Plein Air Painting through the art of William Raphael 

William Raphael (1833–1914) was one of the first Canadian artists to perfect the art of painting outdoors, an approach referred to as en plein air (French for “in the open air”). Working outdoors allowed the artist to capture atmosphere and light, and to adopt a freer and more spontaneous painting style, which presaged a broader shift towards modernism in art. Through the activities in this guide, students will explore how plein air painting and sketching can foster greater immediacy in art making and allow a more direct connection between artists and the natural world.