Home Plein Air for Beginners

Plein Air for Beginners

If you’re new to painting outdoors with watercolor, pastel, oil, or acrylic, start here with advice from seasoned plein air artists.

Advice for artists - William Schneider, "The Paint Out," 9 x 12 in., plein air

Broken Strokes for Different Folks

One artist shares the surprising and unusual methods he uses for creating effective values, edges, marks, and more.
Understanding paint tube labels

Understanding Paint Tube Labels

Learn to decipher the codes, names, and symbols printed on your tubes of paint, and discover what they mean for you and what you’re trying to achieve in your work.
painting nocturnes

Bring Duct Tape …

... and seven more plein air painting tips from Gavin Glakas.
landscape painting demonstration

Free Landscape Painting Demonstration: How to Simplify

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.
Mark Fehlman, painting en plein air

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.
Backpacks for plein air painting

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.)
Eric Rhoads, plein air painting for beginners

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 ...
John Pototschnik: Keeping it Simple

5 Thoughts Every Artist Has

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. ✨
Jill Stefani Wagner - inspiration for artists

Do What Scares You Most

Jill Stefani Wagner has a confession to make, and it has to do with ...
From Carla Bosch's 2025 Plein Air Live demonstration

Get Used To It

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

Packing Smart

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

5 Quick and Dirty Tips for Artists

Plein air painter Gene Costanza shares his five quick tips for artists on composition, color, and more.
plein air painting in Spring flooding

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.
From Kathleen Hudson's oil painting demo

A 6-Second Tip Worth Reading

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 ...

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.
Mike Hernandez, painting with gouache en plein air

Plein Air Painting with Gouache in Winter

Can you paint outdoors with gouache when it's below freezing? Mike Hernandez shares his tips here.
Color mixing for plein air painters

A Good Way to Screw Up Your Palette

How many colors should you use when painting en plein air? Eric Rhoads answers in this teaser from Plein Air Live.
The 10 Most Common Mistakes Painters Make | OutdoorPainter.com

The 10 Most Common Mistakes Painters Make

Tackle these common issues to start making better paintings sooner rather than later with this painting advice from John Cosby.
Landscape painter Rick J. Delanty

Let’s Talk About the “T” Word

Excerpt: Landscape painter Rick J. Delanty addresses a misconception that “non-artists” seem to have about …
landscape painting compositions - There are few, if any, straight lines to be found in nature. In this illustration, I’ve exaggerated the concave and convex shapes.

How to Avoid Painting Pitfalls

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