ARTIST REGISTRATIONS now open

    ALL SKILL LEVELS, ALL MEDIUMS, ALL AGES.

    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.
    Join over 200 artists at Australia’s premier outdoor painting festival (est 2019).  Held annually in Mandurah and the Peel Region of Western Australia, this vibrant festival brings together 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, have-a-go activities and awards and prizes.

    Plein Air Down Under presents a week of outdoor and evening paint-outs, over $12,000 in awards and prizes, workshops, youth involvement and two art exhibitions. In 2026 internationally renowned artists (TBA) will run Masterclasses, paint and demonstrate throughout the festival.

    Over 200 artists will be painting throughout Mandurah’s town centre and beautiful foreshores, cultural precinct, and the historic town of Pinjarra. 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, and enjoy the festivities.

    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 $12,000 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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    What is Plein Air? find out more…

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    Plein Air Down Under

    3 days ago

    Plein Air Down Under
    The WOW Factor – Gouache on Black (plein air) with Linda MacAulayExplore the magic of painting with gouache on black paper, a technique that is perfect for capturing quick, high contrast paintings that really pop. Learn how painting the light values only, whilst reserving the black of the surface, allows you to quickly capture fleeting light. Watch this short video to see how dynamic this technique is.Thursday 24 September 2026 Peel Region, Western Australia Full details at pleinairdownunder.com/2026guestartistlindamacaulay/www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDsevO70nvI ... See MoreSee Less

    Gouache Sketchbook Tour by Linda MacAulay.

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    Australian Artist, Linda MacAulay takes you on a tour of her latest gouache sketchbook painted entirely on location. Learn about the art materials she uses ...

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    Plein Air Down Under

    4 days ago

    Plein Air Down Under
    River House Pinjarra 2025 Artist Residency winner, Andy Dolphin ArtAndy commences his week-long residency today and we are looking forward to reading all about it. We know there will be a lot of great art, the sharing of knowledge and observations, and some unusual antics. Stay tuned!Thank you to the River House Pinjarra for making this available for our PADU 2025 artists. We saw the fantastic results of Sarah Pondevies residency last year and it reinforces the importance of being able to be immersed in our artwork. @the_river_house_pinjarra ... See MoreSee Less
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    Plein Air Down Under

    6 days ago

    Plein Air Down Under
    🏡 Need accommodation for PADU this year?Look no further than Mandurah Holiday Rentals - Accommodation — offering a range of properties all within easy walking distance of the CBD. Whether you’re travelling solo or with a group, they will make your stay comfortable and convenient during the festival 🎨✨ Perfect locations close to all the action📞 Contact Shona on 0429 996 389📧 Or email reception@mandurahholidayrentals.com.au👉 Mention PADU to receive your exclusive festival discountSecure your stay early and make the most of your Plein Air Down Under experience!✨ All properties listed below are available for PADU:www.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au/listings/490167 Mandurah Family Splashwww.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au/listings/462849 Townside Getaway in Mandurahwww.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au/listings/441928 Mandurah Luxury on Suttonwww.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au/listings/410334 Pelican Nook in Mandurahwww.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au/listings/434245 Lazy Jetty Days in Mandurahwww.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au/listings/386746 Apt 56 Apollo Quayswww.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au/listings/386758 Apt 55 Apollo Quayswww.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au/listings/386745 Apt 69 Apollo Quayswww.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au/listings/386739 Mandurah overlooking the Marinawww.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au/listings/386764 On the Canals in Halls Headwww.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au/listings/395604 Dolphin Retreat in Hall Headwww.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au/listings/386741 Beach Cottage in the Heart of Mandurahwww.mandurahholidayrentals.com.au/listings/386753 Water Lovers Haven in Mandurah ... See MoreSee Less

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    Plein Air Down Under

    2 weeks ago

    Plein Air Down Under
    🎨 Are you ready to level up your plein air skills? 🎨Masterclass & Workshop registrations are now open! 🎉Join exclusive, hands-on classes designed to sharpen your skills, spark creativity, and deepen your artistic practice There is something for everyone:🎨 Oil with Greg Barnes🎨 Oil with Leon Holmes🎨 Watercolour with Andy Dolphin🎨 Pastel with Greg Barnes🎨 Procreate for Plein Air with Andy Dolphin🎨 Gouache on Black Paper with Linda MacAulay🎨 People in the Landscape with Leanne PearsonREMEMBER: Register to paint before booking your workshop! Get your ACCESS ALL AREAS Artist Registration here: www.trybooking.com/DJWTU ... 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