Plein Air Painting FAQ's

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Question:

What does plein air mean?

Answer:

Plein Air is French for "open air." Italians refer to this style as "alfresco."

And according to Thames and Hudson's Dictionary of Art Terms, it means, "painted out of doors."

Question:

What is the history of plein air painting?

Answer:

Some art historians attribute the 18th century painter Alexandre-Francois Desportes the honor of the first plein air painter. Plein air became popular with the Barbizon School (circa 1835-1870 with artists like Rousseau, Corot, and Millet) and the Impressionist movement (circa 1870 with artists like Monet, Renior, Pissaro, Cezanne, Degas, and Van Gogh).

Question:

Why wasn't plein air popular before the 1800s?

Answer:

In earlier times, the wealthy and the church employed most artists. They were commissioned to paint family and political portraits along scenes from history and the bible. Some artists wanted to "break that mold" and paint normal people doing day-to-day activities. With the advancement of technology, portable painting tools and easels were developed. Paints sold in tubes helped artists take their studio outside.

Question:

Impressionism and Plein Air look similar. What's the difference?

Answer:

While art critics argue if the two styles are synonymous, one important fact about plein air is that it should be either finished or mostly completed in the outdoors.

Question:

Why is plein air so important to Thomas Kinkade?

Answer:

Well, there are several reasons!

1) Thom uses his plein air paintings as studies for his romantic realism work. He also uses photographs and sketches, but it is his plein air paintings that capture the color and essence of the scene.
2) Since Thom's plein airs take anywhere from 1 - 3 hours, there is a sense of completion when he finishes it.
Note: Thom's Romantic Realism paintings can take as long as 400
work hours, with one of his paintings taking seven years to
complete.
3) Plein air allows Thom to experience his love of art and nature in one ideal setting.
4) It is a permanent reminder of "a moment in time" that Thom experienced as he painted.
5) It is a way for Thom to demonstrate and share his appreciation of other artistic styles to the general public and art lovers everywhere.
6) Last, but not least, Thom's signature line, "It's all about light." Natural light is more appealing to Thom than his studio lights. Different times during a day with various weather conditions give Thom much inspiration and color for his work.

Question:

Who are some artists known for their plein air work that Thomas Kinkade admires?

Answer:

Just to name a few, Thomas Hill, Edgar Payne, and William Merritt Chase (note: Thom and Nanette's eldest daughter is named Merritt).

All images © 2001 Thomas Kinkade, Media Arts Group, Inc, Morgan Hill, California

Plein Air Quotes

Remembering My First Plein Air Adventure
(taken from Simpler Times by Thomas Kinkade)
I started with just a few brushes and a jar of turpentine and a couple tubes of paint packed in a satchel. Today I use a portable studio I designed myself - a lightweight box that holds my paints and canvas and folds up into an easel. I can even attach a little umbrella to protect me from sun or rain.

In his own words, the significance of Plein Air painting
(taken from Simpler Times by Thomas Kinkade)
Plein-air painting gives me an excuse to get outdoors. It gives me backgrounds and ideas for my paintings. But most important, it forces me to experience nature on its own terms. When I am painting a scene, I'm not just walking through it or skating through it or skiing down it. I am sitting still for hours at a time, soaking it in, observing the details, breathing in the air, and listening to the sounds. I am becoming a part of the natural world and letting it become a part of me.