5 Tips From a Plein Air Painting Pro
No-fear plein air painting requires a little planning, a healthy dose of respect for nature and a keen sense of humor. With these simple tips, you’ll be able to hit the ground running and make the most of your experience.
More Than An Accessory
Here at PleinAir Magazine, we recently received a letter to the editor from reader Carolyn Counnas on protecting your eyes while painting en plein air. See what her tip is to keep your vision safe.
7 Tips for Painting the City
Just as you wouldn’t explore a new city without a map, don’t start your next cityscape without a plan for where you want to go and how you intend to get there.
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.
33 Special Highlights and Bonus Tips from Plein Air Live
Hundreds of artists gathered recently during Streamline's 2nd annual Plein Air Live, where they had front row seats to presentations and demonstrations from today's masters, such as Clyde Aspevig, Dawn Whitelaw, C.W. Mundy, Thomas Jefferson Kitts, Lori Putnam (who got a very special surprise!) and so many more.
Secrets of Painting a Nighttime Look
An award-winning artist, Nancie King Mertz has spent her lifetime painting in oil and pastel. Now, join Eric Rhoads with Nancie on this episode of Art School Live!
10 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 four artists have some witty ideas for making it an even better experience.
Go Small & 4 Other Quick Tips
Using a plein air setup on a photography tripod, Clare Bowen gave an oil demonstration at Plein Air Live 2023 while ...
Following a Classical Approach
Ryan S. Brown is a gifted young artist who has been offering classical training through the Center for Academic Study and Naturalist Painting (CAS)...
How to Protect Your Eyes from Snow Blindness
Jane Hunt's eyes ached when she recently painted a snow scene, so she tried to crowd-source a solution: She went to Facebook and asked...
Why This Works: Nailing the Values
In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and points out why they...
Where Will the Sun Come Up?
The answer to the question is undoubtedly the East, but where in relation to the place you are standing, and exactly when will it...
Why This Works: Breaking up the Horizontals
In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and points out why they...
Tips for Painting Cactus in the Tucson Area
- Bob Bahr reporting, Editor PleinAir Today -
Two Arizona painters — Matt Smith and Barbara Mulleneaux — discuss the challenges and joys of painting...
Why This Works: Dark-Light Pattern
- Jeanne Mackenzie reporting -
In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and...
Are You Good at Giving Critiques?
Terry Stanley, an artist and art industry veteran who launched the Jack Richeson School of Art and marketed its art materials before retiring, offers what she has learned about the art of the critique in this special feature.
Three Important Skills Every Landscape Painter Needs
Simply stated, when these three divisions are understood and put into practice, competent landscape paintings can happen.
Painting Architectural Subjects in the Landscape
Tempted to cover up an awkward part of your painting with a random landscape element? Find out why you shouldn't, and more great advice, in this guest blog post from outdoor painter Peggy Immel.
10 Drawing Principles That’ll Improve Your Paintings
Improve your drawing skills to achieve accurate placement and proportions in your paintings. The good news is that you don’t have to stop painting in order to improve your drawing; it’s not an either–or situation. Read on to shine a light on this challenge!
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.