I have been plein air painting for the past two months in places such as Red Rocks Park, Golden, Vail, and Genessee, Colorado. Plein Air Painting is an art practice that has been around for centuries but really was used during the French Impressionists movement (think Claude Monet, Henri Mattisse, etc.)  Contributing To  the impressionist artists’ desires to be engrossed in nature to study light and color was the 19th century invention of portable easels and paint tubes, The  simplification of details as well as the expression in textures, colors, and light are overarching qualities of impressionism that I consider as I’m painting. 

From a personal perspective, the outdoors is an incredible experience that feels so much more alive than working from photographic experience. To demonstrate my point, the texture of grass makes more sense as it waves in the wind and makes dry, rustling sounds, doesn’t it? The colors and color relationships are more tangible and dynamic in life too, along with the always-changing light of day. 

Plein air artwork is notoriously known for plein air painting. Nonetheless, any medium can be used plein air. Pastel, Pencils, charcoal, watercolor, and so much more.