Rain or shine, artists will take to the streets in the fifth annual Palouse Plein Air. Using paint outside is the main criteria in this otherwise open-ended competition in which artists are allowed to paint anywhere within a 30 mile radius of Moscow.

Plein Air, a French term used to describe painting outside, is a competition that runs Sept. 10 to 19. Contestants can register on-site, but must be at least 18 years old and pay a $20 participation fee. Artists can submit a maximum of three paintings and are encouraged to paint at the Farmer’s Market on Sept. 13, in outdoor urban areas Sept. 16, and rural settings Sept. 18.

Andy Sewell, an artist who studied at the University of Idaho, was one of the Plein Air winners from last year. Sewell works with both oil and water colors, and although he said he prefers to work on larger projects in studio he appreciates the obstacles involved with painting outside.

“It’s really challenging,” Sewell said. “I feel like if I do a successful plein air it’s a huge bonus for me.”

Sewell will participate in Palouse Plein Air again this year. He said he rarely gets to work outside and is excited to tackle the trials of painting the outdoors.

“You’re just painting from life,” he said. “There’s no shortcuts, it’s not very forgiving.”

Another winner from last year’s competition, Claire Remsberg, said she plans on participating again this year despite the trials of painting plein air.

“I like the challenge, it gets me outside,” she said. “It gets me looking at things a different way.”

Often lighting, traffic or weather inhibits plein air painters from working where they initially intended. Remsberg said finding a scene to paint is like “tuning the radio until you find a song that feels right.”

“To go out and not know where you’re going,” Remsberg said, “it’s a nice little adventure.”

Remsberg said she experiments with oil paint on various surfaces, and because of the time constraint of being outside, plein air forces her to be less of a perfectionist in her work.

In addition to the themed painting days, a Quick Draw competition will be held Sept. 13 at the Moscow Farmer’s Market. Participants only have an hour and half beginning at 8:30 a.m. to complete their painting. The artwork will then be on display at the market from 10-11 a.m. when the public can vote for a favorite.

Dana Aldis, a self-described fine artist, is judging Plein Air this year. She has a BFA in fine arts from the Corcoran College of Art and Design as well as an MFA from the New York Academy of Art. Aldis is a regular participant in the annual outside painting events. She first competed in the Plein Air competition in 2011 and won first place. Aldis said she is familiar with the challenges contestants face.

“I make plenty of mistakes, my paintings and supplies can get blown over or rained on, but it is fun,” she said.

It’s impossible to really judge someone’s artistic vision, she said, but her personal experience allows her to evaluate artists’ work based on the elements, materials and techniques used.

“It’s not just about technique,” Aldis said. “It’s about how the artist has used the technique to capture a moment.”

The judging will take place Sept. 19 at the Third Street Gallery in Moscow, where the artwork will be on display until Oct. 17. Along with recognition, the first, second and third place winners receive a cash prize.

The Plein Air artist reception will be at 5 p.m. on Sept. 19 in the gallery, and the event is free and open to the public.