Join painter Mary Jane Ward for a one day workshop on plein air painting as we study the limited colors and shifting light of the late summer landscape. Working on location at the Scioto Gardens, students will learn techniques for working quickly, simplifying complex scenes, mixing harmonious palettes directly from observation.
Plein air painting presents challenges, with inherently changing light and weather conditions, yet those very challenges can provide artists with the potential to awaken our energy, inspiration, and attention to the present moment. How we balance those inspirations and observations with our technical painting process is an ongoing journey of painting en plein air.
Students will watch a demonstration and get one on one feedback as they work alongside the instructor to practice translating their own observations of nature into the language of color, value and shapes. This workshop is designed for painters of all experience levels looking to deepen their connection to nature while developing confidence and sensitivity in outdoor painting.
Demonstration will be in oils. Students are welcome to work in their preferred medium--drawing or painting.
Supply Lists
Students bring their own supplies. Use these lists as recommendations, not requirements, to help you make sure you have what you need. If you use different supplies, that is fine! Please bring what you are comfortable using. There will be chairs and folding tables and a canopy for shade at the Scioto Gardens.
General Supplies
SUMMER
Wear a hat with a brim. Consider the weather, and dress in layers. When painting outdoors, temperatures can shift--it can be warmer or cooler than you expect. As a general rule, it is easier to take a layer off if you are too warm than trying to concentrate on painting if you are too cold! Also consider bringing a water bottle and a snack to keep your energy up. Wear sunscreen and insect repellant.
Plein Air Supplies for oil painting
- travel easel / pochade box with tripod
- brushes
- rags/paper towels
- solvent in a jar with a lid
- panels (it can be nice to bring a few sizes so you can have options to work with) 5" x 7", 6" x 8", 8" x 10", 9" x 12" - whatever you would like to work on in the three hours
- oil colors (see list below)
Oil colors list (these are just suggestions, please feel free to work with what you have)
- Titanium White
- Cadmium Yellow Medium
- Yellow Ochre
- Raw Sienna
- Burnt Sienna
- Cadmium Red (or Napthol Red)
- Alizarin Crimson
- Raw Umber
- Sap Green
- Viridian
- Ultramarine Blue
- Kings Blue Deep (Michael Harding)
- Paynes Gray
- Ivory Black
Plein Air Supplies for drawing
- pencils, erasers, charcoal, etc.
- drawing board
- lightweight travel easel
- paper (toned paper can be nice to cut down on glare)
- Tape or clips to attach your paper to drawing board, or keep it really simple and just bring a sketch book to hold in your lap!
