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!

Finding the perfect place to paint

3 Considerations for Finding the Perfect Place to Paint

A plein air painter shares her quick and dirty tips for finding the perfect place to paint, above ground or below!
Plein air painting in Chicago

Plein Air Painting and Personal Safety

This could save your life > Get expert tips from a Chicago artist on how plein air painters can be safe while painting outdoors in public spaces.
Eric Rhoads during "Plein Air Gear" on Beginner's Day

How to Fly with Art Supplies

Artists have many questions when it comes to traveling with art supplies - we have your answers.
Artist Joseph McGurl painting en plein air

Joseph McGurl: You Know You’re An Artist When …

Joseph McGurl shares five secret practices that might seem off-the-wall to others, but have become completely normal for him.
7 Tips for Improving a Landscape Painting Composition

7 Tips for Improving a Landscape Painting Composition

In this free article, score Dan Marshall's tips, plus three case studies on landscape painting composition.

What to Know About Painting Snow

Eight top artists help break down the important elements to capturing snow-covered landscapes in pastel and oil.
Landscape painting by Bill Davidson

Glow, Energy, Texture: How to Paint Landscapes Step by Step Demo

How to Paint Landscapes > Learn how to quickly accomplish a glowing, magical atmosphere in paintings with this free step-by-step demo from Bill Davidson ("How to Paint Glowing Landscapes" on PaintTube.TV).
How to start a plein air group

The Challenges of Starting a Plein Air Group

In a recent newsletter, we shared advice on how to start a plein air group; but with anything that’s worth doing, challenges are to be ...
Jim Wodark, "Spring Trail," 2019, oil, 6 x 12 in. Collection the artist Plein air

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 ...
Lori McNee uses water-mixable oils

Q&A: How to Use Water-Mixable Oils

In this excerpt from Plein Air Magazine, Lori McNee ("Luminous Landscape Painting" on PaintTube.TV) answers four reader questions about how to use water-mixable oils.
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 ...
Jane Hunt painting en plein air

Surprising Things 7 Pro Painters Do

Over the years, we have shared plenty of traditional tips for painting outdoors, such as how to develop the right composition when there’s a...
How to paint like Monet - “Flowers at Sunset” by Camille Przewodek

How to Paint Like Monet: Understanding Light Keys

Immediate spoiler: There isn’t a formula for learning how to paint like Monet. But as Camille Przewodek explains, it’s a way of thinking ...
How to ship paintings

How Do the Pros Ship Paintings?

There comes a time in an artist’s career when she or he needs to ship paintings across the country for an exhibition. What is the best way to do this?
how to paint with pastels

Secrets of Painting a Nighttime Look

An award-winning artist, Nancie King Mertz has spent her lifetime painting in oil and pastel. Now, join Eric Rhoads with Nancie on this episode of Art School Live!
Plein air watercolor how-to

Not Idle in Winter: Stewart White and Plein Air Watercolor

On plein air watercolor > Baltimore painter and PleinAir Salon Grand Prize winner Stewart White tells us what he does in the winter to keep...
Painting palm trees - Jeff Markowsky at OutdoorPainter.com

Plein Air Artist Jeff Markowsky on Painting Palm Trees

With summer now around the bend, perhaps you’ll have the pleasure of painting palms in your future, and this advice will help you do so.
Plein air landscape by Ken Auster

No Jumping!

In this painting tip of the day, learn why you shouldn't "jump around," for yourself and those viewing your painting.
A scene from Brenda Boylan's upcoming video workshop on how to paint with pastels

3 Ways to Paint with Pastels Safely

Don't let your fear of pastel dust stop you from using this colorful and versatile medium. Brenda Boylan shares three tips for painting with pastels - safely.

You Have Your Color Study … Now What?

In this episode of Art School Live with Eric Rhoads, Gavin Glakas shares a demo on how to detail a plein air color study. Don't miss it!