Shuang Li - Basic Washes and Special Effects

Special Highlights and Bonus Tips from Watercolor Live

Artists from Texas to Tanzania, Scotland, Thailand, and beyond (40 countries represented in total), participated in Watercolor Live. See what you missed or relive favorite moments in this recap.
Plein air painting of a garden

5 Gardens and Green Spaces

Today’s painters continue to find joy and inspiration in gardens and green spaces of every description. Here are five paintings to celebrate this beautiful subject.

Using Architectural Elements for Contrast

San Diego artist Danny Griego finds that incorporating “urban line” in his paintings makes them much stronger — and mimics the way many of...

Rest in Peace, Landscape Painter Greg LaRock

"His spirit lives on in those of us who knew and loved him and in his timeless and beautiful paintings."
“Death Falls, Raquette Lake” (watercolor, 16 x 14 in.) by Sarah Yeoman

Sarah Yeoman: Why I’m an Artist Today

"The Adirondacks have long been an important part of my life,” says Sarah Yeoman. “For over 60 years I’ve spent my summers being ...
Watercolor landscape paintings - OutdoorPainter.com

Kelly Kane’s Pick of the Week: Nagore Dargha Sheriff

In this series, Kelly Kane, Editor-in-Chief of PleinAir Magazine, shares a favorite painting from a previous issue.
Michelle Usibelli, “Beach Cottages”

Kelly Kane’s Pick of the Week: Beach Cottages

In this weekly series Kelly Kane, Editor-in-Chief of Plein Air Magazine, shares a favorite painting from the current issue.
Plein air convention Paint-out

The Fastest Possible Way to Become a Plein Air Painter

A note for new or inexperienced plein air painters only.
Plein air oil painting

Kelly Kane’s Pick of the Week: Sunflowers in the Garden

In this weekly series Kelly Kane, Editor-in-Chief of Plein Air Magazine, shares a favorite painting from a previous issue.
Plein air painting by Molly Lipsher

Kelly Kane’s Pick of the Week: Scuze Me While I Kiss the Sky

In this weekly series Kelly Kane, Editor-in-Chief of Plein Air Magazine, shares a favorite painting from the current issue.
Joshua Cunningham, "The Way Back," 2022, oil, 24 x 36 in., available from artist, plein air;  featured in PleinAir Magazine (June/July 2023 issue)

From PleinAir Magazine: Where Inspiration Strikes

I hope that no matter where you find inspiration this summer, the tips and advice in this issue will help make the experience more fruitful and more enjoyable.
Painting en plein air - OutdoorPainter.com

Fish, Bears, Horses, and Artists

Do you have a bucket list? This artist did, and it included taking an unforgettable trip to paint en plein air throughout the wild West. See his photo journal here, and be inspired.
Plein Air artists on Instagram - OutdoorPainter.com

Plein Air Artists to Follow on Instagram

Our team came up with the following list of Instagram accounts for artists — especially plein air artists! — that you’ll love seeing in your feed.
Brenda Boylan with her new painting, "A Secret Place"

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.
Dave Santillanes, "Sedona Light, 2019, oil, 32 x 24 in., Private collection, Studio from plein air studies

I’m Not Ignoring Composition, But …

Aside from demonstrating a command of color and brushwork, the work of Dave Santillanes has a strong pull on the viewer for a reason a bit harder to nail down.
Tara Will, “Deepdene Sparkle,” 2019, pastel, 24 x 24 in., Private collection, Plein air

Kelly Kane’s Pick of the Week: Deepdene Sparkle

Kelly Kane, Editor-in-Chief of Plein Air Magazine, shares a favorite painting and artist quote. This week's feature is "Deepdene Sparkle" by Tara Will.

We Say Goodbye to Joe Anna Arnett

Joe Anna Arnett, distinguished artist, died on the evening of February 3, 2024, at her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after a long battle with cancer.
Brenda Boylan, “Under & Over,” 2019, oil, 9 x 12 in., Available from artist, Plein air

Kelly Kane’s Pick of the Week: “Under and Over”

Kelly Kane, Editor-in-Chief of Plein Air Magazine, shares a favorite painting and artist quote. This week's feature is "Under and Over" by Brenda Boylan.
How to paint landscapes

Transcending the Landscape: John A. Varriano

This New York State oil painter, a figure drawing instructor at New York City’s famed Art Students League, works to go beyond pictorial reportage of the landscape and express something more.