Paintings | Thomas Michael Nieman Art | Pennsylvania based Painter
Learn to See. Learn to Paint. Learn to Love the Outdoors.
Whether you've never picked up a brush or you've been painting for years, there's a place for you here. Tom Nieman has spent decades studying the Pennsylvania landscape — and even longer figuring out how to teach others to truly see it.
"I believe painting outdoors is one of the most powerful ways to slow down, pay attention, and reconnect with the world around you. My goal isn't to make you paint like me — it's to help you find your own way of seeing."
— Tom Nieman, landscape painter, author, and instructor
Every offering below reflects that belief — whether you're starting with a free video course or joining me in the field for a guided paint out.
START HERE — FREE RESOURCES
Not sure where to begin? Start with these.
Free Course: Mini Mint Tin Plein Air Painting
12 videos · Available now on YouTube · No supplies needed to get started
Stop hauling heavy gear. This complete beginner-friendly course teaches you how to paint outdoors using nothing more than a pocket-sized kit — what Tom calls the "Pocket Studio." Over 12 videos, you'll learn how to set up, simplify a scene, and build a daily painting practice without the overwhelm.
→ Watch the free course on YouTube
Free Course: The Secret Behind Great Landscape Composition
Available now on YouTube
Composition is the invisible architecture of every great painting — and most artists never get a clear explanation of how it actually works. In this course, Tom breaks down the principles he uses in every landscape, so you can start making stronger design decisions from your very first brushstroke.
→ Watch the free course on YouTube
Free Download: The Plein Air Checklist
Everything you need before you head outside
Tom's practical, field-tested checklist covers gear, location scouting, lighting conditions, and setup — so you can spend less time figuring things out and more time painting. Free when you join the mailing list.
THE BOOK
Your field companion for painting the Pocono Mountains
Field Guide to Outdoor Painting in the Pocono Mountains
Self-published · Available on Amazon
This is the guide Tom wished he'd had when he started painting the Poconos. Covering oils, watercolor, and pastel, it walks you through the region's most paintable locations — complete with color images of finished plein air work painted on-site. Whether you're planning your first outdoor session or looking to discover new locations, this guide belongs in your kit bag.
AIRBNB EXPERIENCE
Paint outdoors — guided, social, and stress-free
Creative Visual Journaling Workshop
Hosted through Airbnb Experiences · Pocono Mountains, PA · $55 per person
No experience necessary. In this 90-minute outdoor workshop, Tom guides you through the fundamentals of creative visual journaling — observation, mark-making, and capturing a sense of place on the page. All materials included. Sessions run Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings, with small groups of up to 10.
This is the perfect introduction to painting outdoors for complete beginners, a memorable experience for visitors to the Poconos, and a low-pressure way to see if a deeper class is right for you.
In-Person Classes & Workshops
Pocono Mountains region · Various venues
There's nothing quite like painting in the same place as your host / instructor. Tom hosts in-person Plein Air Adventures throughout the year at venues across the Pocono Mountains region. All mediums ans experience levels are welcome to join outdoor plein air sessions. Class sizes are kept small to ensure individual attention.
NOT SURE WHERE TO START?
Tom will help you figure it out.
Every student comes in at a different place. If you're not sure which option is right for you — or you'd like to know what's coming up — drop your name and email in the form below and Tom will be in touch.
You'll also get the free Plein Air Checklist as a thank-you.
No spam. Just occasional updates on new courses, workshops, and painting sessions from the Poconos.
T
Tom Nieman is an award-winning Pennsylvania landscape painter, author of the Field Guide to Outdoor Painting in the Pocono Mountains, and the creator of Paint and Draw with Tom on YouTube. He has been teaching drawing and painting for years and is based in the Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania.
Instructional Focus
Drawing
Give you tools to render better shapes and better images.
Color
Help you use color to enhance your art.
Painting
Empower you to create a great paintings from start to finish.
Mindset
Prepare you to overcome creative resistance.