This monthly profile reveals the tools, techniques, background, and inspiration of some of the top plein air painters in the country.

Clyde Aspevig: A Living Landscape Legend

Aspevig Wind River Mountains oilClyde Aspevig's technically astute and aesthetically impressive landscape paintings haveplein air artist been inspiring collectors and painters alike for years, and he is often refered to as a living master among those in the landscape genre. Here, the artist offers valuable insight into how he continues to increase his understanding of nature, construct his own form of realism, and handle the business aspects of art.

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Camille Przewodek: Seeing the Light

Przewodek Aerial Perspective oilCalifornia landscape painter Camille Przewodek credits her teacher Henry Hensche withplein air opening her eyes to a new way of seeing and setting her career on a path filled with color and light.

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Strengthen your landscape-painting skills with tools and tips on everything from learning how to achieve accurate values under quickly moving light to setting up your equipment and dealing with the elements.

Workshop Critiques: Tips From Top Instructors

plein airMatt Smith One of the best parts of a workshop usually comes at the end, when the instructor assesses the students’ work and points out areas where they excelled while giving specific advice for those areas that need improvement. Here we’ve compiled critique sessions from top plein air painters featured in our quarterly publication Workshop, to help you learn from both the instructors’ feedback and the students’ progress.

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Plein Air Pointers: Values

Kroll-Roberts oilAttend any realist art class in any medium or genre, and at some point the instructor is going toplein air painting tips tool bring up the topic of values. Here’s what two historical artists and two contemporary artists have to say on the subject as it relates to landscape painting.

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From the Impressionists to the Hudson River School to landscape painters of today, plein air painting has been around for centuries. This section features exhibition reviews, art-historical articles, and other highlights on some of the most important landscape painters in history. Read about the history of the plein air movement.

Nicolas Poussin and Nature

0803pous2_600x446Nicolas Poussin was one of the first painters to legitimize landscape painting as a classical genre and was also one of the first to paint directly from nature. In the May 2008 issue of American Artist, John Parks gives us a look at the life, inspiration, and output of this influential artist, who is also the subject of the “Poussin and Nature: Arcadian Visions” exhibition currently on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

To read the full version of this article and other articles on exhibitions, subscribe to American Artist today!

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EXHIBITION: J.M.W. Turner

0802turn1_427x600_2 This retrospective features the life work of the great English landscape painter J.M.W. Turner and showcases his incredible ability to capture luminous light and atmosphere.

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More Plein Air Features
Read more about top plein air painters and get more landscape-painting advice in these articles taken from American Artist and Workshop magazines.

Plein Air Painting in Watercolor

Simons watercolor plein airNothing can substitute for firsthand knowledge of the landscape, but being productive as a painter on-site takes some practice.

Watch an audio slideshow demonstration of Simons' technique.

To read more features like this, subscribe to Watercolor today!

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Morgan Samuel Price: Painting With a Positive Attitude

0803pric1_600x448_2Morgan Samuel Price helps workshop participants overcome their feelings of intimidation and inadequacy during her frequent demonstrations, individual discussions, and group critiques.

To read more features like this, subscribe to Workshop today!

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Events

Paint Alexandria: An Educational Plein Air Event

Paint AlexandriaUnlike most competitive plein air events, Paint Alexandria's main purpose is to educate its participants and the public through a weekend filled with on-site demonstrations,workshops, and lectures.

Browse more plein air events.

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In Focus

Self-Portrait Competition Extended Deadline: May 19

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Enter American Artist's Self-Portrait Competition, and win valuable prizes!

Extended entry deadline: May 19, 2008

If you are chosen, your artwork will also be reproduced in the print edition of American Artist, on the magazine’s website, and in one of the magazine’s e-newsletters.

CLICK HERE to enter now!

SPONSORED BY:
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