PleinAir Magazine

08/01/2026

How to Make This Your Best Year as an Artist

Join Eric Rhoads For A Free, Live Training Session On Reclaiming Your Time, Focus, And Momentum — Before Distraction Quietly Takes Over Your Year.

04/01/2026

If you’ve ever felt pulled in too many creative directions, you’re not alone.

Wanting to paint more, improve, earn income, and be taken seriously isn’t the issue. Trying to do all of it at once is what stalls momentum.

Join Eric Rhoads, Publisher for a free live webinar on choosing a clear creative focus and building a year that actually moves forward.

When: Thursday, Jan. 8th at 2PM ET

Save your seat here: https://loom.ly/964Bhqk

03/01/2026

Here’s a look at what’s new in Plein Air Today: from nocturne painting tips to tools that make painting in the snow easier and more enjoyable. 🎨✨

Check them all out at OutdoorPainter.com.

For more inspiring articles, artist spotlights, and painting tips delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE Plein Air Today e-newsletter at https://loom.ly/m4qKAMc

02/01/2026

January is where creative years are decided.

Good intentions aren’t the problem. Distraction is.

Join for a free live training on reclaiming your time, focus, and momentum so painting doesn’t get pushed aside again.

Comment CREATIVE to save your seat!

🗓 Thursday, January 8th at 2PM ET

31/12/2025

November 2025 PleinAir Salon Art Competition Awards

Watch as we announce the winners of the November 2025 PleinAir Salon Art Competition that was judged by Master Artist William A. Schneider

29/12/2025

We love to hear from the Plein Air Today community! The following is part of a series that spotlights an artist who loves painting outdoors.

Check it out here: https://loom.ly/hc2WfU0

And for more inspiring stories like this one, sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter here: https://loom.ly/EmmY7CI

📷: Plein Air Today reader Therese Ely

26/12/2025

As a plein air artist, you are part of one of the largest art movements in history. In this “plein air heritage” series, learn about those who have helped start this movement in some way, and be inspired to continue your own journey of landscape painting.

Check it out here: https://loom.ly/fcNr2Vo

For more inspiring stories & painting inspiration, sign up for our FREE e-newsletter here: https://loom.ly/KVQQ-5I

23/12/2025

Plein air painting reminders you'll be glad you saved (from Gavin Glakas Art)

1. Plein air painting is hard. Give yourself permission to sit down every once in a while and read or just take a break. You’ll be way more productive.

2. Bring a hand mirror. You can always see your mistakes in the mirror.

3. Paint back to front (when possible). It’s much easier to overlap and build space.

4. Paint from the most important area to the least. By the time you finish the important stuff, you won’t be as tempted to overpaint the detail in the areas of lesser significance.

5. When you’re out of your comfort zone — say when you’re starting to paint trees or windows — start someplace unimportant. “Get the hang of it” before moving onto the areas the viewer will really notice.(The above three notes seem contradictory. They’re not.)

6. Remember that as color and value change, the color is always shifting to one side of the color wheel or the other.

7. Bring duct tape. I always need duct tape. On the last day I was working on my demo, the sunlight shone brightly from behind my panel and obscured the left side of the painting. I attached a piece of duct tape to the back of my panel to block the light.

8. Use Q-Tips cotton swabs as paint erasers.

Save this for your next painting day. 🎨✨

For more inspiring stories & painting inspiration, sign up for our FREE e-newsletter here: https://loom.ly/Yz3tcP8

🎨: Gavin Glakas, "Nights on P Street," Oil on panel, 16" x 24"

Connect with Gavin at gavinglakas.com.

19/12/2025

Meet Sam Paonessa, who has been painting the holiday greeting cards you see from Eric Rhoads, Publisher and our team each year!

Learn more about Sam and see his work here: https://loom.ly/IY-pMtY

15/12/2025

Painting a nocturne? Be mindful of this... 🌙🎨

“While teaching a workshop in Maine one September, I decided to do a nocturne demonstration for the group,” says California artist Tim Horn. “I arrived early and parked my rental car with the headlights shining on the wall of an old white building, which had been a church many years ago.

“My class and I chatted amiably as I worked, but we’d had a full day, and after about an hour the painters had seen enough and began walking back to their rooms. I took the painting as far as I could on location, then I packed up my gear and loaded it into the trunk of my car.

“When I turned the key to start the engine … nothing. Leaving the lights on for so long had drained the battery. It was around 9 p.m., my students had all gone home, and the neighborhood was empty and quiet. I locked the car and walked the half mile back to where I was staying. The next morning, one of the painters in the group with a set of jumper cables got me back up and running. ‘Over the Edge’ ended up being one of my favorite paintings from my month in Maine, and was well worth the long walk home in the dark.”

This a great reminder that when you paint at night, it’s not just about values and mood. It’s also about planning your light source (and your exit strategy!).

Connect with Tim Horn at www.timhornart.com.

15/12/2025

In case you missed it, here are 5 reminders from Jennifer McChristian. (From her recent Plein Air Podcast: Episode 252)

Listen to the full podcast episode with Eric Rhoads, Publisher here: https://loom.ly/Vu-zAho

We pulled these reminders from Jennifer McChristian's recent PleinAir Magazine Plein Air Podcast (Episode 252) and they’re exactly the kind of grounding truths we all need going into the weekend (or whenever you need to reset your creative mindset):

1. Show up even when you don’t feel ready.

Jennifer talks about the discipline built in intense art environments: structure, commitment, and taking the work seriously. Growth happens when painting becomes a habit, not a mood-dependent activity.

2. Choose learning environments that push you.

She sought serious, structured training because she wanted growth, not chaos. Know what kind of learning you thrive under and choose mentors accordingly.

3. Your background isn’t random, it’s part of your style.

Her graphic design and animation roots show up in her compositions, clarity, and storytelling. Everything you’ve done enriches your voice.

4. Identity matters: Call yourself an artist.

Jennifer grew up with parents who reinforced the identity early. If you feel stuck, start by claiming the identity, your skills will rise to meet it.

5. Follow energy.

She naturally gravitated toward art because that’s where she felt alive. Listen to where your attention wants to go. Your intuition is like a compass!

Listen to her full podcast episode here: https://loom.ly/_V6nuHA

Exciting news! Our Holiday SALE is live and you can get Jennifer's videos at a discount for a limited time. Head over to https://loom.ly/ndxmuto to shop now!