Making a successful plein air painting is a big challenge.

It’s actually more about preparation and mindset, than painting skills.

So for growing artists, here are 5 small (but easily fixable) mistakes most people make. If you can avoid these, your paintings have an exponentially higher chance of success.

1. Too Much Gear

  • Carrying too much drains your energy and focus.

  • Keep your setup light and simple with just the essentials.

  • Save your effort for the painting, not lugging supplies.

2. Being Unprepared For The Weather

  • Your preparation for weather can make or break a painting session.

  • Check the forecast and dress for hot, cold, windy, rainy, buggy, etc.

  • Stay comfortable so you can focus on painting.

3. Chasing The Light

  • Natural light and color changes quickly, especially on sunny days.

  • Block in big shapes and values, then stick to them.

  • Embrace this constraint to paint fast, bold, and loose.

4. Failing To Simplify Complexity

  • Nature is full of distracting detail, so don’t paint every leaf.

  • Group shapes and focus on the big picture.

  • Strong values and large shapes are your foundation.

5. Being Too Hard On Yourself

  • Treat plein air painting as a sketch or practice

  • Not every painting is going to be a masterpiece.

  • Be kind to yourself and enjoy the process.

See and avoid these common mistakes. You will have a much better chance of a successful plein air painting and enjoyable time outside.

ALTERNATE in sentences

Making a successful plein air painting is a big challenge.

It’s actually more about preparation and mindset, than painting skills.

So for growing artists, here are 5 small (but easily fixable) mistakes most people make. If you can avoid these, your paintings have an exponentially higher chance of success.

Too much gear

Bringing too much gear will drain your energy before you even start painting. You have to carry it all, set it up, and manage it—adding unnecessary stress. Keep it light and simple so you can focus on the painting, not on lugging around a mountain of supplies.

Being unprepared for the weather

Weather can make or break your outdoor painting session. It’s often too hot, too cold, too windy, or too buggy—so check the forecast and dress accordingly. When you’re comfortable, you’ll be able to focus on your painting instead of battling wet feet or freezing hands.

Chasing the light

Light changes quickly in nature, especially on sunny days. You have about 30 minutes before the scene noticeably shifts, so block in your big shapes fast. If you keep adjusting your painting to match the light, you’ll overwork it—stick with your initial plan.

Failing to simplify complexity

Nature is full of overwhelming detail—every leaf, rock, and shadow can distract you. Focus on simplifying by grouping shapes and capturing the overall structure. Strong values and big shapes are the foundation of a successful painting.

Being hard on yourself

A plein air painting is often just a sketch—quick and imperfect. Take a reference photo and treat the outdoor session as practice for a more refined studio piece later. Be kind to yourself; it doesn’t need to be a masterpiece in one sitting.

By seeing and avoiding these common mistakes, you have a much better chance of a successful plein air painting.