Plein Air Painting: Mastering Light, Tone & Colour Outdoors

Learn how to set up, simplify landscapes, mix greens, and capture nature with confidence using a limited palette.

What you'll learn

How to set up and paint using a half French easel

Use of a 6-colour limited palette to simplify decision-making

Mix greens effectively for naturalistic landscapes

Simplify tonal values to strengthen compositions

Compose outdoor scenes with clarity and intention

Paint coastal landscapes from start to finish

Create depth and distance in plein air paintings

Understand cloud forms and atmospheric perspective

Use hard and soft edges to guide the viewer's eye

Work confidently on larger canvases in outdoor settings

Requirements

Basic familiarity with painting is helpful but not essential

Access to plein air painting materials (listed in the course)

A willingness to work outdoors and embrace imperfection

Some experience with acrylics or oils is useful but not required

Description

Step outside the studio and into the fresh air with this comprehensive Plein Air painting course, designed to boost your confidence and creativity when painting on location. Whether you're a studio-based painter wanting to explore the outdoors or a complete beginner with a love for nature, this course offers the skills, structure, and inspiration to help you thrive outside.You’ll learn how to set up and work with a half French easel, manage your materials efficiently, and use a limited colour palette to simplify your process. We’ll focus on capturing light and mood through the 4-value tonal system, which will help you understand tone, simplify shapes, and strengthen your compositions.Through short tutorials and real-time plein air demonstrations, you’ll practise mixing naturalistic greens, painting believable cloud formations, and creating the illusion of depth and distance. You’ll also be guided through a full coastal painting session, with tips on what to include, what to leave out, and how to stay loose and expressive in your brushwork.This course encourages experimentation and mindful observation. By the end, you’ll be equipped with practical tools and artistic insights to confidently paint en plein air, bringing energy, clarity, and joy to your outdoor artwork—whatever the weather.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Setting Up Your Half French Easel

Lecture 2 Mastering the 4-Value Tonal System

Lecture 3 Colour Magic: Basic Colour Wheel Mixing

Lecture 4 Colour Magic: Mixing Greens

Lecture 5 Landscape Painting Preparation

Lecture 6 Plein Air Painting at Trigg Beach: Part 1

Lecture 7 Plein Air Painting at Trigg Beach: Part 2

Lecture 8 Plein Air Painting of Trigg Beach: Part 3

Lecture 9 Understanding Clouds and Skies

Lecture 10 Cumulus Cloud Painting

Lecture 11 Trying together

Beginner to intermediate painters wanting to try plein air painting,Studio painters wanting to expand their outdoor skills,Artists looking to strengthen their understanding of tone and colour,Anyone interested in painting expressive, simplified landscapes,Art teachers or workshop facilitators looking for outdoor-friendly methods