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!

What a Watercolorist Who Wants to Paint Underwater Does

Bonnie Richardson knew she couldn’t paint with watercolors underwater when she was snorkeling or scuba diving, but she dearly wanted to. Oils were not...

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...

Surreal Clouds, Civil War-Era Barns, and Posterity

- Bob Bahr reporting, Editor PleinAir Today - Do you feel like you are capturing a disappearing world when you paint en plein air? Craig...

Why This Works: Intense Sun in a Relatively Low Key

- 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: Muted Chroma, Powerful 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 succeed as painted images. This week, Dana Zier’s “Pryor Overlook.”

How to Begin Teaching Art Workshops

Are you ready to start teaching art workshops? Christine Lashley shares the benefits of teaching, strategies you can use, how to find students, pitfalls to avoid, and more.
Color mixing for artists - John Pototschnik - OutdoorPainter.com

Can You Paint a Landscape with Just 3 Colors?

If not used with understanding, one’s use of color can make or break a painting. John Pototschnik explains.

Top 16 Unexpected Plein Air Art Supplies

Add some of these unexpected “supplies” to your stash to make painting more convenient, more fun, and perhaps, even more interesting.
6 Reasons Field Studies Are Priceless - OutdoorPainter.com

6 Reasons Field Studies Are Priceless

From illustrator to fine art painter since 1982, John Pototschnik shares his advice on the importance of field studies, which he says have “a value greater than any monetary reward.”
Color blocking in art demonstration

What Is Color Blocking in Art?

In this interview with Eric Rhoads, colorist Camille Przewodek explains why she stresses the importance of color blocking for artists, which she compares to practicing scales for musicians.
How to start a plein air group

How to Start a Plein Air Group, Part 1

We often hear of successful plein air painting societies and associations, but what if you don’t live ...
how to make watercolor paint

Can You Really Make Your Own Watercolor Paint?

If you want more vibrant and rich color with deeper darks from your watercolor, watch this episode of Art School Live with Eric Rhoads, as he welcomes guest artist Stewart White.
Landscape plein air painting by John Hughes

The Three Most Important Skills Plein Air Painters Need

Thoughts on what you should practice while plein air painting; a new guest blog post by John Hughes.