Just plein artistic

By Brittany Drysdale

PICTURESQUE landscapes painted in the present, that’s what plein air painting is all about. From the French phrase meaning “in the open air”, plein air painters' step outside with their canvases and use the great outdoors as their studio.

Plein air painting involves stepping away from the confinements of the indoors and immersing oneself in the natural environment to create art. This artistic tradition has a long history, established as a refined art form by the French Impressionists. Driven by a deep fascination with capturing the elusive nature of light and its ever-changing qualities, painters gained the liberty to express themselves "en plein air”.

Painting outdoors poses challenges due to the ever-shifting atmospheric conditions and fugitive light, but that hasn’t stopped a few local artists from tackling this formidable art-form.

The Goulburn Valley Plein Air Artists are a local group specialising in plein air painting. Meeting every Monday morning, the group come together in the great outdoors to paint landscapes within the landscapes.

Starting six months ago, the group sprouted from a love of art and nature, and soon became a cheerful social gathering of people who loved to get out there and paint while sharing the experience with like-minded individuals.

“The difference between our group and most other groups is we want to get out there and paint, and that’s the emphasis, getting out there on Monday and painting things on location. Not copying them or doing them in a studio- its getting out there,” said GV Plein Air Artist Raymond Hill.

Speaking to the best part about their group, Raymond expressed that it’s the close friendships that are formed through their morning painting sessions... and Tank’s pumpkin soup!

The group consists of both experienced and novice painters