Plein Air Down Under

14/06/2026

Did you know Spirit of the Landscape has its own Instagram page? 👀 Follow on instagram https://www.instagram.com/spiritofthelandscape/ for exclusive artist spotlights, exhibition updates, and a front-row seat to the creative process. Don't miss a thing!

Spirit of the Landscape Exhibition
5 September to 11 October 2026 - Aloca Mandurah Art Gallery
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre

Image: Detail from "Hinterland Glow" by Jos Coufreur Jos Coufreur Artist

13/06/2026

If you want to look the part while plein air painting, you will love our range of branded T Shirts, Hoodies and Aprons.

Follow the link to view the range - some have logos, some have dates, some have both - your choice. Order online and receive via post, or collect from AS Designs Port Kennedy.

https://www.asdesignprint.com.au/collections/plein-air-down-under

Images:
left: the crew lining up for coffee
right: how we debrief at the end of the festival.
Both activities are fun! And we look the part!

09/06/2026

🎨 That painting that didn't quite work? Procreate can fix it.
You know the feeling. You painted outdoors, the light was beautiful, the scene was perfect but something went wrong and you're not sure what. The composition feels off. The colour isn't singing. You bring it home and it sits there, unresolved.

Here's a skill every plein air painter needs in their toolkit: using Procreate on your iPad to diagnose exactly what a painting needs before you pick up a brush again.
In this one-day masterclass with Andy Dolphin, you'll discover how a few minutes in Procreate can transform how you see and fix your paintings:

✅ Identify colour and tone problems instantly
✅ Test compositional changes and cropping without touching the original
✅ Use layers to experiment freely — nothing is permanent
✅ Walk away with a clear plan to repaint with confidence

Already have Procreate but given up on it? This is the class that will make it one of the most useful tools in your practice. Andy will unlock the power sitting right there on your iPad - and show you exactly how it serves your traditional painting, not replaces it.

Masterclass: Procreate for Plein Air Painters with Andy Dolphin
📅 Tuesday 29 September 2026, 9am–4pm
📍 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
See more details and bookings here https://pleinairdownunder.com/workshops/

Workshops

08/06/2026

Only three days to go until the opening of the Watercolour Society of WA Inc opening event of the 4th International Watercolour Exhibition. The opening event is open to all from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday 11 June and should be a fabulous evening. If you can't make that, the exhibition continues until 23rd June 2026 (9.30am to 4.30pm daily). There will be plenty of inspiration here for PADU water colourists!

06/06/2026

Someone has to do it!

Testing out a Mandurah beach location for Georgia Mansur's Acrylic Seascapes Workshop on 23 September.

✔️ Great views
✔️ Shelter
✔️ Cafe on site
✔️ Rolling surf & rocks
✔️ Headland with distant buildings

What do you think?

02/06/2026

For artists who love painting the ocean but feel paralysed by its constantly moving chaos, crashing waves, and infinite details – PADU Guest Artist Georgia Mansur will show you, step by step, how to capture its essence without chasing every ripple!

Transform chaotic scenes into harmonious art with Georgia’s proven "3-Value Simplification" method for stunning results.

Check out this short video for a sneak peak of what you can expect in Georgia’s Workshop, Acrylic Seascapes en plein air.

Wednesday 23 September, 9am to 4pm: BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN
Acrylic Seascapes en plein air
Location: A Mandurah beach, to be confirmed

Full class details here: https://pleinairdownunder.com/2026featureartistgeorgiamansur/

Georgia Mansur

Transform chaotic scenes into harmonious art with International Awa...

29/05/2026

One of the (many) benefits of attending Plein Air Down Under with an ACCESS ALL AREAS PASS is the eligibility to attend our Masterclasses and/or Workshops.

We take skill development seriously and these classes are reserved exclusively for our registered artists as a way of enhancing the overall festival experience.

Check out the full list of classes here:
https://pleinairdownunder.com/workshops/

26/05/2026

🎨 EARLY BIRD ARTIST REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN! 🎨

Register now for Plein Air Down Under and SAVE $25 with our Early Bird offer!

Your ACCESS ALL AREAS PASS gives you the total festival experience packed with painting opportunities, professional development, exhibitions, competitions, great food and wonderful artist connections.

✅ Paint at all Experience Peel locations | 22–25 September
✅ Paint throughout the festival footprint | 26–28 September
✅ Entry into the Quick Draw Two Hour Painting Competition
✅ Meet & Greet event at the Leon Holmes Gallery gardens
✅ Complimentary Saturday night dinner presented by Ray White Mandurah
✅ Complimentary Saturday morning coffee presented by Ray White Mandurah
✅ Feature Artist Greg Barnes (USA) Professional Development Presentation at Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
✅ Eligibility for workshops & masterclasses
✅ Eligibility to exhibit four artworks at Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
✅ Eligibility for over $13,000 in prizes & awards
✅ Complimentary light lunch on Monday 28 September

Whether you’re a seasoned plein air painter or joining us for the first time, PADU is one of Australia’s most exciting outdoor painting festivals.

Secure your place today and join artists from across Australia and beyond for an unforgettable creative experience in Mandurah, the historic town of Pinjarra and the wider Peel Region.

Full details: https://pleinairdownunder.com/

Ray White - Mandurah
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
Leon Holmes
City of Mandurah
Shire of Murray

25/05/2026

Congratulations to Andy Dolphin Art on being one of the winners in yesterday's Watercolour Society of WA Inc Quick Draw in Fremantle.
It was fun and well attended; thanks to the Society for organising a great event - the standard of work was very high indeed!

There are still two places left in this class:
WATERCOLOUR - Two day Masterclass #1 with Andy Dolphin
Better get in quick!