Free Mini-Lesson: Can You Use a Putty Knife for Painting?
Watch as Douglas Fryer shows you how to use an unconventional tool for painting, including how he "triple loads" it with color.
Watch: Painting Fall Foliage with a Palette Knife
In this Art School Live interview with Eric Rhoads, Melanie paints a fall landscape using only a palette knife.
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.
7 Tips for Painting Vibrant Color
Plein air painter and fourth-generation artist Jed Dorsey shares his tips for getting brilliant color into your next landscape painting.
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.
Practical Advice for Painting Clouds
Because the diversity of cloud paintings is so unexpected, we offer the following practical advice for painting clouds and skies.
7 Surprising Tricks for Painting en Plein Air
You might think you know all the tricks to the trade when it comes to painting en plein air, but these three artists have some witty ideas for making it an even better experience.
3 Ways to Show Perspective in a Landscape Painting
Perspective is more than just the way a road appears to get smaller as it recedes into the distance - learn more in this guest blog post from Michael Holter.
How to Create a Great Painting From an Imperfect Photo Reference
Plein air painter Shelby Keefe shows us how she took a lackluster photo reference and turned it into a painting with great design and color. BONUS: Keep reading to find out how you can win a set of artist oil paints from Grackle Studio!
9 Ways to Improve Your Quick Painting / Pochade Skills
Quick painting trains our reflexes and judgment; it improves the observation of the eyes and drawing skills of the hand.
Two Important Reasons to Practice Sketching From Life
Watercolor artist Shuang Li explains why sketching from life can have a big impact on your next painting.
5 Q&As About Water-Mixable Oils
Get the answers to common questions about painting with water-mixable oils, such as their working time, freezing, glazing, layering, and more.
How to Prepare for Plein Air Painting Competitions
If you're ready to participate in painting competitions, check out this important advice on what to bring, how to prepare, what to expect during the event, and what to do afterward.
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.
Nocturne Know-How: Paint a Halo of Light in Your Night Scene
Free mini-lesson on how to paint halos > Discover this tip from Carl Bretzke on how to paint a halo of glow around light at night.
7 Ways to Handle Details in a Mood Painting
From the Archives: What details should go in and how should you paint them? What should be left out? John MacDonald shares his expert suggestions.
Demo: Evoking a Mood in a Landscape Painting
See how Nancy Nowak creates a landscape painting that's full of emotion in this three-step demonstration from Plein Air Magazine.
2 Quick Tips: No-Frills Advice for Landscape Painters
"You will learn far more from your failures than you will from your successes. You will always remember ..."
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!
Highlights from the 3rd Annual Plein Air Live
Enjoy a recap of Plein Air Live, an unforgettable event for artists of all levels and styles of painting, with a focus on the landscape.