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![]()
Paint alongside our feature and guest artists at the Plein Air Down Under festival — Peel Region, WA · 22–29 September. Some Workshops are already sold out and available spots are limited, and selling fast; be quick to secure your place.![]()
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FEATURE ARTISTS · Masterclasses![]()
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🖌️ GREG BARNES![]()
• Oils, Landscape Painting (studio & plein air) - ALMOST FULL!![]()
Mon 21 & Tue 22 Sept · 9am–4pm![]()
• Pastels (plein air) - SELLING FAST!![]()
Thu 24 & Fri 25 Sept · 9am–4pm Thu/9am to 3pm Fri![]()
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🖌️ LEON HOLMES![]()
• Oil Painting en plein air - A FEW SPOTS LEFT!![]()
Mon 21 & Tue 22 Sept · 9am–4pm![]()
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🖌️ ANDY DOLPHIN ![]()
• Watercolour (plein air) - ONLY ONE PLACE LEFT!![]()
Wed 23 & Thu 24 Sept · 9am–4pm![]()
• Procreate for plein air (studio) - RESERVE YOUR SPOT!![]()
Tue 29 Sept · 9am–4pm![]()
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GUEST ARTISTS · 1-Day Workshops![]()
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✏️ GEORGIA MANSUR![]()
• Acrylic Seascapes (plein air) - SELLING FAST!![]()
Wed 23 Sept · 9am–4pm![]()
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✏️ LINDA MACAULAY![]()
• Gouache on Black Paper, The Wow Factor (plein air) - SOLD OUT – WAITLIST AVAILABLE![]()
Fri 25 Sept · 9am–3pm ![]()
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✏️ LEANNE PEARSON![]()
• Oil, People in the Landscape (plein air) - SOLD OUT – WAITLIST AVAILABLE![]()
Fri 25 Sept · 9am–3pm![]()
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Masterclasses and Workshops are 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/![]()
Andy Dolphin Art Leon Holmes Georgia Mansur Linda MacAulay Artist Leanne Pearson Artist
Andy Dolphin is exhibiting at this year's Spirit of the Landscape Art Exhibition (5 Sep to 11 Oct) and he is one of Plein Air Down Under’s Feature artists for 2026. You have the opportunity to register for one of his Masterclasses and learn from a Master!![]()
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Masterclass # 1 - Watercolour - studio & plein air -2 days - Wed 23 & Thu 24 Sept 2026![]()
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Masterclass # 2 - Procreate for Plein Air - studio - one day - Tue 29 Sept 2026![]()
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For more info copy and paste to your browser: www.pleinairdownunder.com/workshops![]()
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Spots are filling fast, so be quick to take advantage of this opportunity. Note that PADU Masterclasses and workshops are available for registered artists only - early bird registrations still available pleinairdownunder.com/
A shout out to Mandurah Holiday Rentals - Accommodation who have been looking after our artists since year one, 2019!![]()
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As our Accommodation Partner, they know what we need, and have compiled a list of options below, offering a 10% discount. All these options are close to the CBD, and some are right on the water's edge. Mandurah's waterways are magical. ![]()
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Have a look, find what you want, and give Shona a call on 042 999 6389.![]()
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Waters Edge Apartment with Jetty
www.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au
Please copy and paste this link into your browser to view a 360° tour of the property: bestvirtualtours.co/share/53dc908f682f2195dde5d52c5ab028a5 This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom holiday apartment ...Contact
Postal Address
P.O Box 788
30-32 Pinjarra Road
30-32 Pinjarra Road
Mandurah, WA
Australia, 6210
Australia, 6210
