The Only Way to Improve Your Art
... "And I learned to accept the convoluted process I personally need to go through to finally say 'YES!' to new opportunities."
Why Bother Doing Color Studies?
Color is always shifting for plein air painters. What to do? Gavin Glakas explains how he uses color studies when "chasing the light."
What Exactly is Normal?
Representational painter and plein air artist Johanne Mangi is known internationally for her animal and floral fine art. When we asked her if she had any unusual habits as a painter, she had these gems to share.
Awake at Night: Painting Nocturnes
When painting nocturnes in urban areas, I’ve had all kinds of encounters with ...
Pro Tips for Using Water-Mixable Oils
If you have questions about how to use water-mixable oils, start here with this Q&A from Christine Lashley.
How Light Affects Your White
Understanding how to paint the light is a common conversation topic for plein air artists, and it’s one that came up during a special talk led by ...
Watercolor Tip: How to Make Splatters with a Paintbrush
"Many people use a toothbrush, but a toothbrush makes the spatters too even for me," says Richard Sneary. Here's his quick tip on how to make natural-looking marks with watercolor.
Demo: Establishing a Strong Underpainting
Check out a short and simple landscape painting demo that focuses on the underpainting part of the process.
Painting Waves and Waterfalls – With Intention and Improv
In addition to technique, your intention and ability to improvise play a key role in painting waterfalls and waves, and in creativity.
What Is Color Relativity?
In this Art School Live interview with Eric Rhoads, Kami Mendlik shares one of her biggest secrets: how in any medium, with any painting, you can bring your paintings alive with light.
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.
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.
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.
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 ..."