Painting (and Life) Advice for the Painter’s Journey
The most important things we learn aren’t just technical tips, Michele de Bragança tells us, but rather, life lessons.
Free Preview! Learn How to Paint Urban Scenes in Pastel
In this preview of “Urban Pastel Paintings,” Nancie King Mertz shows us how she approaches cityscapes. See why she says you can use the same approach with both oil and pastel paintings (and why she has become a devotee of pastel).
From Plein Air Watercolor Sketches to Large Scale Painting
See how this outdoor painter considered her options for capturing a “Joyful Day” on paper at Acadia National Park.
Rising Tide: Advice for Painting Waves
Water as a featured element in painting has been used by artists throughout history. Here, John Slivjak explains four things artists need to consider when painting waves.
How Do the Pros Ship Paintings?
There comes a time in an artist’s career when she or he needs to ship paintings across the country for an exhibition. What is the best way to do this?
Must-Have List: Crucial Outerwear and Art Supplies to Pack for Plein Air Painting Events
From pants to paint tubes, you’ll want to refer to this list for your next plein air painting trip. Bonus: It includes tips for flying with art supplies!
Plein Air Artist Jeff Markowsky on Painting Palm Trees
With summer now around the bend, perhaps you’ll have the pleasure of painting palms in your future, and this advice will help you do so.
Three Quick Tips on How to Paint Dog Portraits
This advice from Johanne Mangi, one of the world’s top painters of dog portraits, will get you going in the right direction toward painting our canine counterparts.
How I Got Out of My Comfort Zone and Improved My Art
In a place with constant activity, curious children, and vibrant scenery, Ellen Howard learned why it’s important to “get out of your own way” to make the most of an art workshop.
A New Way of Seeing and Painting (For Studio and Plein Air Applications)
John Hughes explains how this new way of seeing is key to your success, and the development of this skill will do more to further your advancement as a painter than anything else.
Cynthia Rosen on Painting Outdoors: Advice for Artists
Captivated by her landscape paintings, I invited Cynthia Rosen to share with us some of her general tips for painting outdoors.
The 10 Most Common Mistakes Painters Make
Tackle these common issues to start make better paintings sooner rather than later with this painting advice from John Cosby.
What’s in My Bag?
If you follow Lori Putnam at all, you probably realize she spends a fair amount of time on the road and in the air. That requires making sure she arrives with everything she needs safe and secure. Here are her top five preparedness tips for artists.
The Visual Tools You Need to Create Atmospheric Perspective
Master these elements to give your paintings a powerful sense of atmospheric depth.
Three Important Skills Every Landscape Painter Needs
Simply stated, when these three divisions are understood and put into practice, competent landscape paintings can happen.
A Land of Resilience in the Face of Decay: New Mexico and Plein Air...
John Meister offers advice for visiting New Mexico and painting outdoors in the “Land of Enchantment.”
Go Big or Go Home: Advice For Painting on Large Canvases en Plein Air
Painting on large canvases out of doors is not for the faint of heart, as it requires a great deal of bravery and tenacity to get started. Curt Walters explains more in this guest blog post.
Why “Student” is Not a Dirty Word
John Hughes shares why he hopes he never loses his enthusiasm for learning more about making art, because “that would surely spell disaster.”
The Value of Art Retreats
Artists are used to taking workshops, which of course are great ways to learn. But what about events that are all painting, in a beautiful place with no workshop? It's trending - see why...
A Winning Work, Painted Through Cold Temps and Changing Light
I painted “December Sunset Near Farmer’s Market” (a Plein Air Salon winner) in Minneapolis in 2015. Luckily the weather was better than usual with temperatures hovering just above freezing. (Yes, that’s better.)