Plein air season is officially here, and what was meant to be a time for taking those easels, canvases, sketchbooks, paints, and brushes outside is, instead, a time spent indoors. Countries across the world have closed their borders and almost every major tourist destination is without tourists!
Being stuck indoors doesn't mean you can't still find the best places to paint. Yes, you may not be able to actually be there, but thanks to technology, you can now travel locally or abroad all while in the comfort of your own home.
So, get your sketchbook, paints, and brushes ready because we're going to take you on a virtual plein air trip!
PLUS: There's a special surprise for you at the end of this trip!
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Photo by Tomáš Nožina / Unsplash
Towering heights and crashing waves, ageless legends, and endless flurrying birds: the Cliffs of Moher are a natural masterpiece that are made to be painted!
Sanssouci, Germany
Photo by LoboStudio Hamburg / Unsplash
The name of the palace comes from a French phrase (sans souci), which translates to "without concerns" meaning "without worries" or "carefree". This name symbolizes that the palace was a place for relaxation rather than a seat of power. Why not sit back, relax and put paint to paper.
Yosemite National Park, USA
Photo by Mathieu Olivares / Unsplash
Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, towering granite monoliths, deep valleys, and ancient giant sequoias. Channel your inner Bob Ross and get to work on those lovely clouds.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Photo by James Wheeler / Unsplash
Though just one of hundreds of surviving temples and structures, the massive Angkor Wat is the most famed of all of Cambodia’s temples—it appears on the nation’s flag—and it is revered for good reason. The 12th-century “temple-mountain” was built as a spiritual home for the Hindu god Vishnu.
Jefferson Memorial in bloom, USA
Photo by Ridwan Meah / Unsplash
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, D.C., commemorating the March 27, 1912, gift of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City to the city of Washington, D.C. We couldn't resist setting up to capture this this amazing view.
Want to paint along with us? Check out this FREE Demo on how to paint cherry blossoms in watercolour!
Machu Picchu, Peru
Photo by Nad Hemnani / Unsplash
Built in the 15th century, Machu Picchu is tangible evidence of the urban Inca Empire at the peak of its power and achievement—a citadel of cut stone fit together without mortar so tightly that its cracks still can't be penetrated by a knife blade.
The Blue Mosque, Turkey
Photo by Adli Wahid / Unsplash
Also known as the Sultan Ahmet Camii (or Sultan Ahmed Mosque), this breath-taking building is one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in all of Turkey. It is dubbed the Blue Mosque because of the over 20,000 handmade ceramic Iznik tiles that decorate the interior.
Santorini, Greece
Photo by Vesela Vaclavikova / Unsplash
Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades group of the Greek islands -- most famous for dramatic views, stunning sunsets from Oia town, the strange white aubergine (eggplant), the town of Thira, and its very own active volcano.
Pont Alexandre III, France
Photo by Léonard Cotte / Unsplash
The bridge is lavishly decorated with lampposts and sculptures of cherubs and nymphs. On each end of the Pont Alexandre III are large gilded statues on 17 meters (56 ft) high granite pillars. Each of the ornaments was created by a different artist.
Which location did you like the most?
If you're here, then you've reached the end of this virtual tour. Have you visited any of these places before? Did you take your art supplies? Let us know in the comments below! At the beginning of this, I mentioned a special surprise for you. If you're wondering what that is...
It's another ART COMPETITION + GIVEAWAY!
DISCLAIMER: This art competition has ended. Follow us on Instagram at @etchr_lab to stay up to date with our upcoming promotions and competitions!
Just because you're indoors, doesn't mean you have to miss one of the most magical times of the year -- plein air season! For this art challenge, all you have to do is paint the view from right outside your house (window, front yard, backyard, as long as it's within the premises of your home) and post it on Instagram.
Here’s how to enter this art challenge:
• Follow us on Instagram at @etchr_lab
• Post a photo of your painting and reference on Instagram
• Tag us and include the hashtag #etchrartchallenge in your caption
Enter as many times as you like over the course of the challenge! Maybe you could do one during the day and one in the evening for example? This challenge is open to everyone from today (April 30, 2020) to May 7. This Plein Air Challenge prize is a A4 or A5 Perfect Sketchbook - your choice!
Good luck! 💛
With love,
Mar and the Etchr team