Raleigh Outdoor Painting Group

4.8•110 ratings

About us

Come join us for a relaxed day of painting in the fresh air! We'll be gathering outdoors to enjoy nature and create art together. We meet on the first and third Saturdays each month from March to October. Our next meetup with be Saturday March 7, 2026 at the NC Museum of Art, in Raleigh.

🖌️ Please bring your own art supplies — whatever you love to use!
👩‍🎨 No formal instruction will be provided, just an open space to create, share, and connect with fellow artists at your own pace.

Whether you're experienced or just starting out, everyone's welcome. Let's enjoy some creative time under the sky!

Drawing or painting in public can be very intimidating, especially for the introverted. My goal is to form a friendly social group for people who like to paint outdoors and who might find interest and motivation in a friendly, mutually supportive group setting.

Bring your own art supplies and equipment: coffee, snacks, whatever makes you happy and stay for an hour or three. Don't forget to take out what you bring in. Raleigh has so many beautiful parks and greenways and open spaces, I can't wait to get started.

I have always wanted to paint en plein air, but I never got around to actually doing it. I thought it might be fun and motivating to be a part of a group. My experience is primarily in still life oil painting, so I am learning to paint en plein air the hard way: direct experience.

If you would like more information see our Facebook group:
Raleigh Outdoor Painting Group. I posted a PDF about art supplies I recommend there that beginners might find helpful.

I hope you will join us!

Upcoming events

See all

Welcome Center at NCMA Park
Sat, Mar 7 · 8:00 AM EST
North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC, US
About the Park
NCMA Park Map
Our first Meetup of 2026! Join the Raleigh Outdoor Painting Group for a day of plein air painting at the picturesque North Carolina Museum of Art Park.

We will meet at the Welcome Center 8am to 12pm
The Welcome Center is located adjacent to the upper Museum parking lots along Blue Ridge Road, near the smokestack. Restrooms, water fountains, food are available. Restrooms are open daily dawn to dusk; Current hours are Saturday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. For more information about the park and a map click on the links above.

If you are new to painting outdoors and want to know what to bring see my list of suggestions below:
camp chair, water, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, snacks/drinks
Watercolors are the easiest to start with and have great portability. I recommend pan watercolors, a water brush and a multimedia sketchbook. Also, a rag or paper towels. A music stand makes for a very inexpensive and portable easel.

Tips
- Wear comfortable clothing for the weather and supportive shoes for walking on uneven terrain.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray.
- Bring water and any other beverages or snacks you may want.
- If you don't have an easel or don't prefer standing, bring a folding chair/stool or picnic blanket.
- Make sure you're able to carry your supplies for short to medium distances, depending on your preferred painting location.
- Be aware of your surroundings and the weather. Watch out for uneven terrain and signs of heat exhaustion. Hike at your own risk. Stay hydrated.
- Leave the area as you found it or better. Bring any trash out with you.
We have a Facebook group too: Raleigh Outdoor Painting Group.
Please feel free to join us there.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Jaylene
20 attendees
Pullen Park
Sat, Mar 21 · 8:00 AM EDT
Pullen Park, 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC, US
Details
Saturday March 21, 2026 8 am to 12 pm
Pullen Park, Raleigh NC
Pullen Park Website
Pullen Park Map
Let's gather on the far side of the pond, opposite the paddle boat dock. It will be less crowed on that side. There are benches and concrete steps, but feel free to bring your own stool or chair for comfort. I am not sure where I will be exactly, but you should be able to spot my pink hat.

If there is a big event at NC State, parking maybe restricted. Overflow parking is available at the School for the Blind just up the road from the park entrance.

If you are new to painting outdoors and want to know what to bring see my list of suggestions below:
camp chair, water, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, snacks/drinks
Watercolors are the easiest to start with and have great portability. I recommend pan watercolors, a water brush and a multimedia sketchbook. Also, a rag or paper towels. A music stand makes for a very inexpensive and portable easel.

Tips
- Wear comfortable clothing for the weather and supportive shoes for walking on uneven terrain.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray.
- Bring water and any other beverages or snacks you may want.
- If you don't have an easel or don't prefer standing, bring a folding chair/stool or picnic blanket.
- Make sure you're able to carry your supplies for short to medium distances, depending on your preferred painting location.
- Be aware of your surroundings and the weather. Watch out for uneven terrain and signs of heat exhaustion. Hike at your own risk. Stay hydrated.
- Leave the area as you found it or better. Bring any trash out with you.
We have a Facebook group too: Raleigh Outdoor Painting Group.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Jaylene
5 attendees
Mordecai Historic Park
Sat, Apr 4 · 9:00 AM EDT
Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa Street, Raleigh, NC, US
Mordecai Historic Park
Mordecai Historic Park
1 Mimosa St
Raleigh, NC 27604

The Visitor Center is located on the corner of Wake Forest Rd. and Cedar St. at 1101 Wake Forest Rd. Parking is available at 1 Mimosa St. as well as street parking along Cedar St.
You can buy a ticket for a guided tour or trolly ride .
Maps are available at the Visitor Center, as well as restrooms. We will be outside but this is a historic place so please be mindful of any posted signs.

If you are new to painting outdoors and want to know what to bring see my list of suggestions below:
camp chair, water, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, snacks/drinks
Watercolors are the easiest to start with and have great portability. I recommend pan watercolors, a water brush and a multimedia sketchbook. Also, a rag or paper towels. A music stand makes for a very inexpensive and portable easel.

Tips
- Wear comfortable clothing for the weather and supportive shoes for walking on uneven terrain.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray.
- Bring water and any other beverages or snacks you may want.
- If you don't have an easel or don't prefer standing, bring a folding chair/stool or picnic blanket.
- Make sure you're able to carry your supplies for short to medium distances, depending on your preferred painting location.
- Be aware of your surroundings and the weather. Watch out for uneven terrain and signs of heat exhaustion. Hike at your own risk. Stay hydrated.
- Leave the area as you found it or better. Bring any trash out with you.
We have a Facebook group too: Raleigh Outdoor Painting Group.
Please feel free to join us there.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Jaylene
8 attendees
Beech Bluff County Park
Sat, Apr 18 · 9:00 AM EDT
Beech Bluff Country Park, 3321 NC Highway 42, Willow Spring, NC, US
Saturday April 18, 2026 9am
Beech Bluff County Park
3321 NC Highway 42
Willow Spring, NC 27592
Beech Bluff County Park Info
Map of Beech Bluff County Park
Let's meet at the Harvest Hub, near the gardens at the park entrance. If that is not inspiring enough, we can walk out to the Bluff Overlook. It's a half mile hike one way. I believe this trail is ADA accessible. Please see map and park info links above or call the park for more information.

If you are new to painting outdoors and want to know what to bring see my list of suggestions below:
camp chair, water, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, snacks/drinks
Watercolors are the easiest to start with and have great portability. I recommend pan watercolors, a water brush and a multimedia sketchbook. Also, a rag or paper towels. A music stand makes for a very inexpensive and portable easel.
Tips
Wear comfortable clothing for the weather and supportive shoes for walking on uneven terrain.
Bring a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Bring water and any other beverages or snacks you may want.
If you don't have an easel or don't prefer standing, bring a folding chair/stool or picnic blanket.
Make sure you're able to carry your supplies for short to medium distances, depending on your preferred painting location.
Be aware of your surroundings and the weather. Watch out for uneven terrain and signs of heat exhaustion. Hike at your own risk. Stay hydrated.
Leave the area as you found it or better. Bring any trash out with you.
We have a Facebook group too: Raleigh Outdoor Painting Group.
Please feel free to join us there.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Jaylene
3 attendees