Mix Color and Get Good Harmony
"When mixing colors for the landscape, artists need to be quick on their feet," says John Hughes. "Outdoors, where the light and shadows are in constant motion, it’s important to be able to mix a color intuitively."
Packing and Plein Air
For the very adventurous outdoor painter, room — and weight — are crucial things to consider when it comes to packing for plein air. PleinAir Today visited with artist Gary Geraths, who offered up some sage suggestions.
The Challenges of Painting a Landscape
There’s a perception that painting comes easily to professional artists because they "were born with the gift." John Pototschnik explains how that idea is far from the truth...
Facebook Live Series: Thomas Jefferson Kitts “Sorolla: Painting the Color of Light” **FREE LESSON...
Watch: Thomas Jefferson Kitts is one of very few to master the techniques of the great artist Joaquín Sorolla, famous for his ability to paint the color of light.
Facebook Live Series: John MacDonald “Creating Dynamic Landscapes” **FREE VIDEO LESSONS**
Imagine a beach scene that is painted so well, you can actually feel the warmth of the sun. This is exactly the kind of landscape paintings John MacDonald will help you create.
Facebook Live Series: Shelby Keefe “Painting From Photographs” **FREE VIEWING**
Shelby Keefe demonstrates how you can take a good photo and turn it into an amazing masterpiece.
Facebook Live Series: Michele Byrne “Palette Knife Painting” **FREE VIEWING**
In this broadcast, watch and learn from Michele Byrne as she shows you how adding a palette knife to your tool kit will allow you to paint in a new way that will make people leap up and take notice!
Facebook Live Series: Joseph McGurl “Painting Light and Atmosphere” **FREE VIEWING**
Today, we're traveling into the minds of great artists to discover how they rose to a level of unsurpassed mastery in “Painting Light and Atmosphere” with Joseph McGurl.
Painting Nocturnes: Is Plein Air in Moonlight Possible?
Moonlight has fascinated artists for centuries. Writers have composed about its romance, artists have painted its mystery, musicians and composers have been moved to produce beautiful passages that evoke those ideas. But while moonlight has been depicted by many painters, it was often done from memory — out of necessity, because it’s hard to see and paint in the dark.
6 Reasons Field Studies Are Priceless
From illustrator to fine art painter since 1982, John Pototschnik shares his advice on the importance of field studies, which he says have “a value greater than any monetary reward.”
How to Turn an Imperfect Photo Into a Fantastic Painting
Shelby Keefe shares her goals and processes for the painting “Urban Patchwork.”
13 Ways to Get the Most out of Any Painting Workshop
Take advantage of the art workshops you attend — don’t wind up returning home, only to paint the same way you always have in the past. John Hughes shares tips for your next workshop.
Do You See These Colors in the Sky?
As plein air painters know, the sky is rarely just blue. There’s at least a gradation from top to bottom, and the clouds can reflect anything from deep orange to vivid purple. What did 20 artists see when they looked up recently?
Color Corner: 10 Artists Share What’s on Their Palette
We asked some of your favorite plein air artists about their palettes and what colors — and brands — they use to create stunning landscapes.
10 Mental Keys to Make an Extraordinary Painting
Plein air painter Bill Davidson takes us through his process of creating a powerful landscape painting.
Painting Techniques: Glazing Basics
Have you heard of the glazing technique, but aren’t sure when or why you’d apply it to your painting? In this guest blog post, Hebe Brooks, a NOAPS Master Artist, explains glazing for beginners.
Is Ultramarine a Cool Blue?
Particularly in plein air painting, where carrying a lot of paint tubes around and having a complex palette is often avoided, artists go for a split-primary palette, with a warm and cool for each primary color. So what is your warm blue?
Understanding Value Keys for Painting Landscapes
The key of a painting refers to its overall appearance in value or, more specifically, to the position of its foundation values on the value scale. John MacDonald explains.
How to Sell Your Art in 2020
Why isn’t your art selling? More importantly, how do you make it sell in 2020? Find out in this letter from Eric Rhoads.
Working Out the Kinks of Water-Mixable Oils
Christine Lashley gets a wide variety of responses — everything from rude negativity to nods from those in the know — when people discover that she paints with both traditional and water-mixable oils. Here are the benefits and the drawbacks as she has experienced them.
