Plein Air Painting 2025

Plein air painting is the practice of painting outdoors, where artists directly observe the landscape. Artists bring their materials to the site and work on location to capture natural light, color, and atmosphere. This method requires quick decision-making due to the changing weather and lighting conditions. It challenges artists to simplify forms and focus on essentials. Plein air painting improves observation skills and deepens understanding of color relationships and spatial depth. Artists often complete studies on-site and may refine or expand them later in the studio. It’s a practical exercise that builds technical skill, visual memory, and confidence in working efficiently under natural conditions.

Here are three of my recent plein air paintings:

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"Rose Garden in July." I was mesmerized by the flowers' soft colors.

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"Rose Garden 2". Toward the far side of the Rose Garden, there is a small wooded area. I set up there to avoid the crowds.

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"Woodland Park". Every direction you turn—trees! This one took about an hour.

Watch for more plein air paintings in future posts!