Painting of a man doing plein air painting, by William Raphael
Learn About

Plein Air Painting

through the art of

William Raphael

Grades 4-8

Plein Air Painting through the art
of William Raphael

William Raphael (1833–1914) was one of the first Canadian artists to perfect the art of painting outdoors, an approach referred to as en plein air (French for “in the open air”). Working outdoors allowed the artist to capture atmosphere and light, and to adopt a freer and more spontaneous painting style, which presaged a broader shift towards modernism in art. Through the activities in this guide, students will explore how plein air painting and sketching can foster greater immediacy in art making and allow a more direct connection between artists and the natural world.

Learning Activities
  • Painting the Great Outdoors: The Plein Air Approach
  • Taking Art Outside: Plein Air in Action
  • Creating a Postcard Series: From Plein Air to the Studio
Related Subjects
  • Visual Arts
  • Social Studies
  • Geography

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Plein Air Painting through the art of William Raphael