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Extreme Plein Air

Extreme Plein Air

Jack McGowan painting in winter in plein air

Popsicle Plein Air Painting

Who says you can only paint outdoors in warm weather? If you put together the right equipment and have a bit of adventurous spirit, this is a way to find new inspiration. Here's how one New Mexico artist does it.

Chasing Fragile Dreams

Come walk with me as I remember one of my dreams and how I chased it. It is a dream that led me, along with my painting gear, all the way to the southern tip of South America.
William Wood - painting in an airplane

En Plein Air, In the Air

How plein air painter William Wood was tasked with a challenge of great heights, and the difference it will make for science.
plein air painting vacation - New Zealand with Eric Rhoads

An Exotic Location for Plein Air

Join us for a painting vacation this September > This is a very exclusive trip for those who expect the best possible experiences.
Plein air painter Randall Cogburn

A 260-Mile Plein Air Relay

Is it possible to participate in two distant plein air events in the same week? This ambitious artist pushes the limits to find out. Bonus: Includes a list of tips for your next plein air event!
Stock Schlueter and Paul Rickard, "on top of the world"

Bhutan: A Painter’s Dream

Stock Schlueter shares a day-by-day adventure of traveling to the remote land of Bhutan to paint en plein air for an entire month.
Extreme plein air painting - Amanda Morettini - OutdoorPainter.com

Why I Paint Landscapes From the Side of Cliff

This 23-year-old painter has figured out how to take her easel up the side of cliffs and through the branches of giant redwoods to dizzying heights. Here’s why.
Paul Kratter sketches the unique shapes of the trees at the Mala Mala Game Reserve.

Into Africa: Painting with Gouache en Plein Air

Follow along as Paul Kratter shares his plein air adventures of painting with gouache on safari.
Plein air painting at the beach

Making a Splash While Plein Air Painting

One of the things that makes plein air painting so enjoyable is that it’s full of adventure...
Emilie Lee painting en plein air

Diving Into Plein Air

It’s hard for a lot of artists to “take the plunge” into full-time painting, let along taking up art in the first place. However, this story is about as extreme — and entertaining — as it gets.

Going to Extremes: Plein Air Painting in a Rail Yard

An artist shares how he followed his muse and made his way into a rail yard to paint a burned out and abandoned train car.
Watercolor sketch - Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, Marrakesh

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 Podcast Eric Rhoads, Kevin Macpherson

Plein Air Podcast 260: Kevin Macpherson on Escaping the Creative Rut

In this episode, Eric Rhoads interviews renowned artist Kevin Macpherson, who shares profound insights and inspirational advice for artists looking to reignite their passion.
Left: Kip Bradley painting en plein air; Right: Kip's painting of the marsh

A Muddy Marsh Adventure

Plein air painter Kip Bradley is painting six marsh locations around Savannah, Georgia over the course of a year to document coastal changes.
Jack McGowan shares his advice for plein air painting in winter conditions

Do You Have the Right Gear for Painting in Snow?

Popsicle Painting Part 2: From the backpack to shoes, the “day pack” makes all of the difference for plein air painters, including this one, who loves to combine skiing with his brush time.
Painting vacations

My Best Day of Painting Ever

Was I going to work on one good painting in a short amount of time or was I going to do multiple paintings to see what I could accomplish?
The brown bear that Bill Davidson encountered while plein air painting in the Tetons

How One Artist Survived a Bear Encounter

What should you do if you see a bear while plein air painting in the wilderness? See what Bill Davidson did to survive his encounter.
Lewis's setup while painting the International Ice Climbing Festival

Ice Climbing for Artists

Plein air painter Lewis Williams recently visited the International Ice Climbing Festival in Ouray, Colorado - not to climb ice, but to ...
Heiner Radau, drawing the NYC Highline

Did You Draw This?!

In a "marathon of creativity," urban sketcher Heiner Radau followed his dream of drawing New York City on location. Then, he took his art to a modern level by connecting the artwork to videos, timelapses, and even an ...
Bicycle and plein air painting

Painting My Way ’Cross the USA — By Bicycle! Part II

In 2019, Lewis Williams began painting his way from California to Maine - by bicycle. Here, he gives us an update on his journey, including the biggest bonus, which came unexpectedly.