The Amazing Benefits of Plein Air Painting for Growing Artists who want to Breath Fresh Air, Stay Interesting, and Develop Their Style

Plein air painting is super rewarding.

It’s also a big challenge.

But that’s why it’s so beneficial. And fun.

Here are reasons why growing artists paint outside.

Open Spaces

Plein air gets you out of your cramped studio.

How can you expand your creativity? If you’re stuck inside?

Get outside to breath fresh air and appreciate nature.

The landscape holds boundless subject matter inspiration.

Plein air trains your eye to observe the real world.

True color no camera can match. Reality is always more impressive than a photo.

Admire bouncing light and subtle shadows. Study forms and surface textures.

You gain practice in color mixing, simplification, composition, values, and speed.

Like a sonnet, plein air is a beautiful constraint.

Typically you paint smaller, with less colors, fewer brushes, and faster.

This makes for fresh, bold, loose paintings.

No time to overthink or finesse. Pure application and intuitive execution.

Plein air builds an adaptable, flexible, resourceful mindset.

Like nature, you are dynamic, and learn to adjust to changing conditions.

You need to carry minimal gear and plan ahead for various weather.

It makes you solve painting problems by forcing decisions in limited time.

Many artists and collectors appreciate the coveted “plein air” label.

“WOW! You painted this outside? In the elements?”

Be proud of this accomplishment.

It’s not easy, but you can create something worthy, outside, on location.

Many plein air artists attend workshops, paint outs, competitions, and conventions.

It’s a great way to meet other growing artists. And make new friends.

A passerby might appreciate your work, and later becomes a collector.

So always be kind to spectators. Say hello. Thank them for their admirations.

When you paint outside, you paint from your own eyes.

You select a scene that is unique to your preferences.

You apply your own approach and techniques.

This ensures an interesting painting. And this helps build your style.

All these benefits of plein air help you grow quickly as an artist.

It gets you outside, and offers unique skills, that is not possible in a controlled studio.

It’s fun, fulfilling, and a good practice.

Get out there. Enjoy the challenge.