Plein Air for Beginners

Use this guide to help you get started plein air painting with tips from artists who are willing to share their knowledge and wisdom.

Check out this helpful list of tips from Carrie Curran, who lays out what you should do before painting, advice for sketching your scene, and steps for success.

Plein air painter Gene Costanza shares his five quick tips for artists on composition, color, and more.

A word of advice from plein air painter Carla Bosch, who will be joining us at the 2026 Plein Air Convention & Expo!

Last year, Plein Air Live brought together hundreds of artists from all over the world for an incredible three days of learning, painting, and inspiration. 🌿🎨Here's one of our favorite quick takeaways ...

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by color, confused by perspective, or frustrated with your tools, you’re not alone. Inspired by John Pototschnik's teachings, let's break down five common artist frustrations and the simple changes that can transform your painting experience. ✨

In this episode of Art School Live with guest host Kathleen Hudson, Suzie Greer Baker breaks down the overwhelming world of plein air gear into practical choices, real-world examples and travel-tested hacks.

Although I still sometimes set up my easel in the snow in early spring, for the past 10 years I’ve increasingly painted wintry landscapes from my car. I’ve become so used to it that I can now work fairly large — as big as a quarter sheet of watercolor paper (11 x 15 inches). It may seem awkward, but I’ve been doing this for so long that it’s actually become one of my favorite places to paint. Here's how I do it, and my advice for plein air painting in winter.

There’s an interesting thing about beauty: it can be found everywhere, if one is tuned to its frequency and actively looking for it.

Insights from plein air painter Beth Bathe, who will be joining us at the 2026 Plein Air Convention & Expo!

What’s the best easel for plein air painting? We asked, and you answered! Dozens of artists share what their favorite plein air easels are, including why they’re top choice.

Keep your compositions fresh and lively by applying the mantra “same same, bad bad.”

“All of us, beginners and experienced painters alike, can benefit from a refresher course in the bedrock principles of value and color.” John MacDonald explains more in this overview.

Ever wondered how to make your landscape paintings glow with realistic light? In this beginner-friendly lesson, artist Kami Mendlik breaks down her simple, effective approach to painting light that feels real by mastering color relativity.

The following article features a leading artist who is teaching others how to paint through online workshops at PaintTube.tv.

Shawn Dell Joyce, Lyn Diefenbach, Kathleen Kalinowski, and Heidi A. Marshall offer practical solutions to three common problems pastel artists face when painting on location.

Whether you are seasoned at outdoor painting or a novice, it is often daunting to tackle new terrain. To make your experience more enjoyable, we’ve compiled this go-to guide for your next plein air excursion!

Find out how just a few changes to your toolkit can make a positive difference to your plein air painting experience.

Painting Tips for Beginners > Plein air painter Gary Snavely shares his advice to help you organize your thoughts for a greater chance of a good painting outcome.

The medium has become an integral part of how I compose — plunging right in, using my big brush like a saber, bringing to life large, bold subjects with absolutely no need for the careful planning that can turn a painting session into a bore.