Which painting technique is characterized by working outdoors, often in nature?

Plein air painting is a technique that involves creating artwork outdoors and directly capturing the natural scenes in real-time. This practice became particularly popular among Impressionist artists in the late 19th century, allowing them to depict the changing light, colors, and atmosphere present in natural settings. Unlike traditional studio work, plein air painting encourages spontaneity and a direct response to the environment, resulting in vibrant and dynamic compositions that reflect the artist's immediate visual experience.

Alla prima, while related to the idea of working quickly, specifically refers to a technique where the painting is completed in one session, often using wet paint on wet paint but does not necessarily mean painting outdoors. Wet on wet describes a method of blending colors directly on the canvas while the paint is still moist, which can be used both outdoors and indoors. Impasto is a technique involving the application of thick layers of paint, which can create texture, but does not define the setting of the work. Therefore, plein air painting is uniquely defined by its outdoor setting and direct engagement with the landscape.