Plein Air FAQs

 What is a plein air paint-out?

 'En plein air' is the french phrase meaning 'in the open air' and in art terms it tefers to painting landscape on location ie, not in the studio from sketches or photographs. A paint-out is the term used nowadays when two or more artists arrange to paint outdoors together for company and convenience.

 Why paint outdoors?

 Apart from the fresh air, company and excitement? Plein air encourages accuracy in observing colour and value (tone), it is a full-on 5-sense stimulus, and paradoxically, it tends to encourage the artist not to be detailed or photographic but to distill and summarise what he is seeing and to abstract from the scene before him. As the light and the shadows outside change so quickly compared to the studio, it is important to decide what are the essentials, to establish the mood, to include only telling details that contribute to the painting and to also to paint decisively.

I usually paint on my own. Why paint in a group? 

Painting in the open can be daunting at first, so many artists enjoy combining art and good company by painting outdoors as part of an art club or circle of friends on a 'Paint Out'. Even accomplished, professional artists often enjoy painting outside with friends. It can be a welcome break in a profession whose practitioners can be sometimes quite isolated from their fellows. The Impressionists and the Barbizon School, the Newlyn Group and St. Ives artists all benefited from painting together, en plein air. Being part of a group can help you be more committed, to learn faster than painting alone and gain encouragement from others.

Is a paint out a workshop?

No. It is simply for artists to paint outdoors together, They may learn from each other but teaching, as such, is not involved. Any Plein Air workshops we hear of will be posted on the Events Tab above.

Do I have to live in Ireland to join this site?

No, PLEIN EIRE is primarily for plein air painters in Ireland but anyone can join this site including artists interested in attending the Art in the Open plein air festival . Groups can use the PLEIN EIRE site to arrange  paint-outs and events. Most are entirely free while some may have restrictions or membership fees. (See individual group pages for guidelines regarding non-members attending).

If Plein Eire is free, what's the catch?

PLEIN EIRE website is free to join and to use for the purpose intended. There's no catch and it is currently supported by our sponsor, Spectrum Art & Framing, based in Wexford, Ireland.

What art materials and painting gear are suitable for painting outside?

Watercolours, oils, acrylics and pastels can all be used, as well as sketching media. Cutting down on clutter can be a helpful discipline but everyone has their own comfort zone of how much gear to bring and how much to leave behind. See Plein Air Tips for tested wisdom and ingenious ideas, or ask on the Forum.

Things overheard at the Easel:

• Are you an artist?
• What's it meant to be?
• How long have you been here?
• What'll you do with it when you're finished?
• Do you sell them?
• For how much?
• How much?!
• My auntie paints - and she's really good.
• Did you get permission to paint that?
• What are you painting that for?
• Where's your teacher?