The PleinAir Salon Online Art Competition is for traditional 2d painting with a variety of categories to enter. We often get the question, “Why did that painting win? It’s not a plein air painting.”

Because this competition was created by PleinAir magazine, we do have plein air in our name. However, a lot of artists paint in various styles, mediums and subjects, and PleinAir magazine features not only plein air paintings, but also studio paintings. So we also accept studio paintings. Our goal is in rewarding great paintings, no matter how they were created.

The PleinAir Salon Online Art Competitions categories are open to studio and plein air paintings (unless specified). Check out the 19 categories you can enter. There are a variety of subject matter categories to choose from. The PleinAir Salon Online Art Competition is for traditional painting/drawing. Photography, digital paintings, sculpture, etc. are not eligible. 

Click a category below to see examples of past winners. 

Animals & Birds

Artist Over 65

Paintings by artists over the age of 65.

All subject matter and mediums are eligible. (plein air or studio)

Artist Under 40 *NEW

Paintings by artists that are 18-40 years old.

All subject matter and mediums are eligible. (plein air or studio)

building

Paintings that feature cityscapes, houses, barns, or other architectural elements.

All mediums are eligible. (plein air or studio)

Clouds & Sky

Paintings that feature sunrises, sunsets or clouds as the majority of the subject matter.

All mediums are eligible. (plein air or studio)

Drawing

Drawings in pencil, graphite, charcoal, pastel, etc.

All subject matter is eligible. (plein air or studio)

figure & portrait

Paintings that feature figures and portraits, including figures in the landscape/cityscape.

All mediums are eligible. (plein air or studio)

floral

Paintings that feature gardens, fields, flowers, etc.

All mediums are eligible. (plein air or studio)

landscape

Paintings that feature the landscape or outdoor environment, without figures or animals.

All mediums are eligible. (plein air or studio)

nocturne

Paintings that feature outdoor night scenes.

All mediums are eligible. (plein air or studio)

plein air Acrylic & Gouache

Paintings must be 100% completed en plein air using only the Acrylic or Gouache mediums.

All subject matter eligible. Plein Air Only.

plein air landscape

Paintings that feature the landscape or outdoor environment without figures to animals.

All mediums are eligible. Plein Air Only.

plein air Oil

Paintings must be 100% completed en plein air using only the Oil medium.

All subject matter eligible. Plein Air Only.

plein air Pastel

Paintings must be 100% completed en plein air using the Pastel medium.

All subject matter eligible. Plein Air Only.

plein air Watercolor

Paintings must be 100% completed en plein air using Watercolor or other transparent water media.

All subject matter eligible. Plein Air Only.

still life

Paintings that feature a still life , or scene, in an indoor or outdoor setting.

All mediums are eligible. (plein air or studio)

vehicle

Paintings that feature running or run-down vehicles.

All mediums are eligible. (plein air or studio)

Water

Paintings that feature water, seascapes, coastal, rivers, etc.

All mediums are eligible. (plein air or studio)

western

Paintings that feature western themes (landscape or figure).

All mediums are eligible. (plein air or studio)