The streets of Mandurah are abuzz as the city gears up for the inaugural Outdoor Painting Festival, Plein Air Down Under.
And the region will be in the company of royal tour artist and one of Australia's most prominent landscape painters, Warwick Fuller, who will be the festival's feature guest artist.
Fuller's fans include HRH Prince of Wales and HRH Duchess of Cornwall who have acquired a number of the artist's paintings.
Running from September 28-30, the Plein Air Down Under festival features three days of outdoor painting exhibitions, demonstrations and artist talks.
The first of its kind in Western Australia, more than 100 local and visiting artists will vie for almost $5000 in awards and prizes.
The weekend will begin at 10am on Saturday, September 28 at the Mandurah Ocean Marina, Keith Holmes Reserve and the Lido area with Fuller to perform a demonstration from 4pm at Dolphin Quay.
Day two will get underway from 9am with a demonstration from Leon Holmes on the Eastern Foreshore followed by interactive art activities and painting around the area all day.
On day three, there will be a two-hour painting competition from 10am-12pm in Mandjar Square. A fun, high energy event that sees artists compete against each other and the clock, registrations are still open to take part until 9.30am on the day.
After the competition, the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre foyer will transform into a hub of live music, a painting demonstration by Jos Coufreur and gala awards presentation and exhibition, with works up for sale, hosted by Mandurah MP David Templeman.
Organiser Barb Thoms said there was a certain joy to painting outdoors.
"This festival celebrates everything to do with outdoor painting, or as the French would say, 'en plein air'," she said.
"Whether you are an artist, art enthusiast or art collector - this festival has something for everyone."
For more information about any of the upcoming events, or to take part in the Plein Air Down Under painting festival, visit the website.
