About Plein Air Painting
“Plein air” is a term describing a French art movement starting about 1865. Monet, Renoir and Pissaro were prominent artist in this group. The artists involved in this movement chose to represent the effects of outdoor light and air not observable in the studio.
The Plein air painter is interested in capturing the experience on first seeing a view – in the totality and without undue attention to detail. The Plein air painter is concerned with light and color and the emotional response the scene evokes.
My Experience With Plein Air
When I first began my art career, I worked with pastel and watercolors in my studio. I began to experiment with acrylic and then moved on to oil painting. Then I discovered plein air painting and I was hooked. I have always loved to be outdoors and to be outdoors and to paint and to do this in Alaska is the perfect combination. Plein air has taught me to really see. Painting from life is “the moment of truth”.
