Plein air is a technique for painting outdoors from nature. En plein air is a French term for "in open air". The challenge with this type of painting is having to deal with the elements of nature, primarily changing light. While I have dozens of finished plein air pieces available, many serve the purpose of field sketches that are used to develop full studio works at a later date. Several of the images you see are taken in stages, on location, as the painting developed. Alla prima, an Italian term, refers to the technique of wet-on-wet or first attempt primarily with oil paints. I work mostly in oils with some pastels being done plein air. Most of my plein air pieces are usually created within 2-3 hours in one session, also known as Direct Painting. Cloudy days offer the artist a chance to "dabble" more as the light is more forgiving.