The Best Palettes for Plein Air Painting
What’s the best palette for painters? We asked, and you answered! More than 25 artists share their favorites here (including DIY palettes).
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!
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.
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 ...
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.
Color Corner: 10 Artists Share What’s on Their Palette
We asked some of your favorite plein air artists about their palettes and what colors — and brands — they use to create stunning landscapes.
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.
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 ...
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!)
The Visual Tools You Need to Create Atmospheric Perspective
Master these elements to give your paintings a powerful sense of atmospheric depth.
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.
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.
How to Paint Clouds en Plein Air
The unique challenge of painting clouds is that, unlike other landscape elements, they’re in constant motion. Learn how to choose the right moment for painting clouds en plein air.
FREE: The Ultimate Plein Air 101 Guide for Artists
If you’re an artist, chances are you’ve already practiced plein air painting and maybe don’t even realize it! Some artists paint en plein air for years before realizing they’re part of the world’s largest art movement.
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.)
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.
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.
Tseng’s Tip for Beginner Plein Air Painters
To achieve free, direct handling, Hsin-Yao Tseng says it's important not to ...
What’s the Easiest Way to Carry Wet Panels?
The easiest way to carry wet panels (such as a wet canvas) is to ...
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.