7 Things to Consider When Painting a Landscape Outdoors
Painting outdoors gives you so many options! Get insider notes from Carrie Curran's advice on "Plein Air Basics."
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!
7 Tips for Painting the City
Just as you wouldn’t explore a new city without a map, don’t start your next cityscape without a plan for where you want to go and how you intend to get there.
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.
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!
Broken Strokes for Different Folks
One artist shares the surprising and unusual methods he uses for creating effective values, edges, marks, and more.
Two Important Reasons to Practice Sketching From Life
Watercolor artist Shuang Li explains why sketching from life can have a big impact on your next painting.
12 Ways Artists Can Reduce Frustration While Painting
The art of painting is a head game. It requires a distraction-free environment that allows you to get into the painting zone and lets things go smoothly.
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.
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 ...
How to Make a Color Chart for Plein Air Painting
Plein air artist Mark Boedges shares three color charts, along with important advice on creating and using them for your next plein air landscape.
Plein Air Painting with Gouache in Winter
Can you paint outdoors with gouache when it's below freezing? Mike Hernandez shares his tips here.
Plein Air Watercolor Tips and Tricks
When time is of the essence and access to supplies is limited, you must be prepared to make the most of what you have. Plein air watercolor painter Frank Costantino offers his best advice for how to handle just about any outdoor painting situation.
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 ...
From Fingers to Fanny – Tips for Staying Warm When Painting in Winter
I’ve painted outdoors in all kinds of weather and rarely have been uncomfortable because of the cold. My secret is ...
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.
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 ...
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...
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.
3 Ways to Show Perspective in a Landscape Painting
Perspective is more than just the way a road appears to get smaller as it recedes into the distance - learn more in this guest blog post from Michael Holter.