What is Plein Air?

Every so often I am asked this question so thought I would repeat an earlier posting to help answer it:

"Plein Air" is used to describe the act of painting outside rather than in a studio and it also is used to describe the actual picture created outside. The term comes from the French phrase "en plein air" meaning "in the open or fresh air".

Artists used to have to actually grind up minerals, soils, etc. and mix them to a binding medium to make it into paint. Sometimes it didn't turn out just right. An example of a failed experiment in a new way of mixing paint is Leonardo di Vinci's Last Supper. The paint did not adhere to the wall and has flaked off in large areas.

During the early impressionist period, paint tubes were invented and railroads had been built. These two things made it easy for artists to get out in the country for a day of painting. The artists could now escape the smoky, dirty air and smells and sounds of a time of "horsepower" in the city and literally paint in the fresh air of the country! From this activity came the French easel, a box on legs to hold paint tubes, brushes and a mast to hold a canvas.

Now, a resurgence of "plein air" artists are enjoying painting in the "open air" with the bird sounds and beautiful views. Keep your eyes open for them and you will probably find some!