Shh! Listen for the sights and sounds of nature. They are calling you to come and enjoy them. The French expression, En Plein Air, translates to “in the open air.” The style of artistically interpreting nature while in the moment is known as Plein Air painting.
Artists who paint outdoors love capturing nature in its brilliant glory. Plein Air painting in visually stimulating natural settings is an enchanting experience. But it’s not just the sights because painting in the open air engages all your senses.
Imagine immersing yourself in the warmth of a sunny day in a beautiful natural setting. You hear a running stream; a gentle breeze rolls through trees and caresses your face as you sense energizing outdoor scents. Embracing elements such as these generate delightful moments that add to the joy of working at the easel outdoors. Painting Plein Air preserves memories of cherished moments spent celebrating nature’s wonders.
Few things compare to the pleasant encompassing experiences Plein Air painting offers. While I’ve described a serene, pastoral setting above, you can paint outdoors anywhere, downtown street corners, deserted beaches, or bustling parks on a warm spring day. The variety of options to paint Plein Air style is endless. Make it a solo experience to drink in nature in solitude or organize a picnic outing with friends and fellow painters for a whole other experience.
Artists crave creative freedom, making Plein Air painting perfect because it has no rules. Find a spot, pick the prettiest viewpoint, and begin to create. Every work you paint need not be a masterpiece. There is delight and value in the doing. To be outdoors, to celebrate nature, and to unleash your creativity all at once is reason enough to paint Plein Air whenever possible.
Plen Air painting improves your art-making skills. You learn to work fast and to trust your instincts and talents. You discover how changing sunlight alters perspective, color, values, and even interpreting shapes. The best camera cannot record what you can see with the naked eye in Plein Air settings. It is invigorating to pull in all available visual information and quickly translate it into a unique artistic creation.
Art is a gift to the future, and Plein Air painting is a gift to yourself. It is personal time spent to reflect, absorb, and deeply engage in the splendor of nature while making art. There may be no better way to separate oneself from the stresses of everyday life.
Taking time for a Plein Air painting outing is perhaps the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones. Besides creating art, the experience rejuvenates your spirit. A few hours spent pleasantly absorbing nature and creating art are as good a self-care tonic as you can give yourself. A refreshed you can better provide care to those around you who need it.
Organizing Plein Air painting outings takes a lot of planning and energy. But I can say the results make the work worthwhile. Sharing the many gifts painting outdoors brings, the memories it creates, and the artwork that comes from it is gratifying beyond words. I’m here to help and guide you toward having the best Plein Air paining experience possible. All skill levels are welcome. It would be an honor and pleasure to have you join me on an upcoming Plein Air painting trip. Please use this link to subscribe to my newsletter and receive notifications of future events.
View my YouTube Plein Air Videos to get a sense of what it is like to paint outdoors.