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What is Plein Air Painting?
Plein air literally translates as "open air" and is defined as painting
or drawing outside - in the open air. It is the practice of painting
landscape pictures out-of-doors. Artists have long painted outdoors,
but in the mid-1800's working in natural light became particularly
important to the Impressionist. The popularity of plein air painting
remained constant through the 19th and 20th centuries and lives on
today.
These works are taken directly from nature and infused with a feeling of
open air. Painting from life is a pursuit unlike any other painting
technique. It challenges artists to concentrate completely on the
information in front of them. Their senses absorb it all . . . from
sight to sound . . . from temperature to atmosphere . . . then channel
these feelings into their vision in paint and paper or canvas.
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