Plein Air Painting Archives

Photos of Plein Air Painting at Waahi Taarakao Reserve

Unlike the weather forecast predicted the morning turned out to be beautiful and we had a gorgeous time at the Waahi Taarako Reserve. Some of us enjoyed painting the Gibbs Bridge and others focused on the swimming hole. A lovely lady travelling through New Zealand joined our group unexpectedly. She had parked up in her camper van and wanted to do some yoga in the park when she spotted us artists. Back she went to her van, grabbed her sketchbook…

Photos of Plein Air Painting at Riwaka Inlet

It was a beautiful day when we went to the Riwaka Inlet for Plein Air Painting. The weather was slightly overcast with no wind. This meant no sunny glare on your canvas or palette but still comfortably warm. The sun came out around lunchtime, but by then we were mostly finished with our paintings. This time I went larger than usual (11"x14") and wasn't so sure if I would manage a painting within my two hour time limit. Not only…

Plein Air Painting, 6th April 2022, Waahi Taakaro Reserve (Location Change!)

Meet us for plein air painting on Wednesday 6th April 2022, 10am, at Waahi Taarkaro Reserve, Maitai (not Hanby Park!). The Reserve offers trees and the Maitai River. There is a swimming hole (for those who are keen), a playground (just in case you want to get back on a swing) and toilets. Access is up Maitai Valley Road, past Branford Park on your left, over Jickell's Bridge then Gibbs Bridge, and straight after that on your right is Waahi Taakaro. Barely…

Plein Air Painting, 30th March 2022, Wharf Road, Riwaka

Let’s try it again, since last week was rained out. Meet us for plein air painting on Wednesday 30th March 2022, 10am, at Wharf Road in Riwaka. The tide will be going out (high tide around 9:40am, low tide around 4pm) and we will be able to paint water and boats with the Richmond hills in the background. After the painting session we can meet at Ginger Dynamite for a coffee. I can’t confirm that it’s open so we will just…

Photos of Plein Air Painting at McKee Reserve, Mapua

These are photos of a plein air painting session at the McKee Memorial Reserve. We are a small group of plein air artists in the Nelson Tasman area meeting regularly on a Wednesday morning. Contact Nicole if you would like to join. It's free and a lot of fun!

Photos of Plein Air Painting at George Quay, Motueka – Zorn Palette

The day at George Quay couldn't have been better for plein air painting. No wind and mild temperatures made a perfect day for painting outside. Lately I have been playing with the Zorn palette. Anders Zorn's palette became very famous and consists of titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red and ivory black, which is a very limited selection. As you can imagine, the colours are not capable to represent the true colours of a landscape. The green mixed with ivory…

Plein Air Painting, 2nd March 2022, Kina Peninsula, Tasman

Meet us for plein air painting on Wednesday, 2nd March, 10am, at Baigents Recreational Reserve, Kina Peninsula, Tasman. Directions: Get off the Coastal Highway at Aporo Rd; by the Tasman store turn into Kina Beach Road, then turn left into Kina Peninsula Rd., continue along the beach until to come to Baigent Reserve where we will meet by the BBQ area. Please bring your painting supplies, a chair, bug spray, sun screen, morning tea/lunch, sturdy footwear, and good weather…

Plein Air Painting, 23rd February 2022, The Nelson Lighthouse

Meet us for plein air painting on Wednesday, 23rd February, at The Ferry, 272 Wakefield Quay, Nelson, seaside of Styx Restaurant. The ferry will will leave at 9:30am (!) to take us to the Nelson Lighthouse where we can paint until 12pm (pick up time). The captain has the key to the lighthouse and we will have the opportunity to go inside and enjoy the view. The ferry ride is $30 per person return trip and payable directly to the captain (bring cash!). Booking is essential to take part…

Plein Air Painting, 9th February 2022, Melrose Cafe, Nelson

Meet us for plein air painting on Wednesday, 9th February, 10am, at Melrose Cafe, 26 Brougham Street, Nelson 7010. The cafe is aware that we are coming and looking forward to meeting us. Melrose house is a grand historic home and has a native forest and rose garden. The venue is a boutique cafe which offers high tea, etc. and might be an experience in itself if the weather is ushering us inside. Check out the website https://www.melrosecafe.co.nz/cafe. Please bring your painting supplies, a…

Plein Air Painting, 2nd February 2022, Grossi Point, Mapua

It’s time to start up plein air painting again. The weather is gorgeous and our next location might even inspire you to go for a swim. Meet us for plein air painting on 2nd February, 10am, at Grossi Point, Mapua. Drive towards the Mapua Wharf and turn right at Tahi Road (last right turn before you arrive at the wharf). Grossi Point is at the end of the road by the boat ramp. We will be able to see the Richmond…