The streets of Mandurah will burst to life with colour this month as artists take to the foreshore for a number of creative events and, Mandurah's inaugural outdoor painting festival, Plein Air Down Under.
A French expression meaning "in the open air", Plein Air artists seek the quality of natural light and an outdoor atmosphere to create works that depict the beauty they find in nature, using a variety of mediums.
With the subject in full view, the artist can paint a moment in real time and capture the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, colour and movement.
Artists of all abilities will be encouraged to step outside the studio and enjoy the open air this September with plenty of painting activities to welcome in the colourful spring months.
It all starts with the International Plein Air Painters Worldwide Paint Out in Mandurah from September 6-8.
With the event set to take place simultaneously all across the world, outdoor artists are invited to bring their colours and easels to the Mandjar Square between 11am and 3pm on Friday to join in the 17th annual event.
The free festivities will then make their way to the Mandurah foreshore, near Gloria Jeans, on Saturday and Sunday to continue celebrating the talent of outdoor painters.
Artists of all skill levels and mediums are invited to bring their own materials and join in the fun while the public are also encouraged to watch the painters at work throughout the day.
On September 27, Leon Holmes will host a one-day oil painting workshop for beginners who would like to paint en plein air, but do not know the basics.
The creative month will end with Mandurah's first outdoor painting festival, Plein Air Down Under from September 28-30.
The three-day event celebrating all things outdoor painting will include workshops, demonstrations, artist talks, paint outs and an exhibition.
There is also $5000 worth of cash and prizes on offer for artists who take on the challenge of capturing the character and beauty of Mandurah's natural and built environment.
The festival will be held around Mandjar Square, the eastern foreshore, boardwalk and Dolphin Quay Marina from 10am-4pm on September 28-30.
For more information about any of the upcoming events, or to take part in the Plein Air Down Under painting festival, visit the website.
