plein-air
Painting in nature
Plein-air describes painting done outdoors, capturing natural light and atmosphere directly rather than working from sketches in a studio.
The term comes from French meaning "open air" and is associated with Impressionism: a plein-air landscape, plein-air painters setting up easels at the beach.
Often hyphenated when used as an adjective.
French Impressionist surname
- RenoirFrench Impressionist master
- CézanneFrench Post-Impressionist painter
- DegasFrench Impressionist's surname
- SargentAmerican expatriate portraitist
Manet · Giverny · luminosity · fleeting · spontaneous
Upright frame for paintings
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
- paletteSurface for mixing pigments
- brushesBristled implements for grooming
- sketchbookBound paper for illustrations
oils · watercolors · acrylics · pastels · gouache · charcoal · pigments · linseed
Visible natural surroundings
- vistaPleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- countrysideRural area beyond towns
valley · mountains · seascape · meadow · pastoral · atmosphere · perspective · composition
Monet
French Impressionist surname
- RenoirFrench Impressionist master
- CézanneFrench Post-Impressionist painter
- DegasFrench Impressionist's surname
Manet · Sargent · Giverny · luminosity · fleeting · spontaneous
easel
Upright frame for paintings
sketchbook · oils · watercolors · acrylics · pastels · gouache · charcoal · pigments · linseed · turpentine
scenery
Visible natural surroundings
countryside · valley · mountains · seascape · meadow · pastoral · atmosphere · perspective · composition · light
alfresco
In the open air
- sketchingMaking rough drawings
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- weatherAtmospheric state outdoors