The First Outings of the New Betws-y-Coed Outdoor Painters Group
The recent “Ysbridloi gan Eryri – Inspired by Snowdonia” art competition and exhibition, brought together talented local artists and revived a 19th-century tradition in Betws-y-Coed.
Plein air is a French term that means “open air” and refers to the practice of painting outdoors, directly from the landscape or scene, rather than in a studio. The practice became especially popular in the 19th century, with the advent of portable easels and paints, allowing artists like Turner and David Cox Jnr a to venture into nature and paint scenes on location.
Before the railway reached Betws-y-Coed it was still relatively remote, and artists traveled here to escape urban life and embrace the wilderness. The Betws-y-Coed Artists’ Colony which formed at the Royal Oak Hotel became a meeting place for painters to experiment with new techniques and share ideas in a supportive, scenic setting, making it a significant part of Welsh art history.
One of the key goals of the Art Competition & Exhibition in October was to lay the foundation for a new artists group, and the event’s success has recently led to the first outings happening in & around Betws-y-Coed.
Why Plein Air?
Working outdoors encourages spontaneity and allows artists to capture natural light, colours, and atmosphere that can shift minute by minute, creating a sense of urgency and vibrancy in their work. The Group’s first outing on a misty autumn morning was along the Afon Llugwy. The excitment & comeraderie that morning was infectious, even when it started raining, no drama just brollies up!
Visitors to the village were also intrigued as they walked the riverside to see the group set up their easels and set out their painting paraphenalia, and fascinating conversations were held with curious passersby.
A Welcoming Community
Seasoned artists shared techniques with newcomers, and the camaraderie that forms while painting side-by-side showed up in the work – a natural joy of capturing the spirit of the landscape in real-time. The second outing was to Capel Curig and the Pinnacles walk looking back at the iconic horseshoe of the Yr Wyddfa massif and the outline of Siabod as it stands proudly alone in the Eryri landscape. Luckily the weather gods were on the side of the creatives and gorgeous blue skies dominated the colour themes for the day!
What’s Next?
The Group hope to set up two painting sessions a month, weather permitting! If you happen to chance upon them in the surrounds of Betws y Coed do wander over to say hello & perhaps pick up a tip or two.
The Group will be exhibiting from March 2025 at Y Stablau – showcasing one artists work per month through the year with a summer exhibition planned for August and a Winter show in December – looks to be a very creative year!