Three Days of Light, Paint and Prize – Dublin Plein Air Festival

The Dublin Plein Air Festival ran for seven days this year, but I joined in for three – Balbriggan, Ardgillan Castle, and Malahide – and what a gorgeous, inspiring trio of days it was. Each location had its own rhythm, colour, and charm, and I came home paint-smudged and full of ideas.

The weather kept us guessing – sunshine one moment, moody skies the next – but that’s part of the joy. You turn up, take it all in, and let the painting unfold. There’s a lovely honesty in that kind of work.

Balbriggan kicked things off, and I was delighted to receive First Prize of the Day there. A lovely surprise, and a real boost to start the week.

At Ardgillan Castle, I gave a watercolour workshop. Teaching outdoors is always a bit of an adventure, but this one came with an extra twist – an easel that simply refused to stay up. Still, we made it work, laughed through the wobbles, and the group produced some beautiful work. Later on, I stepped into judging mode to help award First and Second Prize of the Day.

Malahide was my final stop. I painted two pieces there – Stone and Bloom, in the walled garden, and The Green Edge, near the pond. Stone and Bloom was a quiet scene with a rose-covered stone doorway and a soft path leading in. I first spotted it in the rain and returned when the sun came out. It became my favourite of the week. The Green Edge was all about textures and layers – reeds, grasses, water, and reflections, all shifting and overlapping in the light. A calm but complex kind of view.

The day, and my time at the festival, ended with another bout of rain. Usually, there’s a lovely closing speech from Paul D’Arcy – the organiser and a brilliant artist himself – but the weather got in the way this time. I always enjoy that final moment, the round of thanks and the sense of wrapping things up together. It was missed, but the sky had other plans.

Even just three days in, I left feeling creatively recharged. There’s something about painting shoulder to shoulder with other artists, sharing the light, the stories, giving each other feedback – it stays with you.

Thanks for following along – more soon from the studio.