Mastering Hollyhocks in Watercolor: A Tip for Crisp, Fresh Paintings
Painting hollyhocks looks simple to paint at first, but the characteristic leaves and stalks can be a challenge. I find watercolor the best medium for capturing their crisp edges and shapes.
Blank Surface to Beautiful Blossoms: A Step-by-Step Pastel Painting Demo
Follow this step-by-step pastel painting demo to create vibrant landscapes with depth and harmony. Learn tips on sketching, color choices, and layering techniques!
Painting a Winter Scene
Snow has its challenges to be sure, but the rewards outweigh the discomfort when it comes to painting a winter scene en plein air.
A Peek at the Plein Air Sessions from Watercolor Live
The 5th Annual Watercolor Live came to an end recently, wrapping up with even more of today’s best watercolor artists sharing all of their secrets, explaining their materials, methods, and more.
Large-Scale Painting Techniques: 3 Problems and How I Solved Them
Explore the art of going big with this insightful case study-driven advice for large-scale painting techniques from plein air painter Christine Lashley.
Creating a Soft Effect in a Landscape Painting
Discover the step-by-step process Shanna Kunz uses to create her atmospheric landscape paintings. From building a strong composition with grids to adding subtle textures with sandpaper, explore how she balances color, value, and detail to bring her art to life.
Free Painting Lesson: Marking Light and Shade
Discover the art of capturing light and shadow with Heather Arenas in this free painting lesson. In her vibrant work "St. Armands Circle Corner," Heather shares how she builds her compositions from bold shapes, thoughtfully balancing warm sunlight and cool shadows.
My Biggest Stumbling Block as a Plein Air Painter
A quick tip to help you discover the transformative strategy that will elevate your plein air painting - learn from over 40 years of experience to create more ...
Gifts for Artists: Your 2024 Holiday Shopping Guide
This list has it all: gorgeous frames, beautiful paints, and a special section of gifts under $50!
Why I Chose Acrylic Over Watercolor
My first love is transparent watercolor on rag paper. But I realized some years ago that using watercolor on site takes not only practice but ...
Pep Talk: The Value of Field Studies
Motivation for the most important learning activity a landscape painter will ever engage in.
Landscape Painting Demo: Designing for Balance
View four stages of a pastel landscape painting demo done en plein air, including the color Tony Allain chooses to indicate a brightly lit area in the background.
Hard Not to Fall in Love Once You Touch It
Highlights from the Pastel Live virtual art conference, taking place now through Friday evening, September 20, 2024, with attendees from 14 countries, 49 states!
How I Painted a Twilight Scene of the Smithsonian Castle
What started as a night painting in my mind — and on my panel — became a twilight painting once the lights didn’t go on.
Free Lesson: How to Escalate Your Paintings
In this episode of Art School Live with special guest host Debra Huse, we welcome Bill Davidson as we explore the magic of shapes, design, and values.
Free Art Lesson: Painting Reflections in Water
In this episode of Art School Live with Eric Rhoads, we invite Stan Miller to lead us through a free lesson on how to paint realistic water.
Pastel Painting Demo: How to Create Crashing Waves
Join art publisher Eric Rhoads on Art School Live as he gives you free art instruction in pastel painting with artist Lyn Diefenbach.
It Gets Better and Better: Highlights from Plein Air Live
The 5th Annual Plein Air Live wrapped up after several days of camaraderie, workshops, paint-along sessions, and learning from the masters. Today's demos featured Amit Kapoor, Beth Bathe, Kimball Geisler, Charlie Hunter, and Kevin Macpherson.
An Aha Moment, Every Time
Preview expert presentations from Natasha Isenhour, Roos Schuring, Tim Horn, John Budicin, Shuang Li, and even Don Demers at Plein Air Live, Day 2.
We Can’t Imagine Life Without It
On Day 1 (Wednesday) of Plein Air Live this year, we had front-row seats for painting demonstrations from Shanna Kunz, Tom Hughes, Nicholas O'Leary, Marc Anderson, Rich Gallego, and Mary Garrish.