What is Plein Air painting?

Plein Air painting is when the artist leaves their studio behind and experiences painting and drawing in the landscape. The practice goes back for centuries but was truly made into an art form by the French Impressionists. Their desire to paint light and its changing, ephemeral qualities, coupled with the creation of transportable paint tubes and the box easel—the precursor to the plein air easels of today—allowed artists the freedom to paint “en plein air,” which is the French expression for “in the open air.”

Painting on location in Antigua.

Painting on location in the Outer Banks.

Painting on location in the NJ Botanical Gardens.

Painting on location in the NJ Highlands.

Painting on location in Ringwood Manor State Park.

What I love most about Plein air painting is that it serves as a deeply personal visual diary for me. Each time I revisit my Plein Air sketches, I find myself immersed in the memories of the time, place, and moment of when the Plein air sketches were created. The sensations from those experiences come flooding back, allowing me to relive each moment vividly. I can even recall the events of that day as if they were unfolding before me once again.

For many, photographs serve as a means to relive memories. However, for me, they simply pale in comparison to the experiences that arise from plein air painting.

I find that when I’m immersed in the act of painting, I engage with my surroundings in a way that is profoundly different. This active participation fosters a deep connection, creating memories that are not only visual but also spatial and sensory. Each painting captures a moment in time, embedding it within a rich tapestry of experiences that can be drawn upon in the future.

What materials do I use for Plein Air Painting?

I use a Julian Full French Easel and a Cappaletto Sonia Field Easel. Check out the video below where I demonstrate how I have streamlined my Cappaletto Sonia Field Easel for efficiency and portability.