7 Oil Painting Ideas for Artists
We've put together some of our most popular articles with oil painting ideas and techniques for all levels of artists. Bookmark this page so you can come back often, and share it with a friend who could benefit from this!
How to Get Published in Plein Air Today
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Watch: Secrets of Sketching en Plein Air
In case you missed it, check out this interview below with Paul Kratter, who demonstrates helpful techniques for sketching en plein air.
What Can You Do With Broken Pastels?
Learn how to make new pastels out of your broken pastel sticks in this Art School Live session with Brenda Boylan and Eric Rhoads.
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.
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...
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...
What Will the Salon Judge Be Looking For?
Many artists think they gain an edge by knowing who the judge for a competition is and what they generally look for in an...
Why This Works: Secondary Triads, Saturated Color, and Harmony
In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and points out why they...
Pursuing Artful Simplicity
Ernie Dollman’s work shows an aesthetic that appreciates simplicity. We asked him how he achieves success in boiling down scenes to their essence. Here’s...
7 Things to Remember When Marketing Art Online
- Bob Bahr reporting, Editor PleinAir Today -
Dave Geada has examined hundreds of artist websites as part of his job as master of marketing...
Why This Works: It’s All About Composition
- 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: Aerial Perspective and a Good Lead-In
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, Paul Keysar’s “Bath County Fog.”
3 Supplies For Your Plein Air Oil Toolkit
Think you’ve got your plein air oil supply list nailed down? Think again. Landscape painter John Crump takes the myth out of some plein air oil painting conventional wisdom. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in plein air painting, you might be surprised by some of his hard-won findings.
A Great Painting Always Comes Down to This
Quite frankly, these elements are the glue that holds every good painting together and, conversely, is the reason some paintings fall apart!
6 Ways to Silence Your Inner (Art) Critic
Don’t let your inner critic sabotage you — instead, learn how to cultivate it into self-compassion. See how in this guest post from an artist / psychologist.
13 Ways to Get the Most out of Any Painting Workshop
Take advantage of the art workshops you attend — don’t wind up returning home, only to paint the same way you always have in the past. John Hughes shares tips for your next workshop.
Shapes Before Subject
What makes a painting successful at the finish might just be what you do at the start. Check out these underpaintings and advice from Barbara Jaenicke, who is on the Pastel Live faculty!
Free Landscape Painting Demo: Establishing Value and Design at the Start
In this landscape painting demo, Jim Wodark walks you through how to paint a beautiful landscape, starting with a thumbnail sketch and ...
Plein Air Practice: Achieve Better Designs By Doing This Now
Try these exercises at home to sharpen your plein air skills, and create better designs on the spot.