En Plein Air

By Lisa September 27th, 2010

I love how calling a technique by its French name sounds so sophisticated! En plein air painting means, literally, “in the open air” and refers to the act of painting outdoors. Of course artists have long enjoyed painting outside, but in the mid-nineteenth century working in natural light became a focus for Impressionistic painters. In the 1870s paints in tubes were introduced, (paint in what looks like a toothpaste tube) which meant the painters didn’t need to make their own paints. Another asset invented around the same time was the “Box Easel;” an easel with telescopic legs and built in paint box that made walking to a beautiful site with supplies possible.

En plein air painting is enjoying a resurgence today with clubs and classes offered all over the world. One of our favorite local artists, Ann Tristani, has taken advantage of these opportunities and created some wonderful pieces of her own. Check them out!