Plein Air Painting

Watercolor, gouache, and ink, 2018 - 2023

Claire Loon Baldwin’s Plein Air Painting series features studies created in iconic locations such as the Grand Canyon, Rainier National Park, Oregon, and Maine. Working on-site in diverse landscapes, Claire captures the essence of each environment with watercolor, gouache, and pen and ink. The pieces reflect the changing light, color, and textures of the landscapes, capturing Claire's experience in the outdoors.

Selected pieces from this series are available as prints, cards, and other products through Etsy.

To learn more about the materials and methods Claire uses for painting in the backcountry, visit her blog or check out her upcoming classes.

A hand holding an open sketchbook in front of a picturesque natural scene. The sketchbook features a watercolor painting of a lush waterfall cascading over moss-covered rocks, framed by red sandstone cliffs. The real-life waterfall mirrors the artwork in the sketchbook.

A vibrant watercolor painting depicting a waterfall cascading over a lush, moss-covered mound surrounded by red sandstone cliffs. The flowing water creates a serene scene with intricate textures and soft colors. Below the main artwork, a botanical motif featuring green leaves, bright orange flowers, and roots is delicately illustrated.

A hand holds a small watercolor painting of a snow-capped mountain, evergreen forest, and blue lake in the foreground. The painting is aligned with the actual scene in the background, where the same mountain rises under a clear blue sky, creating a connection between the artwork and the surrounding nature.

A watercolor and ink illustration of a pine woods and jade ocean inlet is centered in the image, and behind it is a photo of the location. The illustration, by Claire Loon Baldwin, is created with loose, vibrant, luminous watercolors in a realistic style, with ink lines created with a brush pen.

A vibrant watercolor painting depicting a seascape with rolling waves in shades of blue and green in the foreground. Above the ocean, dramatic clouds in soft hues of pink, orange, and cream fill the sky, illuminated by the warm glow of the setting or rising sun. The artwork captures the movement and tranquility of the ocean and sky.

A watercolor sketch spread across two pages of an open sketchbook, secured with a metal clip on each side. The painting depicts a serene scene of a white wooden bridge spanning a calm stream surrounded by rocks and forest greenery. Soft, muted tones of green, blue, and brown dominate the composition, capturing the tranquility of the natural setting with delicate brushwork. The background features lush trees and diffused light, adding depth to the painting.

A watercolor study of two autumn leaves on a sketchbook page, surrounded by handwritten notes and swatches of color. The left leaf is multicolored, showcasing warm shades of orange, red, green, and yellow with fine detailing and soft gradients. The right leaf features orange and red hues with subtle veins and a darker stem. Below the leaves, color swatches in various tones—reds, oranges, greens, and yellows—accompany notes about the painting process, including techniques like wet-on-wet and dry-brush. The overall composition captures the beauty and texture of fall foliage with an exploratory and educational tone.

A watercolor landscape painting in an open sketchbook, secured with a metal clip on the left. The scene depicts a serene lakeside view with rocky terrain in the foreground, painted in earthy browns and greens. Trees with golden and green foliage rise from the rocks, creating a contrast against the tranquil water in the middle ground. In the background, a soft gradient sky transitions from light blue to golden yellow, with hints of distant greenery reflecting on the water's surface. The artwork captures a peaceful, natural setting with loose, fluid brushstrokes.

A hand holds a watercolor sketch of a rugged canyon landscape, aligning it with the real-life scene in the background. The sketch captures a winding river flanked by tall, rocky cliffs, surrounded by greenery. In the actual landscape, the sunlight highlights the vibrant green trees and the shimmering blue river as it meanders through the valley. The rocky cliffs are prominent against the clear, bright blue sky, and the view extends into a distant horizon.

A watercolor painting of a tranquil forest scene featuring a cascading waterfall flowing over rocky terrain. The water is depicted in soft blues and whites, creating a sense of movement. Large gray boulders surround the waterfall, framed by lush green trees in the background. In the foreground, a cluster of bright yellow wildflowers adds a touch of warmth and vibrancy to the composition. The overall palette is muted and harmonious.

A hand holding a sketchbook featuring a watercolor painting of a forest waterfall scene. The painted waterfall mirrors the real-life backdrop of a cascading waterfall flowing into a turquoise pool, surrounded by rugged rocks. Yellow wildflowers in the foreground connect the painting with the natural surroundings. The sunlight highlights the vibrant greens, blues, and yellows of the environment.

A vibrant watercolor painting of bare trees silhouetted against a sunset sky in Maine at 4:05 PM. The branches are painted in deep navy and black, stretching out in intricate patterns, while the sky transitions from warm orange and pink hues at the horizon to cooler purples and blues higher up.

A hand holding a watercolor painting of the Grand Canyon, depicting the iconic layered rock formations and expansive vistas in soft hues of orange, brown, and blue. The painting is positioned against the real-life backdrop of the Grand Canyon, showcasing the dramatic cliffs and deep valleys under a clear blue sky. A pine branch enters the frame on the right.

A watercolor scientific illustration of a small, white-bellied bird with a white face. Its legs are thin, short, and dark. The top, back, and wings of the bird are a vibrant green-to-purple gradient. The text above the illustration reads "Violet Green Swallow", with its Latin name "Tachycineta Thalassina" written small beside in smaller text. Below the bird is a separate illustration of a white egg labeled "Egg, pure white, 2 inches long".
Below the egg is an illustration of the bird's feather featuring its bright green coloring.

Plein Air Painting

Watercolor, gouache, and ink, 2018 - 2023

Lupine Bouquet

Grand Canyon Centennial Posters

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