Plein Air Paint Outs
Paint outs are offered the first three Saturdays of each month. On the fourth weekend, we offer a Friday night nocturne and Sunday morning paint out. At least once a month, a celebrated guest artist is on hand to demo and critique.
Everyone is invited to paint along with us, as we enjoy each other’s companionship and enhance our artistic skills. As members, we have fun exploring Chicago’s neighborhoods, watching demonstrations by well-known artists, sharing painting insights, and learning from critiques. At the end of each plein air season, all of us – from beginners to professionals – feel a great sense of satisfaction when we frame and exhibit the paintings we created during our paint outs.
Paint Outs are listed by month below, and also on our Events Calendar page.
April
Museum Campus/ Field, Shedd, Adler
April 6 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Museum CampusHooray for Chicago’s amazing museums. We are fortunate tp be able to set up out easels and p...
Roscoe Village
April 13 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Roscoe VillageRoscoe Village is a family friendly neighborhood and promises to be an active Saturday. Roscoe Stree...
Dearborn Station
April 20 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Dearborn StationThis location offers the station with its clock tower and historic loft buildings. Once the center f...
Spirit of Music Garden, Grant Park South, This is on a Sunday
April 28 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Spirit of Music Garden Grant ParkWhatever you’re in the mood to paint, you should find it at this paint out. Spirit of Music Garden...
May
Andersonville
May 4 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at AndersonvilleFrom the early 1800s until 1960, Swedes ranked as Chicago’s fifth-largest foreign-born group. One ...
Hutchinson Historic District
May 11 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Hutchinson Historic DistrictThis district’s mix of Prairie style designs and more traditional historical styles, such as Class...
Belmont Harbor
May 18 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Belmont HarborBelmont Harbor is located in the heart of beautiful Lincoln Park and is one of the largest harbors i...
Gold Coast/ Cardinal’s Residence This is on a Sunday
May 26 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Cardinal’s residenceA favorite painting site, the mansion is challenging with its arched entryway and multiple chimneys....
June
Loop near Chicago Theatre
June 1 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at LoopThis is a fun day for iconic buildings and people. The Chicago Theater offers an iconic marquee, a...
Bucktown
June 8 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at BucktownA good meeting spot is St. Mary of the Angels church, at the corner of N. Wood St. And W. Cortland S...
Paint out: Montrose Harbor
June 15 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Montrose HarborMontrose Harbor is located on the northern edge of Lincoln Park, a short walk from Montrose Beach. W...
Paint Out: Lincoln Park Conservatory
June 22 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDTThe conservatory is a painting challenge! The gardens are beautiful and the fountain is a treat! If ...
Paint out: Riverwalk
June 29 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at RiverwalkWe will be meeting on the riverfront at Michigan and Wacker near O’Brien’s Restaurant. It’s a ...
July
Paint out: Old Town with Guest Artist Errol Jacobson, meet 8:30 1400 N. Wells
July 6 @ 8:30 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Old TownDemo begins at 8:30am at intersection of Schiller and Wells. Errol will show us his Plein Air ...
Guest Artist Critique: Errol Jacobson
July 10 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm CDT at zoomFor Members Only! We are very fortunate to have Errol Jacobson, one of the founders of the PAPC and ...
Paint out: Dempster Avenue, Evanston
July 13 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Dempster and Chicago Avenue, EvanstonDempster and Chicago Avenue. This paint out happens during the Evanston Plein Air Festival. Dempster...
Paint out: Sheffield Garden Walk
July 20 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Sheffield and Armitage AvenuesFrom 9-12, we will paint along Sheffield and other side streets such as Fremont, Dayton and Seminary...
Paint Out: Sunday, Ping Tom Park
July 28 @ 8:30 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Ping Tom Memorial ParkThis is on a Sunday Ping Tom Memorial Park’s 12-acre site was originally a Chicago and Weste...
August
Paint Out: Little Italy/Taylor Street – Double Header Weekend!!!
August 3 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Little italyDue to rain, last week’s demo was cancelled, so this weekend we decided to do a Double Header ...
Double Header Paint Out Weekend!!! Chinatown and Demo at Ping Tom Park
August 4 @ 8:30 am - 12:30 pm CDT at Ping Tom ParkDue to rain, last week’s demo was cancelled, so this weekend we decided to do a Double Header ...
Guest Artist Critique: Don Yang 7pm via zoom
August 7 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm CDT at zoomDon Yang always gives an excellent critique, so don’t miss this opportunity! Post your paintin...
Paint Out: Buckingham Fountain
August 10 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Buckingham FountainThe Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, one of the largest in the world, is located at Columbus D...
Paint Out: Lake View East
August 17 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Lakeview EastA bustling neighborhood with shopfronts both flashy and quaint, the historic Century Movie Palace, a...
Paint Out: Hyde Park
August 24 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at 53rd Street and HarperCome with us to paint the beautiful tree lined streets of Hyde Park. We will meet at 53rd and Ha...
Paint Out: Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic District
August 31 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Frank Lloyd Wright Home and StudioOak Park offers great architecture amid lush tree-lined streets. Street parking available. Frank Llo...
September
Paint Out: Lincoln Park Zoo
September 7 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Lincoln Park ZooLincoln Park Zoo offers animals, greenery, and interesting buildings. Begin early to beat the crowd....
Paint Out: Green City Market
September 14 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Green City Farmer’s MarketThis Lincoln Park farmer’s market, Green City Market, is located at 1817 N. Clark Street. We’ll ...
Paint Out: Pilsen
September 21 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Pilsen, Jumping BeanPilsen is a favorite painting site! The Jumping Bean Coffee Shop (1439 W 18TH Street) is a beautif...
Paint Out: Humboldt Park
September 29 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Humboldt Park Boat HouseThis paint out is a favorite for PAPC members. If you like choices at your paint outs, then this is ...
October
Paint Out: Armitage Avenue
This main street is almost exactly as it was in the late 1800’s. Historic buildings with great det...
October 5 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at 1000 W ArmitagePaint Out: Wicker Park – under the El tracks
Bustling busy neighborhood with mansions, overhead train tracks, and lots of storefronts. Central me...
October 12 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at WIcker ParkPaint Out: Rush Street Triangle/Mariano Park
1031 N State Street If you’ve wanted to perfect your cafe scenes, then this your opportunity. This...
October 19 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Mariano ParkPaint Out: Riverside – Sunday paint out
The suburb of Riverside is a new location for the PAPC. Designed by Olmsted, the creator of Central ...
October 27 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Riverside IL
Become a Member
Join the Plein Air Painters Chicago today and receive all of the wonderful membership benefits.
Only $50 a year.
$35 for students with I.D. & current enrollment.