Created by janblencowe
Hello, my name is Jan Blencowe and I'm a plein air painter. I pack up my easel, paints and canvas and head out, year round, into the great outdoors... (more...)
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Plein air painting is all about painting in the great outdoors, on location, surrounded by your subject. No studio, no photos to copy from, just you and nature, one on one. This type of painting requires certain techniques, materials, equipment and.... a certain type of artist. Here you can find out all about plein air painting and what makes these paintings and the artists who create them so special.
A Brief History of Plein Air Painting
The French phrase "en plein air" means "in the open air" and at the end of the 19th century painting "en plein air" was almost unheard of. The art world of Europe was dominated by the salons and academies and painting methods, materials and subject matter were taught and practiced according to tried and true formulas. Enter an English painter John Constable. His radical idea was to forget formulas, find the truth in nature and trust your own vision. He created sketches outdoors and then returned to the studio to work them up into full size paintings. Around the same time in the small village of Barbizon, outside Paris, another group of painters, including Francois Millet and Gustave Coubert, began creating field sketches focusing on peasant life and the natural world. This stood in direct contrast to the established art world which demanded subject matter based on antiquity, classical mythology and Biblical scenes. This group known as the Barbizon School were called "realists" by their comtemporaries. From these roots came a full scale artistic revolution in France in the mid 19th century. Fueled by the new science of optics which had uncovered how the eye actually,physically, registers color, a new style of painting was born. Impressionism. Another new development also spurred this movement on, the invention of metal tubes that could be loaded with paint and taken outdoors. Artist like Edouard Manet, Claude Monet and Auguste Renoir took their easels and new tubes of paint outdoors. They quickly realized that it was not form the eye perceived but LIGHT on a form, and light could be conveyed by color! So impressioniam and consequently plein air painting became about capturing the light and colors of a particular place. Subject matter would be dictated by the weather and the seasons. This new style of painting crossed the Atlantic and landed at the art colony in Old Lyme Connecticut under the leadership of Childe Hassam and other American Impressionists like Willard Metcalf, Matilda Browne and William Chadwick. Over time other locations with a particularly beautiful quality of light also became artist colonies for plein air painting, Cape Cod, Cos Cob, Rockport. Today the American southwest, Santa Fe and Scottsdale,and places like Provance and Tuscany are also centers of modern plein air painting.
Articles on Impressionism and Plein Air Painting
Gain a greater understanding of Impressionism and plein air painting through these recommended articles.
- Impressionism
- This excellent article from Wikipedia outlines the beginnings of Impressionism, it's techniques and content. It includes links to pages about many of the most well known, and some lesser known impressionists. There are also a number of beautiful full color examples of impressionist paintings. Plus a section on post-impressionism.
- Plein Air Painting on Santa Catalina Island
- Catalina island is one of those places with an incredible beautiful quality of light and atmosphere. It has a long history and tradition of plein air painting which you can read about in this fine article.
Painting en Plein Air
things you'll need to paint outdoors
- French easel or pochade box
- tripod, if using a pochade box
- painting panels
- paint,brushes,medium,turp
- paper towels
- umbrella
- wide brim hat
- bug repellant
- extra sweater or jacket
- trash bag
- hand wipes
- view finder
- water and a snack
- hand warmers in the winter
- cell phone
Where to Buy Plein Air Equipment
When you're ready to take on the the great outdoors it helps to have great equipment. These are my personal recommendations.
- Guerrellia Painters Pochade Boxes
- Guerrilla Painters makes a teriffic, durable pochde box.A pochade box is also known as a paint box and is an alternative to a French Easel. They are light weight and mount on a tripod. They come in several sizes, with storage space for paints and brushes, and the ability to house 2 or more wet panels in the lid. I've had their 9x12 box for over two years and love it.
- Artwork Essentials
- Artwork Essentials offers a different type of pochade box. Lighter in weight than a Guerrilla Box, because it doesn't have storage space. The EasyL pochade box they offer has some unique features and can accomadate varying size panels. I own the EasyL Versa which I use for my plein air acrylic work.
- Open Box M
- Another lightweight pochade box sans storage. Top quality construction.
- RayMar Art
- RayMar makes very nice, afforadbly priced plein air panels.They come in a variety of surfaces,cotton canvas,or linen,with acrylic gesso or oil primed. My favorite is the single oil primed linen. The back of the panel is covered with a melamine coating which protects the core and eliminates the possibility of warping.
- SourceTek
- SourceTek offers plein air painting panels featuring Claessens Belgian Linen,or cotton canvas mounted to your choice of Russian Baltic birch plywood, Gatorfoam or Masonite. Another fine panel that I've been using and can recommend.
- Judson's Plein Air Outfitters
- Judson's is a great company to work with, They offer pochade boxes,clothing, backpacks, brushes, umbrellas and most everything else you'll need for plein air painting. I give them 5 stars.
- Artists Easel Plans
- For all you DIY'ers. Build your own pochade box!!
- Frame-Express
- Offering a beautiful line of plein air frames.
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Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byToday's Top Plein Air Painters
These are a few of my favorite plein air painters.
- Kenn Backhaus
- Color,light,atmosphere its all here!
- Gay Falkenberry
- Beautiful sensitivity to color!
- Camille Prezwodek
- Bold color and brushwork. I especially love her marsh series.
- Scott Christensen
- A master!
- Richard McDaniel
- Amazing color!
- Kevin MacPherson
- Check out his book in the Book Recommendations section below.
Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society
2008 Paint OUt Schedule
2008 PAINT OUTS
We've lined up some great paint out locations for 2008 starting in April at the DEP Area in Old Lyme. Please note that these paint out locations and directions are also posted on our web site www.cpaps.org.
April 27 and 28 - Old Lyme DEP riverside area
Tom Mayer recommends this "good spot" - "river views, salt marshes, boats, railroad bridges, etc" Bathroom facilities indoors at DEP and also outdoors. Need an umbrella after 12 noon. Thanks Tom!
Directions: Take exit 70 (RT. 95) head south on Rte. 156 toward Old Lyme. Go about 1/2 mile, turn right onto Ferry Road. Drive to end and park.
May 4 and 5 / May 11 and 12 Toplands Farm, 102 Painter Hill Rd., Roxbury. Site of this year's Celebrate Connecticut Farmlands Event.
Directions:
From I 84 West: Exit 15 - right at bottom of ramp onto Route 6/Main Street heading North. ** After about 1.5 miles, take right onto Route 67, Roxbury Road. Go 7 miles to junction with Route 317. Take right onto Route 317, Church St. After about 0.5 miles, take a left onto Painter Hill Road. Farm is about 0.8 miles, right side, top of hill.
From I 84 East: Exit 15, left at bottom of ramp onto Rt 6/Main St North. ** Follow directions from above.
May 18 and 19 - Norwich - Slater Museum and Grounds
This is an old section of Norwich with many interesting buildings in the triangular "square" in front of the museum. There is also a nearby waterfront area.
Directions: Take Route 2 East to Norwich. At the end of the Connector, bear right onto Washington Street. Pass Backus Hospital. At second stop light, bear left. The Norwich Free Academy campus will be visible on the left. The museum is the building with the tall pointed tower, across from the church.
June 7 and 8 / June 14 and 15 Hunt Hill Farm - Site of CPAPS Show Aug. 30 - Oct. 5. Directions at a later date.
July 13 and 14 /July 20 and 21 Nathan Hale Homestead - Historic property and site of the Coventry Farm Market. Directions at a later date.
August 10 and 11: Guilford Marina -Seaside and harbor views. Tom Mayer recommends another "good spot". Directions at a later date.
August 17 and 18: Harkness State Park, New London - Shore views, marshes, and gardens. Directions at a later date.
Sept. 14 and 15 / Sept. 21 and 22 Meigs Point, Hammonassett State Park - Madison - Shoreline and marsh views. Directions at a later date.
October 5 and 6: Jonathan Vineyard, Stonington Borough. Directions at a later date.
We've lined up some great paint out locations for 2008 starting in April at the DEP Area in Old Lyme. Please note that these paint out locations and directions are also posted on our web site www.cpaps.org.
April 27 and 28 - Old Lyme DEP riverside area
Tom Mayer recommends this "good spot" - "river views, salt marshes, boats, railroad bridges, etc" Bathroom facilities indoors at DEP and also outdoors. Need an umbrella after 12 noon. Thanks Tom!
Directions: Take exit 70 (RT. 95) head south on Rte. 156 toward Old Lyme. Go about 1/2 mile, turn right onto Ferry Road. Drive to end and park.
May 4 and 5 / May 11 and 12 Toplands Farm, 102 Painter Hill Rd., Roxbury. Site of this year's Celebrate Connecticut Farmlands Event.
Directions:
From I 84 West: Exit 15 - right at bottom of ramp onto Route 6/Main Street heading North. ** After about 1.5 miles, take right onto Route 67, Roxbury Road. Go 7 miles to junction with Route 317. Take right onto Route 317, Church St. After about 0.5 miles, take a left onto Painter Hill Road. Farm is about 0.8 miles, right side, top of hill.
From I 84 East: Exit 15, left at bottom of ramp onto Rt 6/Main St North. ** Follow directions from above.
May 18 and 19 - Norwich - Slater Museum and Grounds
This is an old section of Norwich with many interesting buildings in the triangular "square" in front of the museum. There is also a nearby waterfront area.
Directions: Take Route 2 East to Norwich. At the end of the Connector, bear right onto Washington Street. Pass Backus Hospital. At second stop light, bear left. The Norwich Free Academy campus will be visible on the left. The museum is the building with the tall pointed tower, across from the church.
June 7 and 8 / June 14 and 15 Hunt Hill Farm - Site of CPAPS Show Aug. 30 - Oct. 5. Directions at a later date.
July 13 and 14 /July 20 and 21 Nathan Hale Homestead - Historic property and site of the Coventry Farm Market. Directions at a later date.
August 10 and 11: Guilford Marina -Seaside and harbor views. Tom Mayer recommends another "good spot". Directions at a later date.
August 17 and 18: Harkness State Park, New London - Shore views, marshes, and gardens. Directions at a later date.
Sept. 14 and 15 / Sept. 21 and 22 Meigs Point, Hammonassett State Park - Madison - Shoreline and marsh views. Directions at a later date.
October 5 and 6: Jonathan Vineyard, Stonington Borough. Directions at a later date.
2008 Plein Air Competitions and Events
If you're a plein air painter looking for competitions, juried shows, quick draws and events, than this is the list for you!
- Plein Air Competition and Arts Festival
- July 21-27, 2008, Easton, MD.
- Telluride Plein Air
- June 29th - July 2nd, 2008- All Day Plein Air Artists at Work
Visitors and locals alike will have the unique opportunity to observe 30 of the nation's top plein air artists as they paint on location in the Telluride, Colorado.
July 3rd, 2008 - 10:30am-12pm
Plein Air Quick Draw Event
This event is free and open to the public!
The Sheridan Arts Foundation and the Telluride Ah Haa School of Arts will be sponsoring a Quick Draw event during the 2008 Telluride Plein Air Celebration. The Quick Draw is a 90 minute on-site painting demonstration and competition that will be held on Main Street beginning at the San Miguel County Courthouse. The Quick Draw competition is open only to the Telluride Plein Air Celebration artists. This competition will be judged by the Ah Haa School of Arts in the Sheridan Opera House Courtyard at 12pm. The winner will receive a cash award and have their piece featured at the 2008 Ah Haa School's Art Auction. All Quick-Draw paintings are limited to 8" X 10" in size and will be on display and available for purchase once the winner has been announced.
July 3 , 2008 - 6pm-8pm
Artist Choice Cocktail Party, Auction and Concert
$75/couple or $40/individual
Order your tickets now for Monday night's "Artist Choice Auction" at the Sheridan Opera House. This premier showing will feature each artist's most favored piece of the week. Enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while meeting the 2008 Telluride Plein Air Celebration artists and having the exclusive chance to bid on these remarkable paintings. The "2008 Artist Choice Award" piece will also be unveiled at this event. This evening will close with a TBA concert.
July 4th and July 5th, 2008
Exhibition and Art Sale
Sheridan Opera House Courtyard and Elks Park
July 3 - 10am-4pm
July 4 - 9:30pm-11am & 12pm-2pm (We will pause the Exhibition from 11-12pm for the Town of Telluride Fourth of July Parade)
This event is free and open to the public!
Join us in the Sheridan Opera Courtyard and Elks Park for an exhibition and sale of pieces created during the week-long celebration. - Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters National Event
- National Event
July 27th to August 3rd, 2008
Opening, Friday, August 1st
Quick Draw, Saturday, August 2nd
Featuring:
Fine Art Exhibition and Sale
40 invited artists
Over 250 newly created paintings from the Winter Park and Frasier Valley area.
Nationally Judged event
Quick Draw
Artists Demonstrations
Workshops - Rocky MountainPlein Air Painters- The Seasons
- The Seasons
August 29th to September 29th, 2008
Featuring:
Artwork from 18 premier artists created from throughout the year, covering different areas
of the Rocky Mountains. A diverse and unique show highlighting both plein air work and larger works
developed from field studies.
Hosted by
The Courtyards, 165 Virginia Dr. Suite 5-B, Estes Park, CO 80517
970.577.9627 %u2022 www.lochvalefineart.com
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Participating Artists:
Stephanie Birdsall, AZ
Stephan Datz, CO
Jake Gaedtke, CO
Linda Glover-Gooch, CO
Lanny Grant, CO
Robert Hagberg, MN
Colleen Howe, WY
W. Scott Jennings, CO, AZ
Karol Mack, CO, NM
Jeanne Mackenzie, CO
Joe Mancuso, CA
Doug Martin, CO
Neil Patterson, Canada
Darcie Peet, AZ
John Potter, VT
Karen Ramsey, CO
Ann Templeton, NM
Teresa Vito, CO - Major California Paint Outs//Show Events
- Looks like California is the place to be for plein air painters this year. Too many to list, click on the link.
- "For the Love of Art Demonstrations"
- "For the Love of Art Demonstrations"
3 Days of Demonstrations with Four Fine Artists
Kevin Macpherson: Painting a Landscape
Scott Burdick: Painting a Portrait
Quang Ho: Painting a Still Life
C.W. Mundy: painting a Figure
Cost: The cost of the three day demonstration is $895.
This includes a casual supper, four lunches in the Crystal Room, dinner in the Grand Salon at North River Yacht Club in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Also includes live entertainment, tours of the Warner Home and the Westervelt-Warner Museum and MUCH MORE!
Reservations: Spaces are reserved on a first received basis. To reserve a place, please send a post-dated (January 25, 2008) check payable to Sara-britt Arts and mail to the address below. Checks will not be cashed until the demonsrtation begins. Please Contact Us with any questions or comments. For lodging information please go to the following web site.
More info: http://sarabrittarts.com/demonstrations.htm - Look for The Plein-Air Painters of America in the following upcoming events
- Exhibition
April 11, 2008 - May 24, 2008
European Tradition, American Vision
Academy Art Museum, Easton, Maryland
September 20, 2008 - November 30, 2008
Celebration of Light
Bennington Art Center, Vermont
PAPA Workshop
May 18-23, 2008
Workshop & Seminar,
Co-sponsored by The Academy Art Museum,
Easton, MD - 2008 Paint Snow Hill
- 2008 Paint Snow Hill April 18 - 20, 2008 For more information about the event and the workshop, visit www.bishopsstock.com
In conjunction with 2008 Paint Snow Hill: plein air workshop in oil offered by Lee Boynton April 14 & 15, 2008 For more information about the event and the workshop, visit www.bishopsstock.com - Gulf Alliance Plein Air Paintout 2008
- Nationally recognized plein air artists have been selected to capture the allure of the Forgotten Coast with paint and canvas. Artists will be painting on the beach, across the marsh, beside the lakes and throughout the streets of waterfront towns from Carrabelle, Apalachicola, Indian Pass, Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka, and Mexico Beach. You are cordially invited to join us at this premier art exhibition and sale featuring on-location artists. Experience beauty through the eyes of America's finest plein air artists!
Date and Time: May 8, 2008 to May 18, 2008
Location : All Along the Forgotten Coast
URL: http://www.pleinairfl.com
Contact : Kim Harrison
Contact email : info@gulfalliance.org
Sponsor : Gulf Alliance for Local Arts
Last Modified : January 1, 2008
Community Event from Plein Air Paintout 2008 - The Nomadas del Arte 2008
- The N%u03CCmadas del Arte 2008 paint out gets under way in January 2008 culminating in a spectacular show of 400 paintings by 200 artists painting en plein air in the Southwest United States! The Southwest Gallery of Dallas will be hosting this landmark event in April of 2009. Make plans to attend. Our Keystone Artists for this event are Albert Handell, Anita Louise West, Guido Frick , Stephanie Birdsall, Brent Cotton and Carol Swinney .
info@nomadasdelarte.com
Great Plein Air Books on Amazon
On Location: Plein Air Painting In Pastel
Amazon Price: $18.47 (as of 05/12/2008)
Plein Air Painting in Watercolor & Oil
Amazon Price: (as of 05/12/2008)
Artist's Projects You Can Paint: 10 Experiments With Impressionism En Plein Air (Artist's Projects You Can Paint)
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 05/12/2008)
Fill Your Oil Paintings With Light & Color
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 05/12/2008)
Recommended Books-Classics on Landscape Painting from the BEST
These books are classics, written by some of the giants of American Impressionism/plein air painting. If you want to study with the best....then these books are for you. They are not fluff, they're indepth and full of solid instruction and nitty gritty advice as well as and higher level artistic thinking/considerations. Many are out of print now, you'll have to buy them used and sometimes at quite a price, but they are well WORTH it.
Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 05/12/2008)
Gruppe on Color: Using Expressive Color to Paint Nature
Amazon Price: (as of 05/12/2008)
Brushwork: A guide to expressive brushwork for oil painting
Amazon Price: (as of 05/12/2008)
Composition of Outdoor Painting
Amazon Price: (as of 05/12/2008)
Alla Prima: Everything I Know About Painting
Amazon Price: (as of 05/12/2008)
Atmospheric Perspective
an article by Armand Cabrera
- Atmospheric Perspective Article
- One of the most important things a plein air painter needs to learn is how to create "atmospheric perspective", not to be confused with aerial perspective or linear perspective, this aspect of landscape painting is essential for creating convincing distance, depth and atmosphere. Learn more about this element of plein air painting in Armand Cabrera's excellent article.
Plein Air Paintings by Jan Blencowe
Painted on location in beautiful coastal Connecticut
Plein air painting is my passion. The beauty of the earth is my special muse. It is my great hope that my paintings will inspire you to join in the care and stewardship of our planet.
CLICK on a painting to enlarge. Visit Janblencowe.com to see more of my work, pay securely with PayPal.
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Original Plein Air Paintings by Jan Blencowe
ArtByUs.com Art Auctions - Buy and Sell Fine Art, Original Oil Paintings, Watercolor Paintings, Acrylic Paintings, ArtThere are no current listings for this seller. Please visit ArtByUs.com Art Auctions for other great artists!
Art & Life
My Plein Air Painting Blog
Keep up with all my outdoor painting adventures at Art & Life and see works fresh off the easel on a daily basis
(almost!). Click on the title of the post to be taken to Art&Life to view the artwork.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySelling on the Internet
A Web Gallery of Your Own
- Fine Art America
- If you are looking for a place to sell your own work on the internet, would like a professional looking easy to use web gallery and would also like to have a print on demand feature, may I recommend to you Fine Art America? I have a gallery page there and they have lots of teriffic features and great tech support, plus it's FREE!
Resources for Plein Air Painters
Get involved in the plein air scene. Check out these helpful resources.
- The Plein Air Forum at WetCanvas.com
- WetCanvas is a huge and very active artists website. The plein air forum is where you can get to know other plein air artists, post your paintings for comments and critique and join in discussions about the art of plein air painting. Membership is free, and you'll find me, JanB, there as a guide.
National Plein Air Groups
These are the BIG ONES!
- Plein Air Painters of America
- Official website of one of the top plein air organizations in the country.
- National Academy of Professional Plein Air Painters
- Visit their website to see works from today's most talented plein air painters. A feast for the eyes!!
International Plein Air Groups
Plein Air all across the globe.
- International Plein Air Painters
- Sponsors of the Annual World Wide Paint Outs.
Plein Air Groups~East Coast
If you live on the east coast here's where to find a plein air group near you.
- Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society
- State orginazition for plein air painters, sponsors paint outs, exhibits and workshops.
- Plein Air Florida
- State group for plein air painters in Florida.Co-founded by my friend Linda Blondheim, a wonderful plein air artist!
- Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association
- Regional plein air painters group.
- Charleston Outdoor Painters Association
- Dedicated to the pursuit of painting outdoors in the natural light. There are no membership dues just a desire to be out there painting.
- NH Plein Air
- Painting Landscapes Everywhere In NH And In the Region
striving to be an indispensable resource for and about artists painting en plein air in our region - New York Plein Air Painters
- NEW YORK PLEIN AIR PAINTERS is a collection of painters around New York State who prefer to 'paint from life', generally on location. NYPAP is organized into CHAPTERS, each being of a different location. Each CHAPTER makes its own schedules, plans, and policies. Hopefully there are times when two or more CHAPTERS join forces.
- Plein Air Georgia
- At Plein Air Georgia, we have no preference as to style, materials used, or artistic interpretation. These are all personal choices that contribute to the unique expression of each artist while they paint 'en plein air'. Likewise, we think honest work by novice or professional is equally valid. The challenges and rewards of plein air painting are open to all.
We encourage all artists to make plein air painting a part of their creative experience. We welcome anyone living in Georgia with a sincere interest in plein air to join us for paintouts, workshops, forum discussions, and friendship. - Plein Air painters of the Jersey Coast
- The artists meet every Monday morning at a predetermined painting location at or near the New Jersy coast.
- Plein Air Painters of the Southeast
- A professional artist organization dedicated to the preservation & continuation
of the traditional method of painting en plein air; out-of-doors, on location. - Western North Carolina Plein Air Painters
- Our mission is to stay true to the idea of plein air painting by capturing "a moment in time" and by painting in a variety of interesting and diverse locations. We will make the community aware of plein air painting by exhibiting our work and organizing paint outs.
- Acadia Plein Air Group
- Meets Monday mornings at 9. All levels welcome.
Plein Air Groups~Midwest
If you're living in the heart of the USA here are your neighborhood plein air groups.
- Ohio Plein Air Society
- Statewide group promoting plein air events and activities.
- Great Lakes Plein Air painters Association
- Painting, education, competitions to assist it's members in their creative pursuits.
- The Chestnut Group
- Located in Middle Tennessee. Plein air painters for the land, dedicated to the conservation and preservation of wild and open spaces.
- Indiana Plein Air Painters
- Dedicated to the education of Indiana plein air painters and their supporters as well as the reawakening of an appreciation for Indiana landscape painting based on its rich history.
- Michigan Plein Air Painters
- Michigan Plein-Air Painters are a network of artists and friends that enjoy the challenge and pleasure of painting on location in Michigan.
Our goal is to bring artists together to explore and develop the tradition of plein-air painting. We hope to promote an awareness and visual appreciation through our art of Michigan by sharing with the public our experience through shows and exhibitions throughout the state. - Northwoods Plein Air Painters
- Northwoods Plein Air Painters is a group of artists who paint together in northern Wisconsin. We meet as a group, once a month, in various locations in Northeastern Wisconsin. There are no medium requirements--all mediums, experience levels are welcome. Currently, the group meets between April and October. Come and paint with us!
Plein Air Groups~Southwest
The southwest has gorgeous light great scenery and no shortage of plein air painters.
- Plein Air New Mexico
- New Mexico is a plein air hot spot! This is the state wide group that promotes plein air workshops, exhibits and paint outs.
- Plein Air Austin
- Plein Air group in the great state of Texas.
- Tucson Plein Air Painters Society
- We currently offer Saturday paint-outs twice a month, impromptu paint-outs during the week, critique sessions every 3rd Friday, 2 show, a couple of workshops, a party before and after the season, and a new website to serve our members.
Plein Air Groups~California
The great state of California is home to many plein air organizations.
- Verde Artist Guild
- Plein air group based in the San Franscisco Bay area.
- The Oak Group
- A group of plein air painters based in Santa Barbara who donate 50% of their sales to help protect and preserve the environment. Very cool!!
- Laguana Plein Air Painters
- Based in Laguna California, well known plein air group, lots great of shows/exhibits.
- The Plein Air Scene
- A monthly newsletter covering plein air painting in California. Always lots of interesting information.
- California Plein Air Artists
- Meets in and around Laguna Beach on a weekly basis.
- Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters
- MBPAPA will foster the understanding and appreciation of Plein Air painting and its place in the history and current culture of our communities. It will work to distinguish its members as dedicated artists of the region.
Plein Air Groups~Northwest
If you live in the beautiful Pacific northwest and are looking for a group check out the resources below.
- Northwest Oil Painters Guild
- We have a growing group within NOPG who are attracted to Plein-Air painting,
or painting outdoors.
With the beauty of the Pacific Northwest at our door step,
many of us feel compelled to experience nature's colors firsthand. - Pacific Northwest Plein-Aire Painters
- Pacific Northwest Plein-Aire Painters is a network of artist groups and individual artists interested in painting and promoting the art of painting outdoors on location. Our purpose is to provide resource information for painters interested in painting in the open air. We welcome other
plein air groups and individuals located in the Pacific Northwest to
connect with us in our effort to link and promote plein air groups,
events, and activities around the world. - Plein-Air painters of Oregon
- Frequent paint outs in the warmer months, any medium, informal critiques.
- Washington Society of Landscape Painting
- From its inception in 1913, members have ardently and regularly pursued painting out of doors. Often called plein air painting, it continues to be the primary focus of Society activities.
Plein Air Groups~West
Beautiful country way out west. If that's where you reside here are your regional groups.
- Plein Air painters of the West
- Our Mission...
The Plein Air Painters of the West is a society of professional artists dedicated to the highest quality paintings, exhibitions and workshops produced in the tradition of plein air painting. We provide various avenues for artistic growth and visual expression to students, artists, and collectors. We are dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of our natural World through conservation and education. - Plein Air Artists Colorado
- PAAC was created for the love of plein air painting and to enjoy the camaraderie of painting outdoors. A founding principal is that PAAC create opportunities for artists to paint outdoors together and that these paint outs be open to everyone of every level
- Plein Air Painters of Idaho
- Plein Air Painters of Idaho (PAPI) paint on location, "alla Prima," from life, thereby capturing moments in time forever preserved for the enjoyment of the viewer. The varied styles of each artist loosely captures the essence of Idaho's vast canyon lands, high deserts, valleys, native prairies still wild at heart, lakes and rivers and the floral life of our lush landscapes in the west. These landscapes reflect a conservation of place and respectful conservancy in a culture of reverent observation and passionate expression of oneness with nature. They bring environmental awareness of the needs of the people, habitat and ecosystems conservation through their retentions of the land. Their images offer understanding of the urgency of protecting the fragile interdependency of biodiversity and man's impact on that structure and the responsibility of all to preserve that which is beautiful and wild within our state.
- Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters
- The focus of the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters is to foster and promote the advancement of on-location painting within the Rocky Mountain region. The R.M.P.A.P. will work to bring artists and art appreciators together in a creative atmosphere. The emphasis will be on the fellowship of professional artists. Members are encouraged to share ideas, enthusiasm, and knowledge with others. The R.M.P.A.P. will encourage and promote plein air painting as a unique form of artistic expression.
- South Dakota Plein Aire Artists
- (SDPAA) was formed in
2004 to provide a forum for regional artists and enthusiasts who share a passion for Plein Aire. We are an informal organization - "membership" is predicated upon an interest in the art of outdoor painting and sketching. Participants range from professionals
to amatuers.
Plein Air Groups~Canada
Follow in the footsteps of the Group of Seven!
- Uxbridge Plei Air Painters
- Our purpose os to support the tradition of plein air painting. Paint-outs.
Plein Air Groups~Europe
- Les Rats des Champs
- A plein air painters group in France. Their name means "The Field Mice"! Love it!
- Artists of the Aude
- Contemporary art in the department of the Aude, France.
Worshops and Classes for Plein Air Painters
A workshop or class focusing on plein air painting can be one of the very best ways to "get your feet wet" if you're a beginner or to move on to mastery if you're an intermediate or advanced painter.
workexceptionexcellent teachers.
workexceptionexcellent teachers.
- Workshops with L. Diane Johnson
- Diane ia a wonderful artist and an excellent teacher and a lovely person. She will teach you and empower you to grow as an artist.
- PleinAirPaint.com
- This site lists many, many plein air workshops and events. Organized, easy to navigate and well worth a look.
Plein Air Workshop in Ireland
- Workshop in Ireland
- Plan now to attend this amazing retreat! Valentia Island is located in Ireland's south west region. The "Ring of Kerry" is known for its golf, breathtaking ocean views and tropical climate. Spend six amazing days drawing, painting, walking, photographing, or writing while outside in the grasses and among the stone hedges of the Valentia Island Artist's Retreat.
- Paros Paradise Workshops in Greece
- This is a wonderful site with information on plein air workshops in Paros Greece, perhaps one of the most beautiful places on earth!! This site is also a treasure trove of information for plein air artists, be sure to check it out.
- Paros in May
- Plein Air Workshop on Paros in May.
More info here: http://parosparadise.com/Page7.htm
Get fun Plein Air wear and gear at CafePress
Get T shirts, hats and totes that tell the world you're a plein air painter.
Galleries
Below are galleries that specialize in Plein Air Paintings.
- Waterhouse Gallery
- Located in Santa barbara, CA. Be sure to check out Marc Hanson's work.
- William Lester Gallery
- Point Reyes, CA. Specializing in California Impressionism and plein air paintings. Check out Camille Prezwodek's work, she's one of my favorites.
- Landscapes Art Studio
- Located in Jacksonville Florida. Features the works of David Johnson and Linda Blondheim.
- Tirage
- Located in Pasadena, CA.
- Gallery at 85 Main Street
- Located in Centerbrook, CT Offers landscapes, including plein air, in the tradition of the American Impressionists who worked in Old Lyme and Cos Cob Connecticut.
Recommended Magazines
Though not specifically dedicated to plein air painting these are top quality magazines that often feature plein air artists.
Southwest Art (1-year)
Amazon Price: $24.00 (as of 05/12/2008)
Art of the West
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 05/12/2008)
American Art Collector
Amazon Price: $36.00 (as of 05/12/2008)
Fine Art Connoisseur : the Premier Magazine for Informed Col
This magazine began as Plein Air Magazine, and although its focus has shifted it still often features articles on plein air painters. Also many plein air painters advertise in this so you'll get a fair amount of images featuring plein air works.
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 05/12/2008)
American Art
Amazon Price: $50.00 (as of 05/12/2008)
The Quotable Plein Air Painter
Plein air painting is still an interpretation of reality, even though I am seeing the scene first hand. My "truth" is far more interesting to me than the scene in reality. (Linda Blondheim)To steep oneself in the sky. To capture the tenderness of the clouds. To let the cloud masses float in the background, far off in the gray mist, and then make the blue blaze forth. (Eugene Boudin)
Plein air paintings are life, and without them the rest of my work would die. Without it, I would have nothing to say in the studio, because without real-life experience, art is impossible. (Scott Burdick)
Working outdoors or from life puts you in direct contact with the life force, not just the light and the landscape, but also the vitality of the world around you. (George Carlson)
All pictures painted inside in the studio will never be as good as the things done outside. (Paul Cezanne)
I strive to capture the moment, that fleeting light or atmospheric effect, tackled with a sense of urgency and an awareness that the prevailing conditions are transient and will not be precisely repeated. (Trevor Chamberlain)
I'm constantly painting the landscape in my head as I drive along, and when I see something that refuses to give way to the next scene, I stop the car and turn around. (Gay Falkenberry)
Plein air painting and painting from a reference: The first is like going to Paris for two weeks with your girl friend, the second is like reading a book about Paris at the local library. (Sylvio Gagnon)
After a few plein air attempts, I found the fast and often half finished and underdone pieces were giving me more pleasure than laboriously ended paintings. So I am left with many "unfinished" works done for my soul and not for sale. (George Kubac)
When you're an artist - especially a plein air artist, where you're working outside - you see the best of life all the time. (Tom Nichols)
Artists who battle the elements, the extreme effort and the exhaustive study to be able to paint a high-quality work in one sitting, wet-on-wet while on location, have something very special to offer. (B. Eric Rhoads)
I would not encourage young artists today to paint in retrospect, but rather enjoy painting directly from life, where all the answers are looking right at you. (John Stobart)
Monet, Manet, Sisley, Renoir, Van Gogh and others went outside to paint for one simple reason - it looks different outside. (Mike Svob)
Please Sign the Guestbook
Thanks for visiting! Tell me what you think, or just say "Hi" !
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eliocamacho
This is a wonderful resource for plein air painters. Posted December 27, 2007 |
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LDianeJohnson
Jan, Wonderful lens! So comprehensive with super listing of resources Posted September 22, 2007 |
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StudioHaycross
I hope to get out to the local botanical gardens to do some of this myself, thanks for the inspiration. Posted August 22, 2007 |
Sanger ART
Jan, Being a plein air painter myself, I am always looking for websites on the subject. Yours is wonderful. Thanks for giving us all the treat!
Posted June 06, 2007
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RyanMullin
great lens. Posted June 03, 2007 |
