Plein Air Painting for Digital Artists

Plein air painting has been a classic artistic genre since the 19th century, and it’s extremely challenging for new and seasoned artists alike. Not only are there creative challenges like constantly shifting environments, but artists have to lug all their supplies out into the field just to capture those fleeting moments in nature. 

Fortunately, digital artists have a tremendous advantage when it comes to plein air painting. They can travel light with as little as a tablet and a stylus without leaving any of their brushes back at the studio. The only limits are your battery and imagination—as long as you have the skills and techniques to bring your artwork to life!

Looking to turn your next plein air sketch into a one-off masterpiece? Here are some of our top resources and assets to capture any landscape you’re visiting. 

Plein Air Foundations and Intro to Color

The best plein air painters seem to come home with a gallery piece after every trip. What are they doing that separates them from the pack? 

Why not find out!

The creators at Foundation Arts are giving you a firsthand look at how plein air artist Mo Kim handles light, composition, color, rapid workflow, and many other aspects of outdoor painting in their Outdoor Plein Air Onsite Color Demo. This rainy scene also gives you insights for handling reflections, puddles, flowing water, and other ephemeral qualities you’re likely to encounter when sketching outdoors. 

And for a more in-depth look at how to build your digital landscape canvas, check out Intro to Color pt. 3, Plein Air. You’ll get a detailed look at how to move from the foundations of landscape shapes to finished digital compositions. 

The Perfect Oil Brushes for Procreate

iPads have revolutionized where and how artists can practice their craft, and you’re as likely to see someone sketching in a bar as you are on a remote seascape in the Caribbean. But wherever you go, if you don’t have a great set of brushes, you’re never going to capture the moment. 

If you’re a digital artist who’s into the classic look of oils, this incredible set of brushes is the perfect companion for your outdoor adventures. This collection of 80+ brushes by Eldar Zakirov gives you an unparalleled oil painting experience in Procreate. 

You’ll be able to effortlessly capture every tone and hue without losing the feel and texture of traditional media. And the best part is, you won’t have to carry dozens of paints and brushes into the wild—and you’ll never run out of paint at the last minute!

You’ll get:

• 87 highly realistic oil brushes for Procreate

Casein Landscapes Tutorial

Casein is extremely popular for plein air painting, and this quick-drying, vibrant medium rewards bold spontaneity with striking results. 

On the flip side, casein can be inflexible and introduce difficulties if you are struggling blend your paints properly—neither of which is a problem for digital artists! But you’ll still have to learn how to replicate traditional casein techniques on your digital canvas, and this tutorial by James Gurney shows you how to build a convincing outdoor piece you can emulate from scratch. 

You’ll have the chance to watch James achieve accuracy and spontaneity in a variety of outdoor scenarios, with insights for capturing a wide range of textures and atmospheres. From blank canvas to a finished product, you’ll get a convincing process with commentary that you can translate to your digital workflow. 

Watercolor Brushes for Procreate

The improvisatory, quick-drying nature of watercolors makes them an ideal medium for plein air painting. But the bleeding and semi-transparent effects they produce introduce some serious difficulties for digital enthusiasts. 

That’s why a great set of watercolor brushes like these is indispensable for plein air artists who are battling time as well as technique. All 26 of these brushes deliver realistic watercolor effects for Procreate 5, giving your digital work an instantly authentic look and feel. 

And to ensure your watercolors never seem artificial, you’ll also get a seamless watercolor paper texture to infuse your finished piece with a traditional thumbprint. 

This pack includes:

• 26 watercolor brushes for Procreate
• 1 digital watercolor paper texture

Take Plein Air Anywhere with Cubebrush

When it comes to plein air painting, capturing a moment in time out in the field has been a Herculean task for digital artists—until today. Digital art assets and resources are making it possible for new generations of creators to travel light and capture nature’s glory without struggling to achieve basic effects. 

If you’re an aspiring atmospheric artist, Cubebrush has the tutorials, assets, and resources to help you refine your skills and achieve authentic results. Visit the Cubebrush Marketplace today to connect with today’s most talented digital artists and find the perfect assets for your next plein air painting!