When enjoying the outdoors, many of us have seen an artist equipped with paint palette and easel, creating their own version of the scene before them. This popular style of painting, known as plein air, celebrates the immediate and often unpredictable beauty of the outdoors. Unsurprisingly, most plein-air paintings are landscapes.
So what differentiates “plein air” from traditional landscapes, and how did it develop? A look at history offers some clues.

Prior to the 1400s, landscapes were not so important, and they were included in images primarily as backgrounds for religious or mythical scenes. With the beginning of the Renaissance period, representational art emerged, and landscapes gained popularity as singular images. During this time, landscape paintings were often created as commissions for wealthy patrons, being used to decorate palaces, estates, and public buildings. Landscape paintings from this era were typically created in a studio, based on a sketch or from memory. This setting allowed for a highly detailed, careful, and ideal composition.

Landscape art continued to evolve through the decades, with artists ‘bringing nature indoors’ for their patrons and creating beautiful and natural scenes of the countryside. By the mid-1800s, with the advent of portable paint tubes and the box easel, it became easier for artists to work outside their studios, and a new style of landscape art appeared, “plein air.” Derived from a French term meaning “open air,” this became the practice of painting outdoors with the subject in full view. In this way, the artist could witness firsthand the environment and strive to capture the changing light, weather conditions, and colors of the landscape. Plein air painting often features loose brushwork, vibrant colors, and a sense of immediacy. These stylistic features continued to cultivate and were important to the development of Impressionism. Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Camille Pissarro all embraced plein-air painting.

Southern California artist E.E. Jacks spoke to us about her practice of plein air painting, which began 15 years ago and assisted her in learning how to capture the nuanced play of light and changing environmental conditions. “I would often pursue the light at sunrise and sunset, exploring various coves along Laguna Beach,” explained Jacks. “Despite facing challenges like time constraints, wind, sand, rogue dogs, rogue humans, insects, and more, I firmly believe that plein air painting profoundly influences my studio practice. It has honed my ability to work efficiently, compose confidently, and swiftly blend desired hues, and it remains the most influential teacher in my artistic toolbox.” Jack’s outdoor daytime and nocturne adventures have been filled with memorable experiences, such as befriending a pelican and weathering intense storms that once whisked away a 16″x20″ canvas. “I encourage every artist in every medium to extend an eye to the outdoors,” said Jacks. “You’ll be surprised by the profound connections you find between the dynamic moving world and your work.”

A brief summary – While traditional landscape painting focuses on meticulously composed scenes, plein-air painting celebrates the immediate beauty of nature through looser compositions. On your next outdoor excursion, consider the light and colors around you, and you’ll be looking at nature through a ‘plein air’ lens.

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