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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
11 Tips for Going From Study to Studio
Christine Lashley is an American artist known for her colorful and dramatic oils. Here, she shares her 11 tips for using your plein air study for a refined studio painting.
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.
How to Avoid Painting Pitfalls
Keep your compositions fresh and lively by applying the mantra “same same, bad bad.”
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.
What’s the Easiest Way to Carry Wet Panels?
The easiest way to carry wet panels (such as a wet canvas) is to ...
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.
Bring Duct Tape …
... and seven more plein air painting tips from Gavin Glakas.
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.
Why I Chose Vertical Over Horizontal
"I sketched and photographed these flowers — with the bonus bee — on location, then played with cropping and orientation in the studio using...
Painting Basics: Understanding Value
“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.
Plein Air 101: Mistakes to Avoid, Advice to Heed
If you’re new to plein air painting, here are five mistakes you can avoid from the get-go. (A guest blog post by Brienne M. Brown, who shares her "then" and "now" paintings!)
How to Paint With Watercolor: Live with Keiko Tanabe
In this on-camera interview with Eric Rhoads, Keiko Tanabe shares her advice on how to paint with watercolor.
Plein Air Painting in Winter
The following is part of a series that will share tips and tricks for plein air painting in winter. Stay tuned for 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.
Finding Beauty in Unusual Places
There’s an interesting thing about beauty: it can be found everywhere, if one is tuned to its frequency and actively looking for it.