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 ...
4-Step Plein Air Oil Painting Demonstration
For plein air beginners: See how oil painter Anthony Salvo paints "Sparkling Cliffs, Inspiration Point," in four basic steps that you can apply to your next landscape.
Plein Air Painters: Pay Heed to Rising Water
A cautionary tale about the danger of flash floods: Just because it’s dry where you are, you could still be downstream of a perilous storm.
Cynthia Rosen on Painting Outdoors: Advice for Artists
Captivated by her landscape paintings, I invited Cynthia Rosen to share with us some of her general tips for painting outdoors.
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!
How to Paint Landscapes: Dominance in Painting
Michael Chesley Johnson gives you three questions to consider before you dip your brush in the paint in this guest post on how to paint landscapes.
Plein Air 101: The Rule of Thirds for Painting Landscapes
Learn how to determine the center of interest when painting landscapes by studying these three examples showing the Rule of Thirds.
Architectural Subjects: To Paint or Draw?
When this artist approaches architecture as a subject in the landscape, certain factors determine if the resulting art will be a drawing or a painting. See why...
Must-Have List: Crucial Outerwear and Art Supplies for Plein Air
From pants to paint tubes, you’ll want to refer to this list for your next plein air painting trip. Bonus: It includes tips for flying with art supplies!
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.
Step-by-Step Painting Demo: Patterns and Backlight
In this step-by-step demonstration you’ll see how Lori Putnam’s foundation, the first part of the block-in, is about pattern.
Do You Know These 19 Outdoor Painting Tips?
Which of the following painting tips will you put into practice? Share your answer in the blog comments for your chance to win a 10-tube set of Sennelier Finest Artists' Oils, and a variety of paint brushes from Raphaël!
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!
Plein Air Art Supplies: Choosing the Right Paint Box
Innovations to paint boxes have made the job of the plein air painter more practical and enjoyable. Check out the set-ups of 11 artists with their easels and paintboxes, and learn which may be the right one for you.
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.
Oil Painting Demo: Irises by Lynn Dunbar
To help market her artwork, Lynn Dunbar summarized her approach to plein air and studio painting and emphasized her response to the spirit, vitality, and beauty of her home state.
What’s the Easiest Way to Carry Wet Panels?
The easiest way to carry wet panels (such as a wet canvas) is to ...
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.
Six Keys to Painting Trees with Character and Dimension
To avoid trees that look generic or pasted on, follow these tips for painting compelling contours, varied sky holes, and details at a range of distances.
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.