Since the days of the impressionists, artists have enjoyed the experience of painting outdoors. It is one of the true joys of being a painter.
Not only are we at one with nature, but there is also the camaraderie when two or more paint on location.
Plein Air Down Under (PADU) is Australia’s longest running and largest outdoor painting festival and includes awards and prizes, feature artists, youth involvement, demonstrations and two exhibitions of plein air paintings.
Held annually in Mandurah and the Peel Region of Western Australia, this vibrant festival brings together over 200 artists for a week of creativity, learning, connection and outdoor painting.
PADU Experience Peel Paint Outs are held from 22 – 25 September in the wider Peel Region, incorporating rural landscapes away from the CBD. The festival weekend of 26 – 28 September is held around Mandurah and the historic town of Pinjarra and celebrates outdoor painting with exhibitions, painting demonstrations, free have-a-go activities and awards and prizes.
Plein Air Down Under presents a week of outdoor and evening paint-outs, over $13,000 in awards and prizes, workshops, youth involvement and two art exhibitions. In 2026 internationally renowned artists Greg Barnes (USA), Leon Holmes (Aus) and Andy Dolphin (Aus) will run Masterclasses, paint and demonstrate throughout the festival.
When the artists aren’t on site painting, the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre serves as the festival hub, offering artists and spectators the opportunity to watch demonstrations, enjoy the festivities and visit the Spirit of the Landscape Exhibition.
Highlights of the 2026 festival will include:
- Workshops and Masterclasses
- Painting demonstrations
- Free have-a-go art activities for all ages
- Spirit of the Landscape Art Exhibition
- Artist registration open to professional, non-professional and youth artists
- Over $13,000 in awards and prizes
- Day and evening paint-outs
- A two-hour Quick Draw painting competition
- Opportunities to exhibit, sell and buy original artwork.
Gallery
🎨 PADU 2026 Masterclasses & Workshops![]()
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Paint alongside our feature and guest artists at the Plein Air Down Under festival — Peel Region, WA · 22–29 September. Spots are limited, so book early!![]()
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FEATURE ARTISTS · Masterclasses![]()
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🖌️ Greg Barnes![]()
• Oils, Landscape Painting (studio & plein air) — Mon 21 & Tue 22 Sept · 9am–4pm![]()
• Pastels (plein air) — Thu 24 & Fri 25 Sept · 9am–4pm Thu/9am to 3pm Fri![]()
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🖌️ Leon Holmes![]()
• Oil Painting en plein air — Mon 21 & Tue 22 Sept · 9am–4pm![]()
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🖌️ Andy Dolphin![]()
• Watercolour (plein air) — Wed 23 & Thu 24 Sept · 9am–4pm![]()
• Procreate for plein air (studio) — Tue 29 Sept · 9am–4pm![]()
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GUEST ARTISTS · 1-Day Workshops![]()
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✏️ Linda MacAulay (SOLD OUT – WAITLIST AVAILABLE)![]()
• Gouache on Black Paper, The Wow Factor (plein air) — Fri 25 Sept · 9am–3pm ![]()
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✏️ Georgia Mansur Acrylic Seascapes (plein air) — Wed 23 Sept · 9am–4pm ![]()
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✏️ Leanne Pearson (SOLD OUT – WAITLIST AVAILABLE)![]()
• Oil, People in the Landscape (plein air) — Fri 25 Sept · 9am–3pm![]()
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Open to all registered PADU artists — not registered yet? Sign up and you're eligible to book.![]()
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👉 Full details & bookings: pleinairdownunder.com/workshops![]()
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Andy Dolphin Art Leon Holmes Linda MacAulay Artist Leanne Pearson Artist Georgia Mansur
Things to keep you busy whilst waiting for the PADU Festival!![]()
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One of the PADU 2026 feature artists Andy Dolphin Art and Sarah Pondevie (PADU regular) are teaming up @terrace.greenhouse for an exhibition together featuring Andy’s watercolours and Sarah's pastel paintings www.terracegreenhouse.com.au/exhibitions/sarah-pondevie.![]()
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Wet and Dry brings together two distinct yet complementary approaches to fluid and tactile media, exploring the interplay between light, landscape and atmosphere.![]()
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Terrace Greenhouse�22 - 28 June![]()
223 South Terrace![]()
South Fremantle![]()
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Both Sarah and Andy will be holding workshops during the exhibition - see their FB pages for more info Sarah Pondevie Andy Dolphin Art
🎨 Calling all acrylic artists who love the coast! ![]()
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Plein Air Down Under is delighted to be offering an exciting acrylic workshop on the PADU calendar this year.![]()
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Join international artist and instructor Georgia Mansur for a full day of painting on the stunning Mandurah/Peel coast, exploring the full potential of acrylics and seascapes — colour harmony, tonal values, composition, and that gorgeous quality of light that makes plein air painting so special.![]()
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Beginners to advanced welcome. Georgia's teaching style is patient, fun, and genuinely inspiring.![]()
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BONUS: Golden OPENS Acrylic paints will be supplied by Senior Art - no need to purchase any acrylics for this class! Experience for yourself how fantastic these acrylic paints are for plein air painting.![]()
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📅 Wednesday 23 September | 9am – 4pm![]()
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📍 San Remo Beach, near Tides Cafe![]()
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💰 $175 inc. morning tea | PADU artist registration also required![]()
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www.facebook.com/events/2826566897694629
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Did you know Spirit of the Landscape has its own Instagram page? 👀 Follow @spiritofthelandscape on instagram www.instagram.com/spiritofthelandscape/ for exclusive artist spotlights, exhibition updates, and a front-row seat to the creative process. Don't miss a thing!![]()
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Spirit of the Landscape Exhibition![]()
5 September to 11 October 2026 - Aloca Mandurah Art Gallery![]()
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre![]()
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Image: Detail from "Hinterland Glow" by Jos Coufreur Jos Coufreur Artist
If you want to look the part while plein air painting, you will love our range of branded T Shirts, Hoodies and Aprons. ![]()
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Follow the link to view the range - some have logos, some have dates, some have both - your choice. Order online and receive via post, or collect from AS Designs Port Kennedy.![]()
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www.asdesignprint.com.au/collections/plein-air-down-under![]()
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Images:![]()
left: the crew lining up for coffee ![]()
right: how we debrief at the end of the festival. ![]()
Both activities are fun! And we look the part!
Contact
Postal Address
P.O Box 788
30-32 Pinjarra Road
30-32 Pinjarra Road
Mandurah, WA
Australia, 6210
Australia, 6210
