Join me in the gorgeous 'Lost Sierra' of Northern California! The exact location of this event will be announced soon (snow levels depending, it will likely be held at Sardine Lake). In this one-day course, we will explore the pure joy and inherent challenge of painting outdoors. It’s not easy, but it’s always worth it! We will consider composition, value, color, and how to create dynamic, interesting paintings on location. There will be a morning demonstration, followed by an opportunity to paint. This is a short workshop, and we will cover a lot of material. Come prepared to paint with a portable easel, odorless solvents, and outdoor clothes.
Skill Level: All levels are welcome
Medium: Oil (you will get the most out of this workshop if you use oils, but acrylic, pastels and watercolor are admissible) see supply list below.
Supply List:
Blick Art Supplies
For an easy list of recommended supplies, go to my Blick U List:
https://www.dickblick.com/myaccount/blicku/J2R55ULBM2XYJ/?new=y
Visual Resources:
In case of inclement weather, bring 3 photos or iPad photo (larger screen than a phone) with a landscape photo that has a foreground, middle ground and background. Feel free to email me ideas if you need feedback on your choices.
Paints:
Any professional-grade will do. Avoid “hues,” as these are less concentrated pigment.
Titanium White (large tube)
Cadmium Yellow Light
Yellow Ochre Gold (or regular Yellow Ochre)
Cobalt Blue or Ultramarine Blue
Cadmium Red (or Permanent Red Medium)
Alizarin Crimson (make sure it’s “Permanent”)
Cadmium Orange
Viridian Green
Painting Surface:
Watercolor paper pad (for watercolor/acrylic paint) or Arches oil paper, size no larger than 12 x 16 inches, at least 10 sheets of paper (total). We will use these for color studies and exercises. Canvas or hardboard scraps also work well.
2-4 canvas/linen panels OR primed or gessoed hardboard panels (such as Gessoboard). I prefer Centurion Oil Primed Deluxe Linen panels, available through Jerry’s Artarama. Stretched canvas not recommended. Keep sizes between 8×10 and 12×16.
Mixing Color:
Palette (can be 11x14 size plexiglass or Palette Paper). Most portable easels have a palette included in the set-up
Palette knife for mixing paint
Sketching/Planning
This VERY important part of our practice is going to be step one on every painting we do. It must be free of lines, preferably spiral-bound, and not too big (5x7 or so).
Pencil or charcoal pencil
Viewfinder
Brushes
Flats, Brights, or Filberts are recommended for the majority of the work. Have a good range of sizes: 2,4,6,8
Paper Towels – thick blue mechanics paper towels or Viva
Solvent – Odorless Turpenoid, odorless mineral spirits. Gamsol, or Spike of Lavender
Wet Canvas Carrier
RayMar panel carrier, for example
Pizza boxes work too
Lightweight Easel
I recommend a Field Easel or Pochade box (The Prolific Easel, Strada, Open Box M, Guerrilla Painter, Soltek, etc.) or a Julian French Easel.
Outdoor essentials – Drinking Water! And a sun hat!
Additional Items to Consider
Backpack
Folding Chair
Trash bags
Dark/Neutral-Colored Clothing (bright colors reflect)
Dress in Layers
Sunscreen
Hand Cleaner (Fast Orange or baby oil)
Insect Repellant
White acid-free tape for blocking off areas to paint on paper
NB: If you wear glasses, be sure to have non-tinted glasses available. It is very difficult to see values and be correct in your paintings if you have sunglasses on. A wide-brimmed hat will suffice to protect your eyes.
Suggested Reading/Coursework
Plein Air Techniques for Artists by Aimee Erickson
Painting Oils by Louise DeMore (great book for beginning oil painters)
Orchestrated Color Workshop by Skip Whitcomb through the Tucson Art Academy
You may also like the following events from Chula Beauregard Fine Art:
Also check out other
Arts events in Quincy,
Workshops in Quincy,
Fine Arts events in Quincy.
