Faculty 2026
In 2026, Plein Air Down Under presents nationally and internationally renowned artists to paint and demonstrate their skills during the festival. The artists for 2026 are Greg Barnes (USA), Leon Holmes (Australia) and Andy Dolphin (Australia) who bring their distinct perspectives, adding an enriching global dimension.
Our festival is further supported by guest artists Linda MacAulay (Victoria) and Leanne Pearson (Western Australia).
MasterClass and Workshop access will be available for those with a PADU 2026 Access All Areas Pass.
Access All Areas Pass. Register here
Masterclasses and Workshops. Register here
GREG BARNES (USA)
American artist Greg Barnes began painting full time in 2002, on the heels of the 911 disaster. Feeling that “life is short” he finally took his Fine Art degree from Wake Forest University to heart. Greg became attached to soft pastels through his love of drawing and doing portraits when he first began to make a living as an artist. Soon he discovered plein air landscape painting to be his greatest joy, pursuing that further. To jump start his art career, Greg took pastel and oil painting workshops with nationally recognized instructors Albert Handell and Scott Christensen. While selling at art festivals, Greg received requests from potential students to teach them what heknew. He then began teaching his own pastel and oil workshops. Now he divides his time betweenplein air painting events and teaching
LEON HOLMES (WA)
Leon is an international award-winning plein air artist, lecturer and ambassador.
He paints from life on location, without the aid of photography, using his small studies as reference for larger studio works created in his home studio in Mandurah.
A professional artist since 2003, Leon paints outdoors in the old masters’ style of impressionistic realism. He works in oil to quickly capture natural light and colour.
View Leon’s work at: leonholmesart.com.au
ANDY DOLPHIN (Mt Barker, WA)
Andy’s journey into fine art began over two decades ago, though his passion for art stretches back to childhood.
With a professional background in sign writing, graphic art, and commercial illustration, he now focuses on oil and watercolour painting, as well as outdoor sketching. Inspired by rural landscapes, forests, and seascapes, his work captures the beauty of sunlight, particularly the dramatic interplay of light and shadow at dawn and dusk.
His passion for plein air sketching and painting continues to grow and has earned him invitations to teach a variety of workshops, including residencies at Wireless Hill and Beverley plus regular spots at Plein Air Down Under and Albany Summer School.
Read more on Andy and his Urban Sketching Workshop Andy Dolphin
Guest Artists 2026
Linda MacAulay (Vic)
Australian Artist Linda MacAulay’s art career spans many decades and includes exhibiting, teaching, residencies, awards, publications and sales.
Linda worked as Artist in Residence at Uluru for many years, her large-scale acrylic canvasses reflecting her connection to the Australian landscape and a humorous approach to life.
One of her passions is experimenting with art techniques and materials and loves to share her creative discoveries with others. Linda appeared as a feature artist on the Television show “Colour in Your Life” and also shares her painting techniques on her YouTube channel.
Read more on Linda and her workshop
The WOW Factor – Gouache on Black (en plein air)
Leanne Pearson ( Quins Rock, WA).
Leanne Pearson is a Perth-based oil painter renowned for her luminous artwork and expressive brushwork. A passionate artist with more than 20 years living and working in Western Australia, Leanne has received numerous prestigious awards and is widely respected for her exceptional use of colour and her ability to capture light with confidence and sensitivity. After many years teaching art from her home studio and within the community, Leanne has expanded her reach through an online art membership platform, offering comprehensive oil painting instruction with new monthly teaching videos. She continues to present workshops locally, interstate and internationally, while growing her online teaching practice.
Read more on Leanne and her People in the Landscape workshop
