En Plein Air Summer Exhibition

The act of artists working outdoors to produce sketches and drawings to accompany their larger works has been an established tradition for many years. The scientific approach from John Constable reveals countless sketches of skies and lands observed closely with paintings depicting the ever-changing light, mood and weather.

What was an ideal for artists like Turner and Constable soon became a reality for the impressionists. The complete transition to en plein air originally also depended on the developments of paints and materials becoming more transportable, with the invention of the box easel allowing artists to travel easily with all the equipment they needed.

The traditions of the genre ‘en plein air’  are certainly alive and very popular amongst our Sussex and Kent artists. Rye itself with a nearby stunning coastline is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, fabulous sea and great big skies providing artists with just what they need - that essential…