Welcome to Pochade.co.uk, your gateway to the world of plein air painting!

Here at Pochade.co.uk, we celebrate the freedom and immediacy of painting outdoors. The term "pochade," derived from the French word "poche" meaning pocket, refers to a small, portable sketch that captures the colors and atmosphere of a scene. Pochade boxes, with their built-in easels and storage for paints and brushes, emerged in the 19th century alongside the development of portable paint tubes. These ingenious devices revolutionized how artists worked, allowing them to leave their studios and paint "en plein air" – in the open air – directly from life.

This ability to capture the transient effects of light and atmosphere sparked a significant artistic movement. The rise of the plein air movement, popularized by French Impressionists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, transformed landscape painting by emphasizing direct observation and spontaneity. In recent years, this movement has seen a tremendous resurgence, with more artists embracing the joy of painting on location.

One such artist, Antony Bridge, embodies the spirit of plein air painting. As a highly accomplished, self-taught artist and the President of the UK Plein Air Society, Antony is renowned for his ability to paint in all weathers, capturing the essence of a location directly using his pochade box. His dedication to working directly from the subject has allowed him to develop a unique way of seeing and translating the landscape into his captivating works.

We invite you to explore our website and discover everything you need to embark on your own plein air adventures.