en plein air
Painting in nature
En plein air describes painting done outdoors rather than in a studio, capturing natural light and atmosphere directly from the scene.
The French phrase means "in the open air." The Impressionists championed the practice: She set up her easel en plein air to paint the coastline.
Also used as a noun: He preferred plein air to studio work.
French Impressionist surname
- RenoirFrench Impressionist master
- CézanneFrench Post-Impressionist painter
- Barbizon SchoolRural French landscape movement
- GivernyNorman commune, artistic pilgrimage
Manet · colorism · spontaneity · atmospheric effects · Turner
Upright frame for paintings
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
- paletteSurface for mixing pigments
- brushesBristled implements for grooming
- sketchbookBound paper for illustrations
oils · watercolors · pastels · gouache · acrylics · field kit · turpentine · linseed oil
Radiance from our star
- golden hourWarm-lit period near sunset
- dappled lightSpotted sunbeams through gaps
- shadowsDark areas from blocked light
- overcastSky fully veiled
diffused light · morning light · backlighting · luminosity · chiaroscuro · tonal values · color temperature · warm light
Monet
French Impressionist surname
- RenoirFrench Impressionist master
- CézanneFrench Post-Impressionist painter
- Barbizon SchoolRural French landscape movement
Manet · Giverny · colorism · spontaneity · atmospheric effects · Turner
easel
Upright frame for paintings
sketchbook · oils · watercolors · pastels · gouache · acrylics · field kit · turpentine · linseed oil · brushwork
sunlight
Radiance from our star
- golden hourWarm-lit period near sunset
- dappled lightSpotted sunbeams through gaps
- shadowsDark areas from blocked light
overcast · diffused light · morning light · backlighting · luminosity · chiaroscuro · tonal values · color temperature · warm light · cool light
vista
Pleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- countrysideRural area beyond towns
pastoral · valley · mountains · seascape · riverbank · meadow · rolling hills · cliffside · vineyard · coastline
alfresco
In the open air
weather · elements · insects · wind · shade · umbrella · sun hat · location scouting · site selection · ambient sounds
- visual artdrawing, fine art, painting, portrait, sketch
- art termspainting, sculpture, drawing, portrait, landscape
- Art Jargoncurator, gallerist, provenance, oeuvre, vernissage
- French Impressionismimpressionism, Impressionism, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne
- Impressionismwater lilies, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Giverny, Monet
- landscape artlandscape painting, scenic views, riverscapes, waterscapes, coastal scenes