Practical Advice for Painting Clouds
Because the diversity of cloud paintings is so unexpected, we offer the following practical advice for painting clouds and skies.
Plein Air Fest Winners in Wyoming
Forty-four invited artists took to NMWA's Sculpture Trail for a morning of live painting, music, and community celebration—drawing over 800 collectors and art enthusiasts. When the silent auction closed, total gross sales reached ...
7 Surprising Tricks for Painting en Plein Air
You might think you know all the tricks to the trade when it comes to painting en plein air, but these three artists have some witty ideas for making it an even better experience.
3 Painting Habits That Will Instantly Simplify Your Process
Kevin Macpherson approaches painting through a simple, structured system. Here, learn his three habits you should apply now to improve your process for painting the landscape, and more.
A Classic Mistake Almost Ruined My Tuscan Painting
Hot and tired from lugging my gear through the steep hillside town, I decided that I would stop and paint the next remotely suitable scene. Suddenly I came across the perfect spot…
7 Tips for Painting Vibrant Color
Plein air painter and fourth-generation artist Jed Dorsey shares his tips for getting brilliant color into your next landscape painting.
Artist Spotlight: Cindy Harris
Cindy Harris: "Find Your Flock" In May, I gathered with the largest flock of plein air painters at PACE (Plein Air Convention and Expo),...
It’s Simple: Plein Air Painting Is My Joy
When Mo Myra isn't painting outdoors, she's working as a full-time commissioned live wedding painter and watercolor instructor for various institutions such as ...
6-Step Landscape Painting Demo: Painting Back to Front
Watch and learn as Sara Linda Poly shows how her landscape painting, "Mountains and Long Shadows," came to be.
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.
Announcement: The April Salon Art Prize Winners Are …
Catherine Saks, of Saks Gallery in Cherry Creek, Colorado, has revealed her selections for the April 2026 Salon Art Prize. They are ...
Step-by-Step: Edit the Landscape for Better Composition
A strong composition is achieved through intentional design, not a happy accident of random shapes. If we look closely, nature gives us all the information we
need. We just have to organize the pieces to create visually pleasing paintings.
5 Quick and Dirty Tips for Artists
Plein air painter Gene Costanza shares his five quick tips for artists on composition, color, and more.
Painting of the Week: “Where the Buffalo Roam, Isaiah 40:31”
"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.
2026 Plein Air Southwest Winners Announced
As the volunteers working the 2026 Plein Air Southwest packed up the exhibit panels and swept the floor, Randall Kirby Cogburn said it best: “Can't wait to do it again next year, all fun!” The winners this year are ...
Artist Spotlight: Melanie Barash Levitt
Melanie Barash Levitt:
How do you develop your unique style?
Melanie: My impressionist style has evolved through years of experimentation and observing the landscape en plein...
6 Ways to Develop a Distinctive Style
Beth Bathe's reductive approach to plein air painting, combined with simplification, strong design, and a unique perspective, distinguishes her from other artists. Here are a few elements that contribute to her distinct artistic identity and how you can use them to set your own work apart.
Pastel Painting Demo: How to Create Crashing Waves
In Case You Missed It: Join art publisher Eric Rhoads in this classic episode of Art School Live as he gives you free art instruction in pastel painting with artist Lyn Diefenbach.
She Has the Courage to Paint Remote Landscapes
From Cotopaxi to the Scottish Highlands, this Washington, D.C., oil painter captures nature at its most elemental, immersing herself in landscapes that are vast, wild, and unpredictable.
Lisa Wang: Painting the Sculptures of Venice
How Melbourne-based artist Lisa Wang draws on her early Chinese art education to capture centuries-old objects en plein air.
Tutorial: Don’t Underestimate the Underpainting
Richard McKinley takes us through a step-by-step tutorial of painting with pastel over a watercolor underpainting.
Art Snippet: Why I Love to Layer
I view the world in shapes and color notes — not objects, and this is how I approach my paintings as well. In general, I begin a painting by ...
Ned Mueller Receives PleinAir Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award
Ned Mueller has not just painted the world; he has enriched the lives of all who know him. His work is a monument to a life lived with integrity, passion, and an endless curiosity. Watch his PleinAir Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award presentation here, and ...
How to Create Perspective and Depth in a Landscape
Learn how to add realistic perspective and depth to a landscape using Carla Bosch’s shape-first approach. Includes guidance on sketching, toned canvas, and leading the eye for an atmospheric Yosemite mountain scene.
Build a “Visual Library”
In this issue of PleinAir Magazine, you’ll meet Ellie Wilson — a painter who has accumulated what she describes as “piles of plein air paintings,” and arrived at a philosophy that every artist, at every level, needs to hear.