Everything you need to try Plein Air painting in NYC
New York City is one of the world's best outdoor painting destinations! As the weather warms up, there's something magical about trading your apartment walls for open sky and trying your hand at capturing the city's endless beauty. Whether you're a weekend watercolor enthusiast or someone who's never touched a paintbrush, here’s our comprehensive outdoor painting guide so you can create art surrounded by the energy that makes NYC special.
Be Prepared: Your Supply List
You don’t need a fancy plein air setup! Of course, if that’s your vibe, go for it. But for the rest of us who want a more casual kit, here are our tips on what actually works in NYC:
Portable everything: You'll be carrying your stuff on the subway, so bring a small pad of paper, 1-2 brushes, and a small palette of paint. I like to use a postcard sized watercolor notebook, 1 flat brush, and 5 primary colors of gouache. It challenges me to think in big shapes & exercise color theory!
Choose water-based paints like watercolor or gouache—they're perfect for painting outdoors since they clean up with just water and won't leave you or nearby people dealing with strong fumes.
A small folding stool or picnic blanket: It’s a busy city! Park benches are a hot commodity, so bring your own seating.
Clips or washi tape for your paper: NYC is windy, and losing your painting to a gust is heartbreaking!
Water in a leak-proof container: I like to repurpose a clean glass jar, with a lid, from my pantry for painting water (mine used to be a smoothie bottle) that’s separate from my drinking water.
Wet wipes & paper towels: For cleaning up, soaking up water, and for your hands
Our Painting Tips: Don't Aim for Perfection
NYC weather is unpredictable, tourists will photobomb your scene, and pigeons might investigate your paint water. That's all part of the charm! You're not trying to create a museum masterpiece—you're getting outside and seeing your city differently. Here's what actually helps:
Bring a friend! It's more fun to paint together, and they can tell you when to stop fussing with it. My art teacher used to say, it takes two artists to make a painting: one to paint it, and one to say it’s finished!
Focus on big shapes and colors when painting, rather than getting lost in tiny details—it comes together better than you'd think.
Start with sketching out the light and shadows since the sun moves fast (grab a quick photo as backup).
Roll with whatever happens—unexpected things often make paintings more interesting.
Be patient with yourself—everyone starts somewhere, and you're out there doing something creative, which is an accomplishment!
Last minute rain in the forecast? No problem! Luckily, you're in the most photographed city in the world—grab a shot from online, put on your favorite show or some music, and paint from your cozy apartment instead. It's still great practice for the next sunny day out.
When to Go
Early morning (like 8-10 AM) is golden hour for NYC plein air painting. Good light, fewer people, and you'll feel like you have the city to yourself.
Weekday afternoons work great too, especially in the outer borough parks where it's naturally less crowded.
Weekends in Manhattan parks are great for painting people, but you will have to deal with dodging the occasional frisbee and photo shoots. Choose your spot wisely!
Some of our favorite locations:
Central Park Reservoir - Perfect skyline reflections with way fewer crowds than the main attractions. The east and south sides give you the best city backdrop, plus actual benches to sit on
Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 2) - Those postcard-worthy Manhattan views everyone wants, but with the luxury of nearby bathrooms and water fountains. Set up on the grass near the basketball courts for the perfect angle
Brooklyn Heights brownstones - Remsen Street, Grace Court, and Pierrepont Place offer rows of gorgeous historic homes with colorful doors and charming window boxes. Pure NYC charm without the chaos
Fort Tryon Park - Medieval gardens and sweeping Hudson River views that'll make you forget you're in Manhattan. The Cloisters museum adds an old-world European vibe to your paintings
The High Line - Industrial NYC at its coolest. The Gansevort Overlook and 10th Avenue Square give you angles you literally can't get anywhere else (just go on weekday mornings to actually enjoy it)
DUMBO - Dramatic Manhattan Bridge views with cobblestone streets that scream old New York. Paint near the Time Out Market, or challenge yourself with the vintage carousel for something really unique
Gantry Plaza State Park - One of the best Manhattan skyline views you can get, period. The vintage cranes make perfect foreground elements, and you'll have way more space to spread out than most Manhattan spots
The Bottom Line
New York City is actually an amazing place to paint outdoors once you know where to look. Even if your painting doesn't turn out exactly how you imagined, you'll have spent a few hours really seeing the city instead of just rushing through it. In a place like NYC, that's pretty special all by itself.
So grab your paints, pick a spot, and give it a try!