Spring Acrylic Class: Plein Air Painting Program

4-Week Outdoor Painting Program · 2.5 hours per sessionDates: April 18, 25, Mayo 2, 9Time: 10:30 am to 1 pmPrice: CAD 150.00

This intermediate program invites participants to step outside the classroom and work directly from life in the vibrant urban environment around Bank Street, Ottawa. Instead of traditional landscapes, participants will explore storefronts, architecture, reflections, shadows, and street movement as subjects for expressive acrylic painting.

Painting en plein air in the city requires observation, simplification, and confident decision-making. Participants will learn how to translate complex urban scenes into strong compositions using bold shapes, values, colour temperature, and expressive brushwork.

This course is designed for artists ready to move beyond controlled studio work and develop confidence painting on location.

Focus: simplifying architecture into large shapes and value masses.

Participants will learn how to:

• Select and crop an urban scene
• Create quick value thumbnails (light, mid, dark)
• Use a warm underpainting
• Block in buildings and storefronts without details
• Paint using masses instead of lines

Main study: a storefront façade.

Week 2 — Light, Shadows & Reflections

Focus: painting glass, reflections, and strong urban shadows.

Participants will learn how to:

• Observe and paint reflections in windows
• Capture dramatic light and shadow contrasts
• Use dry brush techniques for urban textures
• Hold on to the initial light impression without chasing changes

Main study: storefront with windows and reflections.

Week 3 — Creating Depth in the Street

Focus: urban perspective and spatial depth.

Participants will learn how to:

• Use receding lines to create perspective
• Organize foreground, middle ground, and background
• Increase depth using contrast and colour intensity
• Incorporate urban elements such as posts, bikes, and signs for composition

Week 4 — Movement, People & Expressive Finish

Focus: capturing life and movement with confidence.

Participants will learn how to:

• Suggest people by using loose, simple shapes
• Capture movement without detail
• Add final highlights for impact
• Step back, evaluate, and know when to stop

Main study: an expressive urban street scene.

Techniques Covered Throughout the Program

• Underpainting
• Blocking-in
• Value studies
• Colour temperature control
• Dry brush texture
• Urban perspective
• Expressive brushwork
• Finishing highlights

Who is this program for?

This program is designed for intermediate acrylic artists who are ready to challenge themselves painting outdoors in a dynamic urban setting.

Participants should feel comfortable:

• Mixing their own colours
• Working without detailed preliminary drawings
• Painting confidently using large shapes, values, and bold brushwork

Urban plein air requires quick decision-making and observation skills, making this an ideal next step for artists looking to grow beyond studio practice.

Diana Quilarque is a dedicated visual artist with over 26 years of experience in oil, watercolour, and acrylic painting. Originally from Venezuela, she developed a deep appreciation for realism through detailed landscapes, still life, and portraits. After a 20-year hiatus, she rekindled her passion for painting, studying under renowned artist Lorne Winters from 2017 to 2023. During this time, she refined her techniques and expanded her artistic vision.

In recent years, Diana has also embraced acrylic painting, exploring texture, depth, and expressive mark-making both in studio and plein air settings. She incorporates dimensional techniques using modelling paste and layered applications to create tactile surfaces that enhance light, structure, and visual impact. Her work combines technical sensitivity with emotional expression, allowing her to capture atmosphere, presence, and movement across different media.

Drawn to watercolour’s fluidity and expressive nature, Diana allows the medium to guide moments of spontaneity and connection. She has exhibited her work in local art collectives and has contributed to multiple charity auctions. Passionate about teaching, she shares her expertise through workshops, guiding students of all levels to develop their skills, confidence, and artistic voices. Diana believes art is a transformative experience—one that fosters creativity, mindfulness, and connection.

MATERIALS NEEDED

What Participants Must Bring:
Participants are required to bring the following materials to each session:

• 1 sketchbook or mixed media pad (9 x 12 IN or similar)
• 4 canvas boards (9 x 12 IN or 11 x 14 IN recommended)
• Portable palette (stay-wet palette if possible)
• Water container with lid
• Apron or painting clothes

Students enrolled in our workshops and classes receive 10% off art supplies in-store during the duration of their course.

Also check out other Arts events in Ottawa, Fine Arts events in Ottawa, Workshops in Ottawa.