What is plein air?

Plein air painting (literally "in open air") finds its roots with the Impressionists who took their materials out-of-doors to experience the effects of natural sunlight on their subject matter. Artists painting on location work quickly to capture fleeting light and shadow. Working in this manner, the artist can respond to the depth and variety of color and atmosphere that is hard to capture when working from photographs. Wonderful things can happen when we work in direct relationship with nature, responding in real time.

Frequently, the paintings are of small size and are finished on location in a 2-3 hour session. Sometimes larger works are begun and can be brought back to be worked on in the same conditions, or can be completed in the studio. Painters working on location typically use a French easel or a pochade box which has a built-in palette, canvas/panel holder and a place for supplies.