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
Someone has to do it!![]()
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Testing out a Mandurah beach location for Georgia Mansur's Acrylic Seascapes Workshop on 23 September.![]()
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✔️ Great views![]()
✔️ Shelter![]()
✔️ Cafe on site![]()
✔️ Rolling surf & rocks![]()
✔️ Headland with distant buildings ![]()
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What do you think?![]()
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@gogeorgiegirl
Calling all Pastel Artists AND Oil Painters!![]()
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We’re thrilled to introduce one of this year’s Feature Artists — Greg Barnes from North Carolina, USA 🇺🇸 — appearing in Australia exclusively for Plein Air Down Under!![]()
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✨ This is a rare opportunity to learn from an internationally acclaimed artist right here in Australia.![]()
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Greg will be doing two Masterclasses:![]()
OIL: 21 & 22 September![]()
PASTEL: 24 & 25 September![]()
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Copy & paste the link for full details:![]()
pleinairdownunder.com/2026featureartistgregbarnes/
For artists who love painting the ocean but feel paralysed by its constantly moving chaos, crashing waves, and infinite details – PADU Guest Artist Georgia Mansur will show you, step by step, how to capture its essence without chasing every ripple!![]()
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Transform chaotic scenes into harmonious art with Georgia’s proven "3-Value Simplification" method for stunning results. ![]()
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Check out this short video for a sneak peak of what you can expect in Georgia’s Workshop, Acrylic Seascapes en plein air.![]()
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Wednesday 23 September, 9am to 4pm: BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN![]()
Acrylic Seascapes en plein air![]()
Location: A Mandurah beach, to be confirmed![]()
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Full class details here: pleinairdownunder.com/2026featureartistgeorgiamansur/![]()
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Georgia Mansur
Painting Simplified -- With Only 3 Values!
www.youtube.com
Transform chaotic scenes into harmonious art with International Awa...
One of the (many) benefits of attending Plein Air Down Under with an ACCESS ALL AREAS PASS is the eligibility to attend our Masterclasses and/or Workshops. ![]()
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We take skill development seriously and these classes are reserved exclusively for our registered artists as a way of enhancing the overall festival experience. ![]()
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Check out the full list of classes here:![]()
pleinairdownunder.com/workshops/
🎨 EARLY BIRD ARTIST REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN! 🎨![]()
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Register now for Plein Air Down Under and SAVE $25 with our Early Bird offer!![]()
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Your ACCESS ALL AREAS PASS gives you the total festival experience packed with painting opportunities, professional development, exhibitions, competitions, great food and wonderful artist connections.![]()
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✅ Paint at all Experience Peel locations | 22–25 September![]()
✅ Paint throughout the festival footprint | 26–28 September![]()
✅ Entry into the Quick Draw Two Hour Painting Competition![]()
✅ Meet & Greet event at the Leon Holmes Gallery gardens![]()
✅ Complimentary Saturday night dinner presented by Ray White Mandurah![]()
✅ Complimentary Saturday morning coffee presented by Ray White Mandurah![]()
✅ Feature Artist Greg Barnes (USA) Professional Development Presentation at Mandurah Performing Arts Centre![]()
✅ Eligibility for workshops & masterclasses![]()
✅ Eligibility to exhibit four artworks at Mandurah Performing Arts Centre![]()
✅ Eligibility for over $13,000 in prizes & awards![]()
✅ Complimentary light lunch on Monday 28 September![]()
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Whether you’re a seasoned plein air painter or joining us for the first time, PADU is one of Australia’s most exciting outdoor painting festivals.![]()
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Secure your place today and join artists from across Australia and beyond for an unforgettable creative experience in Mandurah, the historic town of Pinjarra and the wider Peel Region.![]()
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Full details: pleinairdownunder.com/![]()
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Ray White - Mandurah ![]()
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre ![]()
Leon Holmes ![]()
City of Mandurah ![]()
Shire of Murray
Contact
Postal Address
P.O Box 788
30-32 Pinjarra Road
30-32 Pinjarra Road
Mandurah, WA
Australia, 6210
Australia, 6210
