Recycle Your Laptop as a Plein Air Box
Not sure what to do with that old laptop computer no one can repair or upgrade? Arizona artist Karen McLain came up with a...
How to Paint Landscapes: Details vs. Design
When you first arrive at your next plein air site, keep this advice in mind and you’ll be in a good position to create an effective landscape painting.
Simplifying a Painting
“We all recognize the importance of editing, but that is just one of many ways to deal with simplification,” says Keiko Tanabe. “Other than deciding what to leave in and what to leave out, what else can we do?”
Why This Works: A Story of Scale, and Rays Stealing the Show
- Jeanne Mackenzie reporting -
In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and...
Painting Basics: Understanding Value
“All of us, beginners and experienced painters alike, can benefit from a refresher course in the bedrock principles of value and color.” John MacDonald explains more in this overview.
Getting Just a Bit More Height
Do you keep bed risers in your car? Evidently, plein air warrior Williamson Tapia does. Tapia was competing in the Sedona...
New Watercolor Demo: Focus on Big Shapes and Contrasts
The following is part of a series featuring a leader in the art community who will be joining us on the faculty of Watercolor Live ...
A Plein Air Painting Step-by-Step: Passing Fancy
Pastel artist Nancie King Mertz shares how she created a recent landscape with a unique composition in this step-by-step demonstration.
Why This Works: Using Edges to Guide the Viewer’s Eyes
- Jeanne Mackenzie reporting -
In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and...
The Skinny on iPad Plein Air Studies
Paul Zegers used his iPad to sketch scenes while on a vacation. Here’s what he had to say about the iPad as a tool...
OPPORTUNITY: Plein Air in Jasper, IN
Registration has begun for the second annual Plein Air & Quick Draw event in Jasper, Indiana.
Lead Image: A participant in last year’s plein...
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.
Why This Works: Grouping and Designing Trees Into Shapes
In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and points out why they...
Change Your Brush, Change Your Look
Los Angeles artist Mike Hernandez switched brushes and found that the change in shape meant interesting brushwork and developments in his paintings.
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?
Fresh Off the Easel of Lori Putnam
See a landscape painting come to life step-by-step in this behind-the-scenes look into Lori Putnam’s recent painting, “Downtown Charlotte.”
Why This Works: X Marks the Resting Spot
In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and points out why they succeed as painted images. This week, Jean-Pierre Jacquet’s “Benched.”
Why Fall Is a Good Time to Get Looser
Arkansas painter Dave Butler has been painting looser lately, and it’s no coincidence that this is happening as the leaves are turning vibrant colors....
Why This Works: A Mass of Trees Without Undue Repetition
In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and points out why they...
McGurl on Past Masters: Sargent’s “Atlantic Storm”
In this new series, noted painter Joseph McGurl discusses plein air paintings by past masters that he finds instructive or inspiring. This week: John...