Quick answer: Outdoor painting is called plein air painting, from the French phrase en plein air, meaning in the open air. It means painting a scene on location, directly from observation, rather than working from photographs or memory in a studio. Painters in any medium can work plein air, including oils, acrylics, watercolors and gouache.
When people ask what is outdoor painting called, the answer is plein air, and if you have seen a painter set up an easel in a park, on a hillside or beside a harbor, you have seen plein air painting. The term is used in galleries, art schools, competitions and painting clubs, and it has a long history that stretches back well before the term was fashionable. It describes a way of working as much as a style: the artist looks at a real scene and responds to it quickly, usually in a single session.
This explainer covers what plein air means, where it came from, how it differs from studio painting, which paints and supports suit it, what kit you need, and how to get started. If you are choosing a painting surface for outdoor sessions, the guide to the best canvas for outdoor painting explains your options in more detail.
What Does Plein Air Mean?
Plein air (pronounced roughly “plen air”) is French for “full air” or “open air.” The full phrase en plein air means “in the open air.” In art, it refers to painting outdoors and finishing, or at least beginning, the work on the spot.
You will also see these related terms:
- Plein air painter or plein airist: An artist who paints outdoors.
- Plein air painting: The activity or the resulting work.
- Open-air painting: A plain English version of the same idea.
- Landscape painting: The subject matter, which can be done outdoors or in a studio. Landscape and plein air overlap but are not the same thing.
- Studio painting: Painting indoors, often from sketches, photographs or memory.
A Short History of Plein Air Painting
Early outdoor studies
Artists made outdoor sketches and oil studies long before the term became popular. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, painters in Europe made small oil sketches of clouds, trees and landscapes to study light and weather, then used them as reference for larger studio works.
The Barbizon school
In the mid-1800s, a group of French painters gathered in and around the village of Barbizon near the Forest of Fontainebleau. They painted landscapes directly from nature and helped move landscape painting toward a more direct, observational approach.
The invention of the paint tube
A major practical change came with the invention of the collapsible metal paint tube in the 1840s. Before that, painters stored paint in pig bladders or other containers that were awkward to carry. Portable tubes made it far easier to take oil paint outdoors. Many art historians credit this development with helping the Impressionists work on location.
The Impressionists
The Impressionists, including painters such as Monet, Renoir, Pissarro and Sisley, made plein air painting central to their work. They focused on capturing the changing effects of light and atmosphere, often completing paintings quickly to record a moment. Their approach changed how many people think about landscapes.
Today
Plein air painting remains popular. Painting clubs, regional festivals and competitions often feature artists painting on location, and many hobbyists enjoy it as a way to combine art and time outdoors.
Plein Air vs Studio Painting
| Factor | Plein air | Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Subject reference | Direct observation | Photos, sketches, memory |
| Light | Constantly changing | Controlled |
| Time per painting | Often one to three hours | Days to weeks possible |
| Detail level | Usually simplified, bold shapes | Can be highly refined |
| Weather | A major factor | Not a factor |
| Equipment | Portable, minimal | Full studio setup |
| Main skill | Quick decisions and simplification | Planning and refinement |
Many artists combine the two, making small plein air studies and using them to develop larger works in the studio.
What Makes Plein Air Painting Different?
Light changes quickly
Over a couple of hours, the sun moves and shadows shift. Plein air painters learn to decide early on the lighting they will paint and stick with it, often by noting the direction of the shadows at the start.
You edit the scene
Nature offers far more detail than you can paint. Plein air training emphasizes simplifying: reducing the scene to large shapes, a few value levels and a limited palette.
You work fast
Speed encourages bold brushwork and a focus on the overall impression. Many painters set a time limit, such as 90 minutes, to avoid overworking.
You face practical challenges
Wind, bugs, sun glare, passers-by and changing weather all affect the experience. Preparation reduces the stress.
Which Paints Work for Plein Air?
Oil paint
Oils are the traditional plein air choice. They dry slowly, which allows blending, but wet paintings must be transported carefully. Painting panels and boxes designed for wet-paint transport help.
Acrylic paint
Acrylics dry fast, which suits changing conditions and makes transport easier. The speed can be a challenge for blending, so many painters use a retarder or a wet palette.
Watercolor and gouache
Watercolor is compact and lightweight, which is useful for travel. Gouache is opaque and handy for quick studies. Both dry quickly outdoors, especially in heat and wind.
Other media
Pastels, ink, charcoal and pencil all work outdoors as well. Plein air is a practice rather than a specific material.
Surfaces: Canvas, Panels and Paper
The surface you choose affects how easy it is to carry and how the paint behaves.
- Stretched canvas: Familiar and available in many sizes. It can catch the wind like a sail, and larger sizes are harder to transport.
- Canvas panels: Canvas mounted on a rigid board, lighter and flatter than a stretched canvas and easy to stack and carry.
- Wood or hardboard panels: Firm and portable when primed properly.
- Paper and pads: Light and suited to watercolor, gouache and sketching.
- Canvas pads: Pads of canvas-textured sheets give you multiple surfaces in one lightweight package.
Smaller sizes, such as 8 by 10 or 9 by 12 inches, are popular for plein air because they can be finished in a single sitting and are easy to carry. If you are comparing options, the guide to the best canvas for plein air artists can help you decide.
Painting Essentials: Outdoor Tips for Beginners
Equipment checklist
- A portable easel or pochade box, or a sturdy lap setup
- A limited palette of paints, usually a warm and cool version of each primary plus white
- A few brushes, such as one large flat, one medium and one small round
- Two or three painting surfaces
- A palette, palette knife and paper towels
- Water container (for water-based paints) or odorless solvent in a sealed container (for oils)
- A viewfinder or small card with a rectangular hole to frame the scene
- A hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and a folding stool
- A bag for trash and a way to carry wet paintings
Choose a simple first subject
Pick something with clear shapes, such as a tree against sky, a single building or a view with simple foreground, middle ground and background. Avoid scenes with complicated detail at first.
Do thumbnail sketches
Spend five or ten minutes making small value sketches. Decide on the composition, the lights and darks and the main focal point before you start painting.
Block in large shapes first
Start with big areas of sky, land and water, then add mid-tones, then details. Keep your first marks loose and thin.
Watch the light
Note where the shadows fall at the start and keep them consistent in the painting even as the actual light moves.
Set a time limit
Stopping before you are fully satisfied often leads to a fresher painting than continuing too long.
Protect your work
Carry wet paintings in a wet-panel carrier, a box with slots or a purpose-built holder. Keep surfaces from touching each other.
Terms You Will Hear at Paint-Outs
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pochade box | A small portable box that holds paints and a panel, often mounted on a tripod |
| French easel | A folding wooden easel with built-in storage, popular for outdoor work |
| Alla prima | Painting wet-into-wet in one session, common for plein air work |
| Value study | A small sketch showing only lights, mids and darks |
| Paint-out | A group event where artists paint on location, sometimes timed |
| Quick draw | A timed painting event, often followed by a sale or auction |
| Study | A small, fast painting used to explore a subject or prepare for a larger work |
Common Beginner Mistakes in Plein Air Painting
- Bringing too much: A heavy kit makes you less likely to go out. Start small.
- Starting with details: Detail first leaves you without time for overall shapes. Block in large masses early.
- Chasing the light: Following the sun as it moves leads to a confusing mix of shadows. Fix your lighting decision early.
- Painting too large: Large surfaces take longer than the light allows. Smaller panels work better at first.
- Using too many colors: A limited palette keeps color harmony and reduces clutter.
- Ignoring the wind: An easel or stretched canvas can tip. Weigh your setup down or use a tether.
How Weather Affects Your Paint
Heat, wind and humidity change how paint behaves outdoors. In hot, dry, windy conditions acrylic and watercolor dry very quickly, so keep a spray bottle or wet palette handy. Oils may become sticky when it is cold. High humidity can slow drying, especially with watercolor and acrylic. Direct sun on a white painting surface can make colors look darker than they really are, so shade your panel when possible.
Safety and Courtesy Outdoors
- Check the weather forecast and dress in layers.
- Tell someone where you are going if you head to a remote place.
- Drink water and use sun protection.
- Check local rules for painting in parks, private property and protected areas.
- Keep your equipment out of walkways and pack out all trash.
- Dispose of solvents and paint waste properly, never into the ground or water.
Is Plein Air the Same as Painting for Outdoor Display?
No. Plein air is about where and how the painting is made, while outdoor display is about where the finished piece is hung. A painting made indoors can be displayed outdoors, and a plein air painting is often hung indoors. If you want to put a canvas painting on a porch or patio, protecting it from moisture and UV is a separate topic. The guide on how to seal a canvas painting for outdoor display covers that.
Plein Air Events and Communities
Many regions host plein air festivals and paint-outs, where artists paint in the same area over a set period, sometimes with a show or sale afterward. Local art clubs also organize group paint-outs, which are a friendly way to learn. Search for art societies near you, or ask at local art supply stores for information.
FAQs
What is outdoor painting called?
It is called plein air painting, from the French en plein air, meaning in the open air.
How do you pronounce plein air?
It is commonly said as “plen air,” with the first word similar to the English word plain but with a nasal vowel in French.
Is plein air painting only for landscapes?
No. Landscapes are the most common subject, but artists also paint buildings, streets, gardens, people and still life outdoors.
What paint is best for plein air?
Oils, acrylics, watercolors and gouache are all used. Choose what fits your travel needs and experience level.
Who started plein air painting?
Outdoor sketching has a long history, but the Barbizon school and the Impressionists in 19th-century France are strongly associated with popularizing it.
What do I need to start plein air painting?
A portable surface, a small set of paints and brushes, a way to hold them and basic outdoor supplies. A simple setup is enough to start.
Final Thoughts
Outdoor painting is called plein air painting, and it is a practical, rewarding way to learn about light, color and simplification. Start with a small surface, a limited palette and a simple subject, and let the practice build gradually.
When you are choosing your first surfaces, see the list of top canvases for plein air artists for portable options.
