Q: Is a Plein Air Painting a Study or a Finished Painting?
One of the benefits of attending Plein Air Live is that it’s so full of tips, techniques, and even conversations about what it means to ...
Painting the Landscape? Do Not Overlook This Step
When it comes to painting the landscape, there are many common mistakes that artists - especially new plein air painters - make...
Tseng’s Tip for Beginner Plein Air Painters
To achieve free, direct handling, Hsin-Yao Tseng says it's important not to ...
The Worst Time of Day for Plein Air Painting
Avoid ending up with a plein air painting that has too many scattered, isolated, small shapes by ...
5 Fixes for 5 Common Painting Mistakes
When you’ve been painting landscapes for as long as John Pototschnik, you come across common mistakes that ...
Broken Strokes for Different Folks
One artist shares the surprising and unusual methods he uses for creating effective values, edges, marks, and more.
What to Take When Painting en Plein Air: Kathleen Hudson’s Toolkit & Setup
If you're new to painting en plein air, or are experienced and curious about what others use on location, check out Kathleen Hudson's packing list, including her art toolkit and plein air setup.
Are You Talented Enough to be a Painter?
TLDR: Yes! But keep reading to see what these seven plein air painters had to say when I asked them for their responses to a question that all creatives hear in their minds at some point.
18 Plein Air Tips for Beginners
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.
The Hottest Plein Air Art Supplies of the Season
We always need more art supplies - like, always. Here are some the most popular colors, surfaces, paint brushes, frames on the market now. You're welcome!
Watch: Secrets of Sketching en Plein Air
In case you missed it, check out this interview below with Paul Kratter, who demonstrates helpful techniques for sketching en plein air.
5 Quick and Dirty Tips for Artists
Plein air painter Gene Costanza shares his five quick tips for artists on composition, color, and more.
The Best Backpacks for Plein Air Painting
There are as many backpack brands and styles as there are colors in the western sunset, so what’s the best backpack for artists who paint en plein air? We asked, and you answered! (Bonus: Watch a free video from Eric Rhoads on how to pack a light plein air backpack.)
Plein Air Painting and Personal Safety
This could save your life > Get expert tips from a Chicago artist on how plein air painters can be safe while painting outdoors in public spaces.
How Much Should Your Plein Air Painting Gear Weigh?
There’s a mental freedom we associate with painting outdoors, but that lightness can easily be juxtaposed with the ...
The Best Plein Air Umbrellas for Artists
What's the best umbrella for plein air painting? We asked, and you answered! Here's what artists from our community had to share, including some helpful photos.
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!
A Pep Talk for Beginners and Frustrated Art Students
If you weren't naturally handed a free pass to excellence or are coming to art late in the game, John Hughes has an encouraging message for you.
Plein Air Painting and the Need for Speed
Do you feel pressured to paint faster when en plein air? If you're tempted to practice the "smash and grab" technique, you might want to think twice. Here's why.
Just Do the Preliminary Sketch – and 25 Other Painting Aha Moments
Do you remember the first time a painting concept clicked for you? For these Dreamliners, the big "aha" moment came during plein air workshops, painting travels, and even at Streamline events such as Plein Air Live, the world's first online art conference. Keep reading to see if you've shared some of these special moments!
