Plein Air Paint Outs
Paint outs are offered the first three Saturdays of each month. On the fourth weekend, we offer a Sunday morning paint out. Several times a season, 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.
March
April
Paint Out: Cardinal’s Residence, Gold Coast
April 18 @ 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....
Paint Out: Andersonville (Sunday)
April 26 @ 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 ...
May
Paint Out: Hutchinson Historic District
May 2 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at 600-800 Hutchinson StreetThis district’s mix of Prairie style designs and more traditional historical styles, such as Class...
Paint Out: Southport Avenue, Roscoe Street north to Grace Street
May 9 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Roscoe/SouthportLots of shops and restaurants line Southport Avenue, with the Music Box and Mercury Theaters north n...
Paint Out: Roscoe Village
May 16 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Roscoe VillageRoscoe Village is a family friendly neighborhood and promises to be an active Saturday. Roscoe Str...
Paint Out: Buckingham Fountain (Sunday)
May 24 @ 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: Belmont Harbor
May 30 @ 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...
June
Paint Out: Armitage Avenue
June 6 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at 1000 W ArmitageThis main street is almost exactly as it was in the late 1800’s. Historic buildings with great det...
Paint Out: Lincoln Park Conservatory / Lincoln Park Zoo / Shakespeare Garden
June 13 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Lincoln Park Conservatory / Lincoln Park Zoo / Shakespeare GardenThe conservatory is a painting challenge! The gardens are beautiful and the fountain is a treat! If ...
Paint Out: Lakeview East
June 20 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Lakeview EastA bustling neighborhood with shopfronts flashy and quaint, the historic Century Movie Palace, a Goth...
Paint Out: Pullman Garden Walk
June 27 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm CDT at Pullman Historic Districtdetailed info forthcoming
July
Paint Out: Riverwalk
July 4 @ 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 ...
Paint Out: Chicago Botanical Garden
July 11 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Chicago Botanic Garden385 acres of nature! Head to one of the favorite painting spots such as the English Walled Garden, t...
Paint Out: Humboldt Park
July 18 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Humboldt Park Boat HouseHumboldt Park is an active park and offers an iconic boathouse on a large lagoon, paths with ponds c...
Paint Out: Old Town (Sunday)
July 26 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Old TownOld Town is a busy thriving neighborhood which offers us many choices. You can paint at Twin Ancho...
August
Paint Out: Prairie Avenue
August 1 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Prairie AveOnce the premier street to live on in Chicago. Historic mansions line this street. This is a beautif...
Paint out: Lincoln Park Side Streets
August 15 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDTPaint Out: Montrose Harbor (Sunday)
August 23 @ 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. ...
September
Paint Out: Pilsen
September 5 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Pilsen, Jumping BeanPilsen is a favorite painting site! The Jumping Bean Coffee Shop is a beautiful building with a Vi...
Paint out: Wabash/State/VanBuren
September 12 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDTPaint Out: Green City Market
September 19 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Green City MarketThis Lincoln Park farmer’s market, Green City Market, is located at 1817 N. Clark Street. We’l...
Paint Out: Grosse Point Lighthouse (Sunday)
September 27 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Grosse Point LighthouseThe Grosse Point Lighthouse, a well-preserved lighthouse that was built in 1873, is located next to ...
October
Paint Out: Palette and Chisel, Washington Square Park
Double header! Palette and Chisel, Washington Square Park! If you want a larger park that is quiet w...
October 3 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine ArtsPaint out: Chinatown and Ping Tom Park
Chinatown‘s Wentworth Avenue boasts the Chinatown Gate, numerous paintable storefronts, and th...
October 10 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Ping Tom ParkPaint out: Bucktown
A good meeting spot is St. Mary of the Angels church, at the corner of N. Wood St. And W. Cortland S...
October 17 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at BucktownPaint Out: Graceland Cemetery
Graceland Cemetery is a large historic garden cemetery located in the north side community area of U...
October 31 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Graceland Cemetery
November
Become a Member
Join the Plein Air Painters Chicago today and receive all of the wonderful membership benefits.