Can You Finish a Plein Air Painting in the Studio?
Take a look as I walk you through a study that served its intended purpose as a plein air painting demo, but needed more refinements in order to make it a piece that I could be proud of and take to a gallery.
Richard McKinley: When Alla Prima Just Feels Right
"The coastal cliffs at Goleta Beach, California, are one of those painting sites that I call 'an old friend'," says Richard McKinley...
A Design Technique That Stopped a Painter in Her Tracks
The paint was still drying on Brenda Boylan’s five-foot-wide landscape when she took a few minutes to chat with me about her most recent work. Learn how the painting came to be, including the design concept she discovered and applied when she was halfway through the piece.
A Window Into the Canyon
Colorado artist Joshua Been recently posted a video on YouTube that offers something for painters, new collectors, and folks just interested in seeing intrepid...
From Plein Air Magazine: The More We Know
The new issue of Plein Air Magazine celebrates top painters who opt for pastels. In addition to sharing a passion for the work, the featured artists demystify pastels, busting myths about their versatility and longevity.
Get “Past the Nerves” at a Plein Air Event
If you’ve ever felt nervous when settling into a plein air event, you’ll appreciate this story of how “Corner at the Plaza” came to be.
Words of Wisdom with C.W. Mundy
I’ve been known to tell my students, “You’ll never know how far left is or how far right is until you hang out on a limb.” In other words ...
The 10 Best Plein Air Sites
I was asked by the travel editor of a national publication to identify the top 10 painting locations favored by plein air artists. I immediately asked my friends on Facebook what their choices would include, and I received hundreds of recommendations.
Dramatic Skies in 15 Minutes
Doing a drawing exercise for even a few minutes a day can make a difference in both your comfort level and skills. So get out your sketchbook and favorite drawing utensil, and draw away during this 15-minute montage of amazing skies.
Reader Spotlight: Ange Nevicosi Staner
"I love working vacations," says Plein Air Today reader Ange Nevicosi Staner. "Last fall I had a great opportunity to enjoy a girl's trip to ...
Kelly Kane’s Pick of the Week: Into the Light
Kelly Kane, Editor-in-Chief of Plein Air Magazine, shares a favorite painting. This week's feature is “Into the Light” by Molly Lipsher.
Memorial to Tom Heinsohn, Basketball Star and Artist
Tom Heinsohn's "painting buddy" shares a warm tribute to the man he knew as a plein air painter who taught him many memorable lessons.
How Artists Are Coping with Self-Isolation
As the country slowly begins to open up in different ways, we’re curious - how have you been coping with self-isolation? Here are ways some of your peers have gotten through the past couple of months.
The Benefits of Painting on Location with Other Artists
Landscape painting has sometimes been jokingly referred to as a “loner sport," but when artists come together something like magic happens. See how ...
Kelly Kane’s Pick of the Week: Twisted Tree Trail
Kelly Kane, Editor-in-Chief of Plein Air Magazine, shares a favorite painting. This week's feature is “Twisted Tree Trail” by Jim Wodark.
6 Composition Books for Artists
We asked, and you answered! In this roundup, we're sharing your favorite composition books for artists.
My Favorite Place to Paint: The Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains
With amazing vistas and sparkling clear lakes, the subject never disappoints. I especially relate to ...
What You Have in Common with Every Artist You Admire
If you've ever thought that you don't have enough talent to be a great artist, read this advice - and then pick up your brush.
Snow in SoCal
Forget the old question about whether it rains in Southern California. Does it snow? Terry d. Chacon is here to tell you “yes,” and...
The Art of Plein Air Painting
PleinAir magazine Editor-in-Chief M. Stephen Doherty has authored a new book scheduled for release on September 5, 2017. Find out which artists are included and the topics considered.