Thinking About PleinAirpril? Here Are a Few Ideas to Make It Easier

Simple ideas to help you show up, stay consistent, and enjoy the process.

I started a plein air painting group back in August of 2024. I couldn’t find one in my area, and it was something I really wanted, so I decided to start my own.¹ It took a little while to get going, but lately the group has really started to feel alive. More people show up each week, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch it grow.

Recently I was looking ahead at some of my painting goals and thinking about how I might challenge myself in April. I did a quick Google search for upcoming art challenges and was reminded of something called PleinAirpril. It started back in 2017 and encourages artists to create and share one plein air painting every day during the month of April. Over the years it has grown into quite a big event with thousands of artists participating and sharing their work.

So I decided to take part in PleinAirpril and invited my plein air group to join in as well. Challenges like this are always a little easier when you have a support system. The response was wonderful, and it looks like a group of us are committing to give it a try.

Of course, a challenge like this can feel a little intimidating at first. Painting every day for an entire month can quickly start to feel overwhelming. As I’ve been thinking through my own plan for April, I started making a list of ideas and small strategies that might make the process feel more manageable.

While you absolutely could create a large, multi-hour oil painting every day if you wanted to, that’s not really the point. It could be something as simple as a quick 10 minute sketch outside in your own backyard. The goal is to challenge yourself, but also make it achievable within your real, everyday life.

So with that in mind, here are a few ideas that might help make PleinAirpril a little easier and a lot more enjoyable.

Limit your supplies

Sometimes the biggest hurdle is simply getting started. One way to make it easier is to limit your supplies for the month. That could mean something as simple as a pencil and sketchbook, a limited color palette, a small pochade box, or even committing to just one brush. You might also choose one panel or paper size and stick with it. When you simplify your setup, it removes a lot of decision making and makes it much easier to just grab your things and go.

Set a time limit

Another way to keep the challenge manageable is to set a time limit. Maybe you paint for 10 minutes. Maybe it’s 30. Whatever fits into your schedule. When you know you only need to show up for a short window, it can feel much less intimidating. Sometimes those quick sessions even turn into some of your favorite pieces.

Use your own backyard or neighborhood

There can be pressure to find the most beautiful or interesting spots in town, but getting to those places every day just isn’t realistic for most of us. Instead, let your own backyard or neighborhood become your subject. The same tree, the view down your street, the laundry on the clothesline. When you paint familiar places repeatedly, you start noticing new things every time.

Pick a particular subject

Deciding what to paint can sometimes be the biggest roadblock. If that sounds familiar, try giving yourself a theme for the month. Maybe you paint clouds every day. Maybe evenings work best for you so you focus on nocturnes. Or you could switch it up each week. Week one could be anything green. Week two might be architecture. Having a loose plan ahead of time can take away that daily “what should I paint?” moment.

Have your supplies ready to go

For me, even gathering my materials can sometimes become a barrier. It helps to keep everything together in one place so it’s ready when inspiration strikes. You might even set out what you need the night before. When your supplies are already waiting for you, it becomes much easier to step outside and begin.

Work on mini paintings

Keep it small. If you know you don’t have a lot of time in your day, plan for quick mini paintings or simple sketches. A tiny study in your sketchbook absolutely counts. In fact, these small pieces can be some of the most freeing because the pressure is off. The goal is simply to show up.

Choose a regular time of day

Another helpful strategy is to build it into your routine. Maybe you wake up a little earlier and paint in the morning light. Maybe you take a sketchbook outside during your lunch break. Or perhaps evenings are your time to sit outside and paint what you see. Finding a consistent time of day can make showing up feel more natural.

Team up with friends

Having a little encouragement and accountability can go a long way. That’s one of the reasons I thought it would be fun to involve my plein air group in PleinAirpril. It’s always nice to have someone to share your work with, cheer you on, and celebrate the small wins together.

Repeat the same view

Instead of searching for something new every day, try painting the same view multiple times. Maybe it’s the tree outside your window, the corner of your yard, or the buildings down your street. Watching how the light, weather, and seasons change can be incredibly interesting, and it removes the pressure of finding a new subject.

Work in stages

If daily painting feels overwhelming, break a painting into stages. One day might be a quick value sketch. The next day you block in color. The following day you refine it a bit. Each step counts toward the challenge and makes the process feel more manageable.

Now, I know that was a lot. You certainly don’t have to do all of these things, or any fo these things for that matter. However I wanted to share as many ideas as I could with the hopes that one will resonate with you and help to set you up for success. Or maybe just think this way might help you come up with your own idea.

One final note. This is a challenge. It’s designed to push you outside of what you would normaly do to get outside and do art every day. With that being said, this challenge and art in general should be a fun and enjoyable process. If you are not feeling well, if the day was just too busy, don’t beat yourself up about it. If you miss a day, don’t let that derail the whole challenge. Just make a plan on how you can show up again the next day. The goal is progress, not perfection.

If you’re planning to participate in PleinAirpril, I’d love to hear your plan. Are you going small? Limiting your supplies? Painting the same view each day? Or maybe you have an idea I didn’t mention above. I’d love to hear about it. Share in the comments.

1. If you happen to live in Pittsburgh, PA and want to join our plein air group, shoot me a message and I’d be happy to share more details.