Thomas Kinkade is well known for his detailed studio works, but most of these works start out as a painted color sketch or water color. This is Thom's way of getting his ideas on canvas.

But often Thom sets up his easel and works for several hours on location and just simply paints. These large brush strokes create a work of impressionism that captures the location "as is" when Thom is hard at work in front his canvas and paints. He calls these paintings "Plein Air" which means "Open Air" because the finished art is done right out in the open.