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...
Why Giannini Spent Days on One Painting
Maine artist Stephan Giannini spent days creating two plein air paintings in an apple orchard. Find out why he worked so long on location.
Putting Many Colors in the Shadows
A painting by California artist Kim VanDerHoek ably demonstrated the artist's prerogative to look closely for somewhat unexpected colors in a scene to strengthen...
Women Artists: From Competition to Compensation, and Everything in Between
What does it mean to be a woman in plein air? Brienne Brown shares her experiences in this article excerpt from Plein Air Magazine (April/May 2020)
My Favorite Place to Paint: Bill Guffey
Bill Guffey's favorite place to paint is man-made, but it's wild and natural. It's in farm country, but it's public property. It's scenic in...
Artist Spotlight: Nancie King Mertz
Master & Eminent Pastelist Nancie King Mertz finds that light and shadow are the elements that “take her breath.”
Painting On Location: In Service of the Heart
Imbuing her work with the lessons of art history, this Maine oil painter takes advantage of amassed techniques and skills to stay in the moment and express her feelings about a scene.
The 25-Year-Old Who Launched the French Plein Air Artist Tradition
This British artist represented an important bridge between English and French landscape painting, inspiring such icons as ...
4 Drawing Secrets of Charles Miano
Take a moment to go inside with us as we spotlight portrait painter Charles Miano for inspiration that appeals to all artists who are inspired by the natural world.
The 6 Steps to My Plein Air Painting Process
Be inspired by this outdoor painter, who shares his process for painting landscapes in the northeast and southwest. You might be surprised by what they have in common. (Includes a bonus interview video!)
Artist Spotlight: Anne Blair Brown
How did you develop your unique style?
Anne Blair Brown: The first step to developing my style was to learn the fundamentals of painting. For...
My Favorite Place to Paint: Francesco Fontana
Francesco Fontana's favorite spot is one created by a famous Impressionist painter, one of the greats who helped launch the current plein air movement....
Artist Spotlight: Kathleen Kalinowski
How do I find inspiration?
Kathleen Kalinowski: As a contemporary impressionist painter, the inspiration and concepts which inform my work stem from memory and 30...
Spotlight on PACE Faculty: John P. Lasater IV
What's the big deal about painting a nocturne? You just have to figure out how to get some light, right? John P. Lasater IV...
Artist Spotlight: Michele Byrne
How do you find inspiration?
Michele Byrne: Two years ago I moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Here everything inspires me and I feel like...
Featured PACE Instructor: Charles White
Our 7th Annual Plein Air Convention and Expo is just around the corner, and to celebrate, we’ll be highlighting some of our featured instructors and their art over the next several weeks. Recently I asked him to tell us more about a couple of his paintings.
Wishy-Washy Watercolor? Far From It!
Georgia Mansur reveals how watercolor contributes to her personal aesthetic and enhances her preferred way of working, and why it's the perfect medium for painting en plein air.
Painting California’s Piers
Eric M. Davis traveled over 11,350 miles in 17 months to complete the works featured in his book, “The California Pier Series.” Read an exclusive excerpt and view some of the watercolor paintings here.
My Favorite Place to Paint: Robert Vogel
Robert Vogel left the Eastern Sierras to live in Los Angeles. But those mountains are still his favorite place to paint. Why?
"You almost can't...
How Hip Hop Inspires My Plein Air Painting
San Francisco-based plein air painter Tom Colcord approaches his work with a unique mindset. When asked what he means by “the flow,” he references ...