Watercolor Around the World

ONG KIM SENG – Singapore

Painting outdoors is always unpredictable. Even if you're an experienced painter, you never know what you might encounter when you set out. Still, it’s much more engaging than working from a photograph or an image on a computer screen, where you have to imagine what is hidden in the shadows."

Ong Kim Seng is a traditional watercolor artist, whose work is driven by light, shade, and contrasting colors. His approach to plein air painting is to capture the colors and contrasts of the scene in front of him, always drawn to the play of light and shadow. Whether it's a cityscape, seascape, or garden, he finds that outdoor painting brings out the essence of nature, something that static images can't replicate.

JANSEN CHOW – Malaysia

Through plein air painting, we can experience the beautiful colors and unique compositions of nature that can't be replicated from a photo. If I have enough time on-site, I complete the work entirely outdoors. If not, I take photos, make sketches, and later finish the piece in my studio."

Jansen Chow thrives in capturing the fleeting moments of nature. In Malaysia, plein air activities are common, with numerous events and outdoor competitions. Jansen enjoys meeting other painters to share experiences and paint together. His works often reflect a harmonious balance between nature and human presence.

STANISLAW ZOLDAZ – Sweden

Plein air is popular in Sweden, but it’s also a challenging environment for painting outdoors. Our winters are long and dark, and the summer light can be overwhelming or change too quickly."

Stanislaw Zoldaz spends most of his summer painting in the Swedish archipelago and northern regions, using smaller plein air works as studies for larger paintings. He works quickly outdoors, often completing pieces in a single session. For him, nature is the ultimate teacher—its unpredictability and dynamism push him to constantly refine his skill.

AMIT KAPOOR – India

Plein air painting is very popular in India, with many events supporting watercolors. As the president of IWS India, I’ve organized multiple International Watercolor Festivals where plein air painting was central. I also travel abroad to paint and learn from various locations."

Amit Kapoor focuses on capturing the mood and atmosphere of his scenes, whether it’s the busy energy of a cityscape or the calm of a harbor. He finds the best light for painting is in the morning and enjoys the challenge of working quickly in the open air to capture the essence of the moment.

OLGA KHARCHENKO – Russia

Russian artists love to paint in nature. Plein air workshops and exhibitions are quite common, and I enjoy painting near the sea or in the mountains where there's calm and silence."

Olga Kharchenko’s approach to plein air painting is about immersion in the scene—feeling the atmosphere and translating it onto her canvas. She often begins with quick sketches or studies and then refines them into larger paintings in the studio. When the mood is right, she can complete a full piece on-site.

Conclusion

The Pleasures and Challenges of Painting Outdoors Plein air painting allows artists to engage with nature in a deeply personal way, offering unique opportunities to capture the essence of a scene in real-time. Whether battling unpredictable weather, working with fleeting light, or capturing the sounds and atmosphere of the environment, the process is an exciting challenge. These five artists remind us of the joy and satisfaction that come from painting directly from life, where every moment is a chance to create something fresh and alive.