Getting Started in the Field
New to painting en plein air? Get advice for painting outdoors with this excerpt from the new book “Plein Air Painting Tips and Tales.”
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!
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.
Plein Air Painting with Gouache in Winter
Can you paint outdoors with gouache when it's below freezing? Mike Hernandez shares his tips here.
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 You Need to Paint Outdoors: The Beginner’s Guide
Use this guide to help you get started plein air painting with tips from artists who are willing to share their knowledge and wisdom.
A Study-to-Studio Watercolor Demo: Oak Creek at Briar Patch XXII
Watch step by step as Julie Gilbert Pollard creates a plein air study with watercolor, then takes it into the studio to paint "Oak Creek at Briar Patch XXII."
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...
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).
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.
9 Painting and Design Tips for Plein Air Watercolor
When painting with watercolor en plein air, follow this advice for the best shapes, angles, and experience.
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.
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."
A Way to Prepare for Drawing and Creativity
When it comes to painting, the act of drawing is often a departure from the classical linear concept that is understood by most people. Drawing, in the painting arena, has more to do with large compositional ideas and design elements, such as placement of objects or masses, linear movement, relative sizes of objects, weight distribution, and shapes.
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.
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.
Plein Air Pastel 101: Your Pastel Fix-It Guide
Shawn Dell Joyce, Lyn Diefenbach, Kathleen Kalinowski, and Heidi A. Marshall offer practical solutions to three common problems pastel artists face when painting on location.
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.
Acrylics: A Quick and Efficient Medium for Painting On Location
The medium has become an integral part of how I compose — plunging right in, using my big brush like a saber, bringing to life large, bold subjects with absolutely no need for the careful planning that can turn a painting session into a bore.
Broken Strokes for Different Folks
One artist shares the surprising and unusual methods he uses for creating effective values, edges, marks, and more.