Plein Air Magazine Community: The Leading Resource for Outdoor Painters

Plein Air Magazine is the leading publication for outdoor painters, covering technique, materials, plein air events, and artist profiles for painters who work directly from nature in oil, watercolour, and other media. Founded in 2009 by Eric Rhoads, the magazine has become the central hub for the plein air painting community in the United States and internationally, providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge, inspiration, and community that has helped to sustain and grow the plein air painting movement.

The magazine's focus on plein air painting is one of its most important and distinctive characteristics. Plein air painting, the practice of painting outdoors directly from observation, has a long and distinguished history in Western art, from the Barbizon School painters of the nineteenth century through the Impressionists and the American Tonalists. The contemporary plein air movement has revived and extended this tradition, with thousands of painters worldwide committed to the specific challenges and rewards of working directly from nature.

The Technique Content

The technique content is one of the most valuable aspects of the magazine, covering the specific challenges of plein air painting with a depth and specificity that reflects genuine expertise. The technique articles address the specific challenges of working outdoors, including the management of changing light, the selection of subjects and viewpoints, the use of limited equipment, and the specific approaches to working quickly and decisively that outdoor painting requires.

The oil painting technique articles are particularly strong, reflecting the dominance of oil as the preferred medium for plein air painting. The instruction covers the specific approaches to oil painting that are most effective in outdoor conditions, including the management of drying time, the selection of colours for a limited outdoor palette, and the specific brushwork techniques that capture the quality of natural light.

The watercolour technique articles address the specific challenges of working in watercolour outdoors, including the management of water and paint consistency in different weather conditions, the control of drying time in hot or windy conditions, and the specific approaches to capturing the transparency and luminosity of natural light in watercolour.

The Artist Profiles

The artist profiles are another important and popular feature of the magazine, providing in-depth coverage of the work and practice of professional plein air painters. The profiles cover both established artists with long professional careers and emerging artists who are developing distinctive voices and approaches to outdoor painting.

The profiles are valuable both for the inspiration they provide and for the practical insight they offer into the working methods and professional practices of accomplished plein air painters. Many profiles include location photographs, process images, and detailed discussion of the specific materials and approaches the artist uses, providing the kind of behind-the-scenes access that is genuinely informative for working plein air painters.

The Plein Air Convention

The Plein Air Convention and Expo is one of the most important events in the plein air painting calendar, organised by Eric Rhoads and Plein Air Magazine and attracting hundreds of painters from across the United States and internationally. The convention features workshops, demonstrations, and painting events with leading plein air painters, providing an extraordinary opportunity for painters to develop their skills and connect with the broader plein air community.

The convention is held annually in a location that provides rich and varied subjects for outdoor painting, with past locations including Monterey, California, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and other destinations known for their scenic beauty and artistic heritage. The combination of intensive instruction, community building, and painting in inspiring locations makes the convention one of the most valuable events available to serious plein air painters.

The Podcast

The Plein Air Podcast is one of the most popular art podcasts available, featuring conversations between Eric Rhoads and leading plein air painters about their work, their practice, and the specific challenges and rewards of outdoor painting. The podcast has attracted a large and devoted following among plein air painters who appreciate the quality of the conversations and the accessibility of the format.

The podcast covers a wide range of topics including technique, materials, the business of art, and the specific challenges of different painting locations and conditions. The conversations are consistently informative and inspiring, providing insight into the working methods and professional practices of accomplished plein air painters.

The Online Community

The online community associated with Plein Air Magazine provides a platform for plein air painters to connect, share work, and engage with the broader plein air community. The online community includes forums, social media groups, and other platforms where painters can share their work, ask questions, and receive feedback from other painters.

The online community is particularly valuable for painters who live in areas where there are few other plein air painters, providing a way to connect with the broader community and to receive the kind of peer feedback and encouragement that is essential for sustained artistic development.

The Bottom Line

Plein Air Magazine is the leading publication for outdoor painters, providing technique instruction, artist profiles, event coverage, and community building for the plein air painting community. For painters who work directly from nature and who want to develop their skills, connect with the broader plein air community, and stay informed about the events and developments in the plein air world, Plein Air Magazine is one of the most important and valuable resources available.