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    Please bear with us as we transition our content from 2025 to 2026
    Something new, unique and uplifting is capturing the community’s imagination.
    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.
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    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.

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    Plein Air Down Under

    3 days ago

    Plein Air Down Under
    At the footsteps of the Darling Escarpment, Redgum Wine Estate is the perfect destination.Nestled amongst the Marrinup State Forrest, Redgum Wine Estate provides a delightful day trip to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With uninterrupted views stretching all the way to the Dawesville Estuary, there’s a lot to paint!The picturesque scenery and intimate setting of the estate also provide the perfect backdrop for our Experience Peel Paint Out #3 on Thursday 24 September. All artists registered with an ACCESS ALL AREAS PASS are welcome to paint throughout the grounds and if you are booked in for a Masterclass that day, what a magical location for learning.The estate is closed on Thursdays, but owners Maree & Ben are looking forward to welcoming artists for an exclusive day of painting, learning and camaraderie.To read more about this elegant estate, visit: redgumwineestate.com.au/Below are the two Masterclasses to be held at Redgum Wine Estate:WATERCOLOUR - Two day Masterclass #1 with Andy DolphinPASTELS - IMPRESSIONIST STYLE - Two day Masterclass #2 with Greg Barnes ... See MoreSee Less

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    Plein Air Down Under

    1 week ago

    Plein Air Down Under
    🎨 EXCITING MASTERCLASS PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT! 🎨We're excited to announce that Michael Harding Paints is proudly partnering with the LEON HOLMES' Two Day Oil Painting Masterclass at Plein Air Down Under 2026. 🎯 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?Leon Holmes is a Michael Harding Oil Paint Ambassador, and in celebration of this, MH Paints are providing samples of Leon's colour palette for participants to work with during this Masterclass. As well as save money on the Material List, it gives participants the opportunity to work with premium quality paints. If you love them as much as we do, they will be available to purchase at the festival.🗓 WORKSHOP DETAILS:Monday 21 & Tuesday 22 September 20269:00am - 4:00pm dailyMandurah & Peel Region, Western Australia📚 WHAT YOU'LL MASTER:Renowned artist Leon Holmes will share his knowledge of oil painting en plein air with emphasis on:• Understanding what you're seeing and why artists use unexpected colours• Tips and tricks for manipulating paint to create luscious, rich, clean colour• Avoiding muddy results and achieving brilliant colour mixing• This Masterclass is the ultimate warm-up bootcamp to prepare you for the PADU painting weekPerfect for students struggling with muddy colours or those looking to understand more about colour and light. Also ideal for experienced painters feeling their work needs a new direction - Leon always has fresh discoveries to share!This is hassle-free learning with world-class instruction and premium materials, all included.Ready to paint without the prep stress?Register now: pleinairdownunder.com/workshops/Limited spaces - book today!Please note: Masterclasses & Workshops are reserved exclusively for artists registered to paint and attend the Plein Air Down Under Outdoor Painting Festival. OIL PAINTING EN PLEIN AIR - Two day Masterclass with Leon HolmesMichael HaOIL PAINTING EN PLEIN AIR - Two day Masterclass with Leon Holmes#MichaelHardingPaints #LeonHolmes #OilPaintingMasterclass #pleinairdownunder2026 ... See MoreSee Less

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    Plein Air Down Under

    2 weeks ago

    Plein Air Down Under
    🎨 EXCITING MASTERCLASS PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT! 🎨We're excited to announce that Michael Harding Paints is proudly partnering with ANDY DOLPHIN'S Two Day Watercolour Masterclass at Plein Air Down Under 2026. 🎯 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?Andy is a Michael Harding Watercolour Paints Ambassador, and in celebration of this, each class participant will receive samples of each of Andy's favourite colours to work with in his Masterclass.Andy will still have a materials list - MINUS any paint colours, saving you time and money, and an opportunity to work with premium grade watercolours.🗓 WORKSHOP DETAILS:Wednesday 23 & Thursday 24 September 20269:00am - 4:00pm dailyStudio & Plein Air locations in Peel Region, WA📚 WHAT YOU'LL MASTER:Multi award winning artist, Andy Dolphin will demonstrate his bold watercolour technique with emphasis on:• Simplifying complex scenes using tone and composition• Creating successful paintings on location• Building lightweight, portable plein air setups• Working efficiently with a limited palettePerfect for artists with some watercolour experience looking to hone skills painting outdoors, or artists comfortable with other media wanting to explore watercolours without the material investment stress.This is hassle-free learning with world-class instruction and premium materials, all included.Ready to paint without the prep stress?Register now: pleinairdownunder.com/workshops/Limited spaces - book today!Please note: Masterclasses & Workshops are reserved exclusively for artists registering to paint and attend the Plein Air Down Under Outdoor Painting Festival.#MichaelHardingPaints #AndyDolphinArt #WatercolourMasterclass #PleinAirDownUnder2026Michael Harding Oil Paints Andy Dolphin Art WATERCOLOUR - Two day Masterclass #1 with Andy Dolphin ... See MoreSee Less

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    Contact

    Email:
    pleinairdownunder@gmail.com
    Phone:
    +61 414 441 761
    Postal Address
    P.O Box 788
    30-32 Pinjarra Road
    Mandurah, WA
    Australia, 6210