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
5
Observation Tower Lake Crabtree County Park
Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Parkway, Cary, NC, USObservation Tower
Lake Crabtree County Park Saturday May 23, 2026 at 9 AM to 12 PM
Let’s meet near the observation tower. Use the boat rental parking lot. If you walk a bit farther down the beach, there’s also a great open field with views of the trees and shoreline—another nice spot to set up.
For parking, you can either use the boat rental access (closest to the tower) or the beach access parking lot as an alternative. We will have a view of some architecture elements, water, small boats and people. What is not to like? Bring the family too, the more the merrier!Look for the Boat Rental location on the map, see link below. I want everyone to have a good time. See links below for more information.
Lake Crabtree County Park Info
As always, all art media is welcome, but please remember to take out what you bring in. We want to be good custodians of our natural spaces. If you have any specific questions about what to bring, please fill free to send me a direct message.
Pack up your easel, brushes, and paints or other art supplies. In addition, you will want to bring something to sit on as the ground might be wet. Hats, sunscreen, bug spray, wet wipes etc. might come in handy as well. In my experience people feel nice and warm while they are walking around but get cold as they sit arting, so plan accordingly.
If you don't have a field easel or pochard box/tripod and want to keep your hands free I suggest a sheet music stand. They are very light weight and inexpensive and collapse down to a small size. They are not as stable of course but you won't have to hold your paper or sketchbook the entire time.
I will update event info if there are any major changes to the weather.
Happy Arting,
Jaylene
6 attendees
Walnut Creek Wetland Park
Walnut Creek Wetlands, 950 Peterson Street, Raleigh, NC, USSaturday June 20, 2026 9 am to 12 pm
Walnut Creek Wetland Park
950 Peterson Street
Raleigh, NC 27610
Park Info
Park MapIf 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,
Jaylene3 attendees
Blackwood Farm Park
Blackwood Farm Park, 4215 NC 86 South, HILLSBOROUGH, NC, USSaturday July 11, 2026 9 am to 12 pm
Blackwood Farm Park
4215 NC 86 S
Chapel Hill , NC 27516
Blackwood Farm ParkThis will be our group's first time at this location. I suggest we meet somewhere near the pond and farm buildings. See image of park map. I will update with more information of the morning of the event. It will no doubt be very hot so bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
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,
Jaylene2 attendees
Past events
66
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