Impasto Much?
Kansas City artist Olga Hotujac paints on location, modifies the canvas in the studio, and returns to the location for more work as needed....
Painting in a Nice Spot — and Winning
Port Wing, Wisconsin, a town of around 350 people, a place that says on its signs that it’s about “Fishing, Farming, and Forestry,” is...
Why This Works: Secondary Triads, Muted Tertiary Tones
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: Strong Value Statements
- 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: Simplified Shapes, Effective Supporting Players
- Jeanne Mackenzie reporting -
In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and...
Unsticking the Stuck Student
Artist and art industry veteran Terry Stanley has some advice for art instructors who encounter creatively blocked students.
Become a Better Landscape Painter
Probably the same thing that challenged my progress as an aspiring artist many years ago, and the same thing that holds a lot of art students back: preconceived notions about the painting process. That was the short answer. Now for the long answer. I am going to attempt to tackle that question in a circuitous route, but one that hopefully will connect with the reader.
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.
Impressionism, Sorolla, and the Color of Light
Seeing, understanding, and learning how to use color temperature in your work can elevate a so-so painting into a work of art.
Advice for Artists: 10 Ways to Take New Risks
Why is taking risks so important for our growth as artists, especially when it comes to confidence? Jed Dorsey explains in this excerpt from “The Confident Artist.”
101 Watercolor Painting Ideas, Tips, and Techniques – A Free Guide
Want to learn how to paint with watercolor? Don't think you have the talent or skill? We can teach anyone to paint - start with this free guide that's full of watercolor painting ideas.
Quick Art Lesson: How to Fix Your Painting
In this 3-minute video, watch as Cindy Baron shows you how to turn a "dud" into a salvageable painting.
Does Your Plein Air Painting Experience Need a Recharge?
Mary Longe explains why you should consider a competitive plein air event, including the various types, common elements, and what not to do.
Free Painting Demo > How to Create Atmosphere
In this free painting demo, Kathleen Hudson takes us through 8 steps to creating a beautiful plein air painting of waves crashing on a rocky beach.
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.
Using Black and Red to Work on Greens
Brian Brigham was not satisfied with the darks in his plein air pastels, so he took a novel approach: He worked on a black...
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...
Know the Judges at Your Competition
Many artists find it useful to know who is judging their work at a given competition. The PleinAir Salon has announced its judges for...
Running a Workshop: Part I — Planning and Preparation
This is the first in a three-part series in which Cindy Briggs and Theresa Goesling share their expertise on running painting workshops overseas —...
Avoiding Lyme Disease, a Plein Air Painter’s Nemesis
“Many people who have had Lyme disease are terrified of going outdoors again.” That’s Deborah Lazar, a Vermont artist and a victim of Lyme disease, explaining why you and all of your plein air painting friends want to avoid this affliction. How? Lazar has some tips.