Painting Demonstrations & Art Tips

From color to composition, to dealing with the elements, learn from the community of plein air painters with these tips for painting outdoors!

Artist challenge

Painting With Random Tubes of Paint

Have you heard of the Random Tube Challenge? See how it works, and try it yourself. You just might discover that although it's dubbed a challenge, it’s actually quite liberating.

Do You Paint What You Love, or What You Think Will Sell?

This dilemma seems to plague all artists at one time or another. Painting from the heart, or painting what sells? Is it possible to do both?

Plein Air Paint Like a Boy Scout: Be Prepared!

Award-winning plein air painter Kathleen Dunphy knows a thing or two about maximizing her time in the field. Here, she shares four secrets to staying at the ready for whenever inspiration strikes.

Travel Sketching: Tips for Keeping an Art Journal

From 2015 to 2018, Ivan Chow made trips to and around Istanbul, Turkey, sketching many scenes along the way. In this excerpt from his upcoming book, "Travel Sketching: Drawing Insights from Istanbul," he shares one of his favorite formats for drawing on location.

What Comes First: The Painting or the Title?

Artist and author John Pototschnik explains his process when it comes to giving a landscape painting the perfect title.
How to paint a landscape

Studies to Studio: Painting Landscapes with Acrylics

Landscape painter John Hughes shares a step-by-step painting demo, illustrating his problem solving process for an acrylic study.
Plein Air Magazine

5 Ways to Get Your Art Published

If you want to get your art published and seen around the world, do any (or all) of these suggestions from your team at PleinAir Magazine!

Avoiding Lyme Disease, a Plein Air Painter’s Nemesis

“Many people who have had Lyme disease are terrified of going outdoors again.” That’s Deborah Lazar, a Vermont artist and a victim of Lyme disease, explaining why you and all of your plein air painting friends want to avoid this affliction. How? Lazar has some tips.
How to paint landscapes

12 Minutes to Better Paintings

From working with mediums to making studies from memories, Christine Lashley shares helpful advice on painting landscapes.
Plein Air Oil Toolkit

3 Supplies For Your Plein Air Oil Toolkit

Think you’ve got your plein air oil supply list nailed down? Think again. Landscape painter John Crump takes the myth out of some plein air oil painting conventional wisdom. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in plein air painting, you might be surprised by some of his hard-won findings.
Painting outdoors - watercolor

Plein Air Watercolor Tips and Tricks

When time is of the essence and access to supplies is limited, you must be prepared to make the most of what you have. Plein air watercolor painter Frank Costantino offers his best advice for how to handle just about any outdoor painting situation.

The Llama Syndicate

Most artists have their unique ways for going about their business. Colorado artist Michael Charron has a few notable ones involving llamas, a syndication system for selling paintings, and underdrawings with spiritual symbols and cursive writing.
The 10 Most Common Mistakes Painters Make | OutdoorPainter.com

The 10 Most Common Mistakes Painters Make

Tackle these common issues to start making better paintings sooner rather than later with this painting advice from John Cosby.

PleinAir Tip: Sketch Quickly

When painting outdoors, it is important that you capture this piece first.
Painting snow en plein air - OutdoorPainter.com

Valuable Tips for Painting a Snow Scene on Location

When it comes to painting snow scenes en plein air, you may experience some of the best sessions on warm, sunny days.

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.
Painting a Landscape - John Pototschnik - OutdoorPainter.com

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...
John MacDonald artist - OutdoorPainter.com

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**

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.