with tips from artists who are willing to share their knowledge and wisdom.
Art Inspiration: Sorolla’s Garden
Like many of his fellow Impressionists in France, Spanish artist JoaquÃn Sorolla designed extensive gardens around his home and studio in Madrid (now the Sorolla Museum) as a reflection of his own creativity and works of art in themselves.
3 Ways to Show Perspective in a Landscape Painting
Perspective is more than just the way a road appears to get smaller as it recedes into the distance - learn more in this guest blog post from Michael Holter.
Happening Now: Door County Plein Air Festival
The 2026 Door County Plein Air Festival returned this weekend, inviting art lovers and nature enthusiasts to experience the breathtaking landscapes of Door County, Wisconsin through the eyes of some of the nation’s leading plein air painters.
Painting of the Week: Grazing
The following is part of a series that spotlights the work of an accomplished plein air artist whose work has been featured in PleinAir magazine. Here, Bonnie Zahn Griffith shares her inspiration for ...
Did You Draw This?!
In a "marathon of creativity," urban sketcher Heiner Radau followed his dream of drawing New York City on location. Then, he took his art to a modern level by connecting the artwork to videos, timelapses, and even an ...
Happening Now: 22nd Annual Plein Air Easton
In Easton, Maryland, they're welcoming artists who are spending the week painting all over Talbot County for Plein Air Easton.
8 Days of Art, Community, and Inspiration
From quiet morning painting sessions to conversations with visitors and collectors, Paint Grand Traverse highlighted the power of art to connect people and celebrate a shared sense of place. This year's winners are ...
Beyond the Great Wall: Inside China’s Plein Air Painting Renaissance
What happens when an artist sets aside long-held misconceptions to explore the heart of a foreign culture? For Eric Rhoads, a month-long journey through China revealed a world not just of ancient history, but of a sophisticated, modern, and incredibly vibrant outdoor painting movement that is setting a new global standard.
Why Your Paintings Look “Off” and How to Fix Them
This Art School Live critique session with Eric Rhoads covers composition, values, focal point, edge control, and warm vs cool balance, with practical fixes like checking in black and white and simplifying clutter.
Taking Care of Your Artistic Self Is Your Responsibility
At the most critical junctures, few, and sometimes no one, will believe ...