ITALY PLEIN AIR

The plein air experience

The works featured here were all done outdoors, en plein air. "Plein air" is a french term meaning “open air.” The term was coined in the mid 19th century when French artists first began to paint outdoors. Plein air painting is a vital part of the landscape painters' practice, for only there can they take their foundation lessons in color translation. Plein air works are typically executed in one session and are quite small, but what they lack in size, they more than make up for in immediacy and expressiveness. Such works may also serve as preparatory studies for larger works to be completed in the studio.

Plein air painting in Lubriano (Umbria), Italy in September 2017.

On Location with Stasinos and Albala: Same Subject, Different Visions

"The Approach” – Four Essential Steps to Plein Air Painting

Ways of Interpreting Color: In the Studio vs. Plein Air