Here’s a retrospective of the 2026 Vancouver En Plein Air Painter’s Meetup, a painting group I created after joining an en plein air painting course in Cortona, Italy in September of 2023. Our meetup group started painting in the Greater Vancouver parks in April of 2024.

Join us if you’re in the area. You’ll find us on the Meetup Platform, or search our name online for “The Vancouver En Plein Air Painters”. Enjoy the photos!

Our meetup painting events in photos…

January 5 2026 Van Dusen Botanical Gardens

While walking through the gardens, we met Gary, one of our group members. He does such lovely watercolours, with a limited palette of four paints. It’s amazing the variety of colour one can achieve with just four hues.

January 17, 2026 False Creek

It was a very chilly day in January, so cold that many of us stopped early.

We followed the sun around the seawall, gathering more painters as we went. After sharing our work, several of us gathered at an outdoor patio for a bowl of hot soup. So great to be in the sun in January!

March 1 2026 Van Dusen Botanical Gardens

The many varieties of heather were in full bloom on this day. Everyone found a good place to paint. I enjoyed laying down the beginning of my painting. More to come. We had a very good turnout this day, too!

March 8, 2026 Van Dusen Botanical Gardens

We came back for another session at the gardens. The Heather Garden was still in full bloom, backlit by the late afternoon sun. Perfect for continuing my painting.

March 28, 2026 Queen Elizabeth Park

The daffodils are out! The cherry blossoms are blooming! Despite the chilly weather, it was really fun painting at Queen Elizabeth Park. I made a little watercolour of the daffodils amongst the trees.