Plein Air Painting

Paintings of the Montafon Region

River Ill in late August, 2026

I wanted to try to film a plein air painting session by myself, using my gopro hero 10 that was just lying around.

The video footage came out really good. Unfortunately it didn't take me long to enter into flow state while painting and I totally forgot to film the process. I wouldn't have uploaded the video, if I wasn't so pleased with the endresult.

I just needed to share it with you, because I think I've reached another level in skill. So thrilled! I will come back to this spot though and film the process for you guys. It isn't far from where I live anyways. :)

Ochsentaler Glacier - View from Wiesbadener Hütte, 2026

The final part of the Silvretta Plein Air Painting Series is up!

Creating this series put us before many challenges. Physically but also mentally. Nevertheless we had a blast doing so and we overcame every obstacle in the process.

Just for an example. We climbed more than 400 m in altitude difference while walking from the Silvretta Stausee (2030 m) through the Ochsental to the Wiesbadener Hütte (2443 m). With our two toddlers. One in hand and the other in the stroller. Many parts of the path were very steep. Especially towards the end.

That painting you see in this video was painted after about two hours rest at the Wiesbadener Hütte. Gladly one can't tell the physical exhaustion in the video. But the sweat stains on the t-shirt tell the story haha.

We were so happy to have met Marko and his Wife Petra up there. The hosts of the Wiesbadener Hütte. Who were so kind to give us the last available room to stay for the night. If you're reading this, you guys are awesome! Much love to you both and to the whole team!

This trip has been the crowning event to this series and it couldn't have been any better. Also the audio finally worked in our favour. I'm so excited to present this video to you guys. I think it is the best one so far.

Lobspitzen - View from Vermuntsee, 2026

The third part of my Silvretta Series is here!

A four part Plein Air Painting Series, where I paint prominent peaks and mountainviews from the Silvretta Region in Montafon.

This time we spent three days in a row there. We had a lovely stay at the "Berggasthof Piz Buin" (2032 m) on the first night and on the second night at the "Wiesbadener Hütte" (2443 m).

We had such a good time and the view was amazing as always. I can't get enough of this place. The rawness of this alpine landscape is just awe inspiring and quite humbling. Getting to behold and paint such beauty is a blessing in of itself.

I wish I could take you guys with me in person. A video just doesn't do it justice. But I try my best to give you a taste of it.

Madlener Spitze - Silvretta Series Part 2 - Bielerhöhe, Montafon

Part 2 of my Silvretta Series is up and it's been a wild ride filming this.

This was, as at many other times a family trip. And my kids didn't want to play along like we would have liked them to :) My son didn't want to leave the frame and was quite busy playing the second camera guy, as you can see in the video. It was fun to watch but also very stressful, because time was short.

We had two small windows of sunshine between thunderstorms and rain and had to pack things up mid painting.

My wife is quite a magician when it comes to editing videos, so you won't notice it at all, thanks to her skills. Also soundwise she really pulled all the tricks to get rid of the background noices.

We met a few lovely people who left encouraging comments along the way, which is awesome. All in all it's been an adventures day and the kids had a lot of fun. Next week we will be up there for two days, filming the last two parts. Looking forward to it. Hopefully I'll get to capture the evening mood up there for you guys. It's a sight to behold.

Piz Buin - Silvretta Series Part 1 Bielerhöhe, Montafon 2026

Piz Buin - Bielerhöhe, Montafon 2026

this is the first video of a four part painting series about the Silvretta Mountains in Montafon.

It has been such a long time, since the last plein air painting session. It's great to be back outdoors again. This time we went to paint Piz Buin. I've painted this one once already, but I can't get enough of this mountain range. It 's just majestic in appearance and awe inspiring.

I had so much fun painting this one and I've met a lot of nice people who were very supportive in their comments. Everytime I'm up here on Silvretta Bielerhöhe, in Montafon, Austria, I leave with such an uplifted spirit, that I can't wait for the next occasion to go there again.

Give it a visit if you get the chance. You won't regret a second of it. Quite the opposite. It's an experience that you don't want to miss. Especially when it's such a lovely day like we had. I hope you get a glimpse of it in this video and the other three upcoming ones. Enjoy the view!

Balbier Waterfall - Gortipohl, Montafon 2026

Today I have a special plein air video for you guys.

I got the chance to paint the wonderful Balbier Waterfall in Gortipohl, Montafon.

What an amazing sight to behold. I hope you'll enjoy the painting process on this one. I certainly did.

Montjola Weiher

Thüringen, Vorarlberg 2026

Montjola Weiher - Thüringen, Vorarlberg 2026

after a long time waiting for a day in which it was bearable to paint outside, we finally got to paint the picturesque lake "Montjola Weiher" in Thüringen, Vorarlberg.

We were lucky to catch a day where there weren't as many visitors as on other days. So you can enjoy some lovely nature sounds again.

It wasn't as cold as last time that we tried to paint on that spot. But close to the end of the two hour session I started freezing again and my toes resembled ice cubes more than anything else.

River “Ill” in Autumn

Tschagguns, Montafon, 2025

River “Ill” in Autumn - Tschagguns, Montafon, 2025

As the mountain railways are beginning to close down their operation to transition to winter season, I had to look for another subject to paint. Luckily, not far from where I live, a beautiful river is located. The so called "Ill". It originates at the glaciers of Piz Buin and ends in the River "Rhein".

We walked along the River for about 15 min to find the perfect spot for the day. At first we even had sunshine and it was kind of warm. But mid painting session it became so cold that I've started shivering. It's a wonder that I was able to keep my brush under control.

Unfortunately I had to rush through the Plants and Trees. I couldn't take it any longer. This is probably the reason why I was able to finish the painting in about 1 hour and 45 min. New personal Record! haha

Nevertheless, I think it turned out quite nicely.

Zimba

View from Fritzensee, Bartholomäberg, 2025

Zimba - View from Fritzensee, Bartholomäberg, 2025

This time we journeyed to Fritzensee on Bartholomäberg in Montafon.

From there you have a beautiful view of the Zimba, 2643 m with the small but lovely Fritzensee in the forefront and charming traditional cabins.

The Painting took me again about two hours to complete. Taking more time almost doesn't make any sense, because things are shifting so quickly that you stand in front of a totally different scene hour by hour. I find two hours is about the sweetspot. Depending on atmospheric conditions.

That is the challenge of plein air painting, but also one thing that makes it so much fun. There is lots to learn from it. It might be intimidating at first, but I'd recommend it to everyone who wants to further their painting and observational skills.

If you're wondering about the weird imprimatura layer. It's the result of scraping away an old painting that I wasn't satisfied with. I knew I could do better and just erased it from existence.

Sometimes you have to take drastic measures to move on in Life. No growth without loss.

Vallüla

View from Nova, 2025

Vallüla - View from Nova, 2025

I finally got to go on another painting trip. This time, we went to Gaschurn and up to the mountain “Nova” with the "Versettla Bahn". From there we had an awesome view of that days subject, Vallüla, 2813 m.

Another very interesting mountain to paint. I couldn't have hoped for a better spot than the one I found that day. It provided me with a few layers inbetween me and the peak. Every layer gifting me it's beautiful color variations which made for a gorgeous play of color contrast in hue and temperature. The three small trees in the front were the icing on the cake, perfectly situated in the composition as well.

What a wonderful day that was. Topped only by having my son and wife with me. My wife is the one who films me on these trips and also edits the videos afterwards. She is such a huge blessing and a great help. My son, who turned two last month, accompanied us for the fourth time this day.

He's such a patient fellow. But he was so active around us, that painting and filming was quite the challenge haha.

Piz Buin

View from Ochsental, Silvretta, 2025

Piz Buin - View from Ochsental, Silvretta 2025

For my last painting of this summer vacation, I got to paint the truly majestic Piz Buin (3312 m).

The highest peak of the Silvretta Mountain Range and the highest peak of Vorarlberg. What a magnificent motive!

It's been so much fun to paint that Scene and I got to meet a few lovely people. I will certainly make my way up there again. Unfortunately it's so expensive.

I can see some improvement in my technique after all of these painting sessions in the outdoors. Love that! :) This alone makes it all worth it. The effort, the time, the money, I'd say was well spent.

Mittagsjoch

View from Kristberg, 2025

Mittagsjoch - View from Wildried, Kristberg, 2025

Plein Air Painting Process of "Mittagsjoch" (2362 m) viewed from Wildried, Kristberg.

On that day I've been gifted with an incredibly picturesque scene.

The characteristic Mittagsjoch framed by a wall of trees and the gorgeous uphill moor in the front, with it's colorful grasses and plants.

The Wildried moor is one of the highest uphill moors of all of europe and one of the last. It is a sight to behold, if you get the chance to visit the Kristberg in Silbertal.

Drei Türme

View from Tobelsee, 2025

Drei Türme - View from Tobelsee, 2025

Let me share with you an amazing day that I had, painting the "Drei Türme (2830 m) again.

This time, from the incredible Tobelsee, in Montafon. If you ever visit this Region, I highly recommend you go up there. The View is breathtakingly beautiful.

Getting to paint at such places humbles me to the core. I'm so grateful to live here.

The painting took me about three hours this time. I had some struggles here and there. Especially with getting a really bad sunburn. But I enjoyed every minute of that painting session. Plein Air Painting could be my new passion. I got a lot to learn still though haha.

Madrisa

View from Gargellen, 2025

Madrisa - View from Gargellen, 2025

Plein Air Painting Process Video of "Madrisa" (2770 m), from Gargellen in Montafon.

That mountain intrigued me with it's unique shape, rugged appearance and small plateaus. The composition is quite unusual, but I wanted to highlight the mountains structure.

Lünerseealpe

View from Lünersee, 2025

Lünerseealpe - View from Lünersee, 2025

Another day another plein air painting.

This time, I've visited the beautiful "Lünersee", (ca 1970 m) to paint the "Lünersee Alpe".

In my opinion, this was the most interesting subject to paint up there. At least I thought so that day.

This time, it took me twice as long to finish the painting. Not only because the subject matter was difficult to get right. But also because of the many tourists that came up close to take a look. That is absolutely fine to do. But it made me so nervous, that I couldn't concentrate properly. The struggles you have as an introvert haha. They gave me some nice comments though, which was very encouraging to hear. so feel free to take a peak, when you see me up there! Just don't break my focus, please! :)

Drei Türme

View from Golm, 2025

Drei Türme - View from Golm, 2025

A Video from my second Plein Air Trip to Golm in Montafon.

I got to paint one of the most beautiful mountain ranges of Montafon. The so called "drei Türme" (three towers) the greatest peak of the three is 2830 m high. I had such a blast painting this mountain trio. Although it's been freezing cold for end of summer.

I painted for two hours, from 11:27 am to 1:30 pm. Even though it was midday, the clouds created an interesting scene and lighting condition. I really enjoyed the process and I’m pleased with the final result. Compared to the last one, it's also a big step in progress, skill wise. I've tried to apply what i've learned from the last trip and it paid off.

Zimba

View from Bürserberg, 2025

Zimba - View from Bürserberg, 2025

Two Hour Plein Air Painting Session on Bürserberg, painting the famous "Zimba" (2643m high). It belongs to Vandans in Montafon, but gets falsely acredited to Brand.

It's hard to get the colors right, out in the open. Because things change a lot. The light changes non stop, which then affects the color, temperature and value of everything that you're looking at. That's why I painted as fast and loosely as I possibly could.