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!

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...

McGurl on Past Masters: Sir Arthur Streeton

In this series, noted painter Joseph McGurl discusses plein air paintings by past masters that he finds instructive or inspiring. This week: Sir Arthur...

Why This Works: Finessing Values in a Backlit 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...

McGurl on Past Masters: Sanford R. Gifford

In this series, noted painter Joseph McGurl discusses plein air paintings by past masters that he finds instructive or inspiring. This week: Sanford R....

Well-Traveled Artist Offers Do’s and Don’ts for Events

Michael Chesley Johnson has been around, and he's seen a lot. And he has advice for artists participating in plein air events and for...

McGurl on Past Masters: William Trost Richards

In this series, noted painter Joseph McGurl discusses plein air paintings by past masters that he finds instructive or inspiring. This week: a sketch...

Why This Works: Muting Sunlit Area to Showcase Focal Point

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: Aldro Hibbard

In this series, noted painter Joseph McGurl discusses plein air paintings by past masters that he finds instructive or inspiring. This week: "Vermont Winter...

Why This Works: Weight on the Side Offsets Dead-Center Vanishing Point

In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and points out why they...

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...

McGurl on Past Masters: Andrew Wyeth

In this series, noted painter Joseph McGurl discusses plein air paintings by past masters that he finds instructive or inspiring. This week: "Benjamin's House,"...

What’s the Salon Judge Looking for in Your Painting?

The excitement is building as April approaches and one Grand Prize winner is to be announced in the PleinAir Salon, earning $15,000 and international...

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,"...

Why This Works: Beautiful, Simple Design

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: Unknown Provincetown Artist

In this series, noted painter Joseph McGurl discusses plein air paintings by past masters that he finds instructive or inspiring. This week: an unknown...

Why This Works: Light and Life in the Shadows

In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and points out why they...

Why This Works: Complementary Colors and Lost Edges

In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and points out why they...

How to Go About Plein Air Painting in Sicily

Ever seen a painter's guide to Sicily? Jack Hannula hasn't, and he is dumbfounded by that. Why?  Jack Hannula in...

McGurl on Past Masters: Corot’s “The Bridge at Narni”

In this series, noted painter Joseph McGurl discusses plein air paintings by past masters that he finds instructive or inspiring. This week: Corot's "The...

Building a Better Hibbard Mitt

Wisconsin painter Lynn M. Rix was highly motivated to improve upon the Aldro Hibbard painting mitt she read about last year. "I have had...