250 Years of Tradition
This special collector edition of PleinAir Magazine is an invitation to explore American landscapes through the eyes of the artists who have painted them, loved them, questioned them, and helped define them.
The Complexity and Nuance of “Standing Tall”
Ellen Howard was an invited artist and VIP at this year's Desert Plein Air Competition. Here, she shares her inspiration for the two paintings she entered, and her gratitude for the plein air community.
Why I Paint With Acrylics en Plein Air
After painting with watercolor for two decades, Marc Grandbois shares why acrylic painting fills his needs for painting on location, and how it's the "perfect bridge."
Plein Air Paintings of Cincinnati’s Union Terminal
Marlene Steele's plein air paintings document the renovation of the historic Cincinnati Union Terminal and celebrate traditional trades in the revitalization of the Art Deco train station now known as the Cincinnati Museum Center.
The Power of Black, White, and Gray
Inspired by Southeast Asia, Bob Masla explores watercolor, Sumi-e, and Notan studies that reveal the strength of values, brushwork, and design.
10-Minute Thumbnail Sketch Challenge: Lay of the Land
With it being in the heart of winter and in the midst of unpredictable weather, it's the perfect time to cozy up with a cup of coffee and get out your sketchbook, favorite drawing utensil, and a timer.
AI and the Invasion of the Art Snatchers
Making art is a revelatory experience that requires wrestling with principles and practices involved in painting a canvas which reveals the quality of expression that comes as the hard-won physical product of who we are as human beings known as artists. So, what do we gain as artists who use AI, and what are we willing to lose?
What’s Inside: PleinAir Magazine February/March 2026
This issue features the 2026 Artists' Guide to Workshops, Schools, and Ateliers; National Park Service Art Collections; Immigrant Stories; and ...
11 Winter Wonderlands
Winter landscape paintings captivate us with their serene beauty, transforming the familiar into scenes of quiet wonder.
From Pages to Pixels: Celebrating 15 Years of PleinAir Magazine
One of the greatest benefits of this community is the connection it fosters — artists from all over the world engaging with one another, often through something as simple as a comment on a blog or social media post.
Painting a Nocturne? Be Mindful of This
I took the painting as far as I could on location, then I packed up my gear and loaded it into the trunk of my car...
5 Ways to Overcome Challenges of Painting in Winter
Plein air oil painter Melanie Barash Levitt loves painting in winter. Here, she shares how oil painters in particular can make it a successful practice.
10 Tiny Treasures
Working on a surface 12 x 16 inches or smaller allows artists to respond quickly to shifting light and fleeting moments. Quick doesn’t mean easy, though ...
Meet the Artist Behind Our Holiday Greeting Cards
Meet Sam Paonessa, an active member of the Streamline Publishing PleinAir community. Since 2021, Sam has been painting the holiday greeting cards you see from Eric Rhoads and our team each year.
Announcement: The October PleinAir Salon Winner Is …
Elaine Adams, Director of American Legacy Fine Arts, has revealed her selections for the October 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...
What’s Inside: PleinAir Magazine December 2025 / January 2026
Published bi-monthly, PleinAir Magazine is focused on landscape paintings by historical and contemporary artists, art collections, events, and the process of creating plein air paintings. Beautifully...
Fifteen Years and Counting
Anniversaries invite reflection — a moment to pause, take stock, and appreciate how far we’ve come. With this issue, we celebrate a special milestone: PleinAir Magazine’s 15th anniversary.
Gifts for Artists: Your 2025 Holiday Shopping Guide
This list has it all: gorgeous frames, beautiful paints, and a special section of gifts under $50!
Plein Air Watercolor – From Marrakech to the Mountains
Tag along with this popular watercolor instructor as she guides you through Africa’s largest urban market, an ancient mountaintop fortress, and the sandy beaches of a popular beach resort, and introduces you to the people and cultural traditions of Morocco.
Plein Air Today Reader Spotlight: Jack McGowan
The following is part of a series that spotlights an artist who loves painting outdoors. Today's feature is on the President of the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, Jack McGowan.