Hundreds of artists just spent three-plus days learning from some of today’s greatest watercolor painters at the Plein Air Convention & Expo (PACE). Among them, the editor of Inside Art’s free sister publication, American Watercolor, filled her notebook with handy tips and advice, which, of course, she’s been sharing with her readers. (Become one of them and subscribe to American Watercolor here!

Joseph Zbukvic, Loire Reflections, watercolor

Check out a great free demo of Joseph Zbukvic painting one of his watercolors here.

Joseph Zbukvic

During his pre-convention workshop, Joseph Zbukvic shared this interesting advice: “There’s a reason a hair dryer looks like a gun,” he said, “it kills your painting. Let you work dry naturally if you can.”

Born in Croatia, Zbukvic lives and works in Melbourne, Australia. He’s an in-demand watercolor artist especially known for atmospheric and moody landscapes. Something of a Tonalist perhaps, he often depicts his historic sites and rural and urban scenes in muted tones with a kind of quiet, dignified coloration. Zbukvic has won more than 200 international awards and held over 40 solo exhibitions in cities like London, San Antonio, and Sydney. His work is featured in public, corporate, and private collections worldwide.

Tim Oliver opened the convention’s regular watercolor programming (PACE has a stage devoted exclusively to watercolor with demos all day, every day!). He started his demonstration with this tip:

“Once you have an idea, sketch it,” he said, “maybe there really isn’t a painting there. Most of my best works started with a sketch. … And don’t forget we’re artists. We can use our imagination.”

Tim Oliver’s demo painting – made without a reference.

Primarily a plein-air landscapist, Tim is also a professional landscape architect and owner of a design/build landscape firm in Lubbock, Texas. He graduated with a Bachelors degree in landscape architecture in 1983 from Texas Tech University. Tim holds Signature membership in the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society and the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies. 

“Watercolor, in a practiced hand, is the perfect medium for capturing the powerful emotion of a place,” Oliver says. “I’m always drawn to things western, rural, gritty and seemingly mundane or ordinary. Anything evocative of a ‘time long passed by’ will always capture my attention.”

“I love the authenticity, immediacy and raw honesty of painting finished watercolor works en plein air,” he says. “This can be a challenge at times, but the rewards of plein air painting are numerous and immense.”

Watercolor Live! Returns in January, 2026. Get a jump on your New Years’ Resolution to PAINT MORE by registering for the experience here.