Adventures In Plein Air Painting

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas everyone!

21/12/2025

With a fresh year on the horizon, what creative goals are you considering to reach in 2026?

04/12/2025

Here's a 16x20 plein air painting I did this summer. After getting it home and letting it set for a while, I started noticing a few minor compositional improvements needed. But should I? Curious to know what you think.

28/11/2025

The vibrant fall colors seem to have reached their peak. As temperatures decline, I will be shifting my focus to indoor painting. Does the cold weather hinder your ability to engage in outdoor activities?

20/11/2025

I am still struggling with small paintings. My plein air work is generally 16x20. This piece is on an 8x10 panel.

20/11/2025

Have you ever painted in the rain? I set up a tarp over myself and got to work. I love challenging myself, so I'm going to try this again.

11/07/2024

Upon further reflection, I determined that a few strategic adjustments were necessary. Can you tell the difference?

10/07/2024

Could not resist posting this :)

10/07/2024

I find it challenging to create small paintings, but I'm committed to honing my skills in this area. Today, I feel I've made some headway. Is anyone else struggling with small paintings?

11/06/2024

I used to buy whatever brushes the art stores near me sold. But now I have resolved to only buy Rosemary & Co Artists Brushes directly from them. Their brushes are professional quality and affordable. In fact, I'm currently putting together a list of brushes I need to buy. So what is better than a chance to receive a free set?

🎨NEW DAVID CURTIS OIL BRUSH SET🎨

“I like the little Ivory Long Flat for the more finite areas in a painting. I use the Ivory Short Flats for anything on a finer canvas or board, you need these! I don’t have a specific use for each size, they are a work horse to use across the entire range. For any gesso primer and texture work, the Ivory Short Flats are fabulous. The two little Ivory riggers are used for sweeping, long thin lines. For example rigging on ships or telegraph posts, thin masts on boats. Anything that needs a thin sweeping line - they are wonderful. There’s a little bit more body to the size 2. For the body of my paintings I use the sizes 1, 2, 3’s and then as I get to the big broader areas, I move to the sizes 5, 7 8 and above. It’s not an exact science, I work my way through all the ranges.

The use of Rosemary brushes for both oils and watercolours for me allows a surety of expression and delight in paint application in both plein air and that more considered work in the studio setting.” David Curtis, 2024

https://www.rosemaryandco.com/david-curtis-oil

Follow David: 👨🏻‍🎨

11/06/2024

I never buy filbert brushes, and this is the reason why. Eventually, all my flats become filberts with use over time. Anyone else do the same?

26/04/2024

Spring has finally come and some of you are just now dusting off your plein air equipment. So how do you make sure you're ready for your next adventure in plein air? I start with a little trial run in the backyard. If I realize I don't have enough odorless mineral spirits or need more titanium white, I don't have far to go. What do you do to make sure you're ready?