Advantages of Acrylic and Plein Air
The qualities of acrylic don't have to be a disadvantage en plein air. How?
Sorolla and Painting the Color of Light
What makes a Sorolla a Sorolla? Any time two or more outdoor painters get together to talk about this master artist, they always agree on this one thing.
How to Paint Beaches: Nail the Illusion of Distance, Light, and Atmosphere
The key to an effective plein air beach scene is to keep it simple — and that goes for your equipment, your palette, and your subject.
Painting Landscapes: Why Draw? Let’s Just Paint.
You don’t actually have to learn drawing techniques if you’re painting landscapes, right? John Pototschnik shares his insights.
Joseph McGurl on Contrasting Edges
"What I’m trying to do is paint the appearance of nature, the experience of looking at it," McGurl explains. Learn more, and see what's in his landscape painting toolkit!
In Deep Water
Don't find yourself in deep water when it comes to painting elements like rivers and streams. In this Art School Live with Eric Rhoads, Kathleen Hudson takes us through a demo on how to paint moving water.
Tutorial: Don’t Underestimate the Underpainting
Richard McKinley takes us through a step-by-step tutorial of painting with pastel over a watercolor underpainting.
Understanding Paint Tube Labels
Learn to decipher the codes, names, and symbols printed on your tubes of paint, and discover what they mean for you and what you’re trying to achieve in your work.
Why This Works: Low Key Painting, High Chromatic Light
This series returns, with plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie taking a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and pointing out why...
McGurl on Past Masters: Dennis Miller Bunker
In this series, noted painter Joseph McGurl discusses plein air paintings by past masters that he finds instructive or inspiring. This week: "Beached Boat,"...
Dunphy’s Top Ten
Kathleen Dunphy helps many artists through her workshops, and one gem from her instruction recently made the rounds in social media. She agreed to share...
Parting Shot: Painting Into the Sun, Part II
Brian Keeler knew what he wanted to paint when he set out with his easel one day this summer in Acadia National Park in...
Handy Guide Helps You Sketch in Right Proportions
- Bob Bahr reporting, Editor PleinAir Today -
Kentucky artist Kathleen B. Hudson finds that preliminary sketches really help with her final paintings, but she...
Why This Works: A Sense of Space
- Jeanne Mackenzie reporting -
In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and...
Why This Works: Leading the Viewer Into and Around the Scene
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, Chaya Schapiro.
Why This Works: Quiet Solidness, Good Light Source Info
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, Fen Rascoe’s “Waiting on a Truck.”
The 6B Graphite Pencil: An Essential Drawing Tool
Toolbox tip: Learn about the drawing tool that Michael Chesley Johnson says is essential for plein air artists.
How to Enter Your First Plein Air Event and Survive!
Applying to and participating in your first juried plein air event can be an overwhelming experience, but the rewards both professionally and personally are undeniable.
Visionary Work: 7 Ways to Develop Creativity
Good news: You don't have to sacrifice your personal expression for the sake of learning the principles of art. Here's how to maintain your unique artistic voice.
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.