DART Diary: Plein Air Painting NYC
Sunday, August 24: Central Park, North Woods
This just in from Insiya Pardiwala: I’m the founder of a vibrant group called Plein Air Painters of New York. I began my plein air painting journey in 2022, and after taking a transformative workshop at the Art Students League last September, I connected with a group of passionate women who shared my enthusiasm for painting outdoors. 
Our small circle grew into something more significant as we continued meeting regularly throughout the winter of 2023. The joy we found in these gatherings inspired me to create a Meetup group, where we could expand our circle, welcome new artists, and build a supportive community.
Since then, our group has grown to 210 members and meets weekly (sometimes biweekly). We've explored diverse locations across Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx, and even ventured on day trips to places like Red Hook. Our events are always free, and we aim to keep them that way, ensuring that art remains accessible to everyone.
Our meetups typically involve 2-3 hours of painting, followed by a casual gathering at a nearby café or restaurant, where we connect, share ideas, and support one another's projects. We welcome artists of all levels and mediums, from watercolors and oils to sketchbooks and iPads. The essence of our group is to create art, engage with the world around us, and empower each other as artists. This Sunday we will paint in Central Park, and are planning a day trip to Beacon, NY in the coming weeks.
To join our Meetup group: Info Instagram: @pleinairpainters_of_nyc
Wednesday, August 21, 10am-noon: Figure Al Fresco at Rector Park East
Come to Battery Park City outdoors and learn figure drawing. This program offers a unique setting to observe and sketch the human figure. Each week a model will strike short and long poses for participants to draw. An artist/ educator will offer constructive suggestions and critique. Drawing materials provided, and artists are encouraged to bring their own favorite media. For adults age 18 and up. This program continues on Wednesdays through October 23and meets at Rector Park East Info
Wednesday, August 21, 2-4pm: Elements of Nature Drawing at Rector Park East
Join our community of artists of all skill levels as we are inspired by our surroundings to create with drawing materials, pastels and watercolors. Embolden your artwork amidst the flower-filled and seasonally evolving palette of Battery Park City’s verdant gardens. An artist/ educator will provide ideas and instruction. Materials provided, and artists are encouraged to bring their own favorite media. For adults age 18 and up. This program continues on Wednesdays through October 23and meets at Rector Park East Info Above: Peggy Roalf, watercolor sketch 2023
Saturday, August 24, 10am-noon: Drawing in the Park at South Cove
Paint in watercolor, or use pastels, chalk, and charcoal to capture the magical vistas of the Hudson River and the unique landscape of the South Cove. An artist/educator will help participants of all levels with instruction and critique. Art materials provided. This program continues on Saturdays through October 26. Info
Sunday, September 8, 1-4pm: Figure Drawing at 6 & B Garden
The 6th & B Garden, on the corner of East 6th Street and Avenue B, is a 17,813 square ft. lush, green oasis offering beauty, peace, education and entertainment to local residents and visitors of all ages. The Garden contains fruiting trees, flowering shrubs and innumerable herbs, flowers and vegetables. Members cultivate raised beds of soil and stage programs of arts and crafts, horticultural/science workshops, culinary events, films, multicultural festivals, and musical and theatrical performances from around the world.
Every month the Garden offers Sunday afternoon 3 hours of figure drawing in a sheltered space, with a clothed model. Bring your own materials. Info
Sunday, September 15, 1-3pm: Summer on the Hudson Pein Air Painting
An instructor from the Art Students League leads a visual exploration of our beautiful park. Learn to draw or paint from observation. Bring your favorite drawing supplies; some basic materials provided. Map
Summer on the Hudson is NYC Parks' annual outdoor arts and culture festival that takes place in Riverside Park from 59th Street to the George Washington Bridge. With a mix of music concerts, dance performances, movies under the stars, kids. All SOH programs and events are free to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be cancelled. No rain dates are scheduled. If attendance reaches maximum capacity management reserves the right to close participation.
NYC Urban Sketchers: Weekdays, Weekends and Workshops
Urban Sketchers (USk) is a global community of artists that practice drawing on location in cities, towns and villages they live in or travel to. The Urban Sketchers movement was started on Flickr in 2007 by journalist Gabriel Campanario. In 2009 Campanario established Urban Sketchers as a nonprofit organization (501 (c) (3) tax-exempt).
The mission of USk is to raise the artistic, storytelling and educational value of location drawing, promoting its practice and connecting people around the world who draw on location where they live and travel. Their motto is: We aim to show the world, one drawing at a time.
See the NYC Urban Sketchers blog for meet ups and workshops, in NYC and Westchester, here
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