Millard Sheets at work in his watercolor studio at Barking Rocks

California Art Club Artists Discover Millard Sheets en Plein Air

Millard Sheets (1907-1989) was a renowned member of the California Art Club. The artist was a mentor and visionary, and leading proponent of ...
Plein air painting with gouache

PleinAir Reader Spotlight: Inspired by Gouache Live

The following is part of a series that spotlights an artist who loves painting outdoors. Today's feature is on Marian Fortunati.
Painting exercise - During COVID I painted a lot of roosters.

Painting Exercise: Familiarity Breeds Growth

Follow Lon Brauer's advice - and do this painting exercise - to move your work faster and farther down the road to success. 
First Place Overall: Paula Holtzclaw, "A Touch of Lace," oil, 16 x 20 in., PleinAir Salon

“So Many Lovely Attributes” in this Salon Winner

Natasha Isenhour has revealed her selections for the August 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...
Plein air painter Sasha Fair

Plein Air Today Reader Spotlight: Sasha Fair

The following is part of a series that spotlights an artist who loves painting outdoors. Today's feature is on Sasha Fair.
Kevin Barton, “The Big Bale,” 2023, oil, 36 x 48 in., Private collection, Plein air and studio

13 Heartland Landscapes

In this showcase, 13 contemporary plein air painters bring new life to that enduring narrative, offering fresh interpretations of the middle-American landscape.
PleinAir Magazine Oct/Nov 2025

What’s Inside: PleinAir Magazine October/November 2025

Discover the beauty and artistry of plein air painting in the October/November 2025 issue of PleinAir Magazine. Preview the contents of this issue here!
Richard Suckling, "Saint Jacques Study," 2024, pastel, 10 x 10 in., available from artist, plein air

A Saint Jacques Memento

"This simple study captures the spirit of the place more than a hastily taken cell phone snap ever could.”
Plein Air Convention - PACE - Kelly Kane, Christina Angelo, Molly Schmid

An Open Invitation

Whether you’re a painter or collector, you have an open invitation to the party. Plein air is not an exclusive club reserved for the elite; all who crave a greater relationship with the outdoors, a deeper understanding of light, or a closer connection to the art that hangs on their walls are welcome.
PleinAir Salon art competition - First Place Overall: J.M. Brodrick, “Southside,” acrylic, 30 x 24 in.

Salon Winner, Southside, is Simply Brilliant

Master artist Thomas W. Schaller has revealed his selections for the July 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...
Mia Jaworski and friends, plein air painting

My Favorite Place to Paint: New Hampshire

The following is part of a series that spotlights an artist who loves painting outdoors. Today's feature is on Mia Jaworski.
Artist Ned Mueller (Instagram: @nedmueller06)

Ned Mueller on His Life of Plein Air Painting

About 50 years ago, when I first got involved in doing plein air work, I would travel to great painting spots, camp out or get a motel, and paint every day for a week or two, making four or five paintings in a day, and later doing seven or eight plein air shows a year.

6 Things Your Future Artist Self Will Thank You For

Inspiration for Fall Color Week - a private painting retreat with PleinAir Magazine's Publisher, Eric Rhoads, September 28 - October 5, 2025.
Christopher North, “Masonville Sunset,” 2024, oil, 16 x 20 in., Available from Blue Moose Art Gallery, Fort Collins, CO, Studio from plein air study

13 Mighty Mountain Landscapes

In this showcase of mountain landscapes, 13 contemporary plein air painters capture the drama, mystery, and quiet majesty of the world’s ...
simplifying shapes - Acrylic landscape by Georgia Mansur

Art Snippet: On Simplifying Your Shapes and Massing

Painting from life will teach you how to see and paint light on forms and will make you learn to bring order to what is a seemingly overwhelming amount of detail and information in nature.
PleinAir Salon art competition - First Place Overall: Jen Starling, “Dreamscape,” Oil, 16x12 in.

The Almost Immediate Choice for Best in Show

Artist Larry Moore has revealed his selections for the June 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...
PleinAir Magazine August/September 2025

What’s Inside PleinAir Magazine, August/September ’25

Discover the beauty and artistry of plein air painting in the August/September 2025 issue of PleinAir magazine. Explore stunning landscapes, insightful artist features, practical painting tips, and the latest events in the plein air community.
Plein Air Today reader Marian Fortunati; The painting in this photo was juried into a show at the Santa Paula Art Museum which will hang from July 12 until November 9, 2025. The show is titled, “Celebrating Nature: Paintings by the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore. "I was lucky to have three paintings juried in to this show," Marian shared.

A Souvenir of Gratitude

The following is part of a series that spotlights an artist who loves painting outdoors. Today's feature is on Marian Fortunati.
Claude Monet, "Le Jardin de l’artiste à Giverny," 1900, oil on canvas, 32 x 36 1/2 in., Musée d’Orsay

Secret Spaces that Became Art: Giverny

Insights on the private gardens that inspired Claude Monet of the French Impressionists and those who followed in their footsteps.
Olena Babak, "Boathouse Cove," 2024, oil, 30 x 40 in., private collection, plein air - Paint for Preservation

Painting of the Week: “Boathouse Cove”

"My home state, Maine, holds a special place in my heart,” says Olena Babak. “Among its few plein air events, Cape Elizabeth’s Paint for Preservation has been ...