We often get the question, “Why did that painting win? It’s not a plein air painting.”

Well, 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. PleinAir magazine features not only plein air paintings, but also studio paintings. So we accept all types of paintings and they do not need to be done in plein air … unless you’re entering a plein air category, of course! Our goal is in rewarding great paintings, no matter how they were created.

With that said, check out the 19 categories you can enter. There are plein air-specific categories as well as a variety of other subject matter categories to choose from. The PleinAir Salon Art Competition is geared toward those that paint in the traditional style. 

Animals & Birds

Artist Over 65

Paintings by artists over the age of 65.

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

beginner

Paintings by artists that have been painting 5 years or less.

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)

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

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

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 & Gouache

Paintings must be 100% completed en plein air using the watercolor or gouache mediums.

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)