Small and Simple: Plein Aire Painting Fundamentals
Workshop | This program is completed
Learn how to interpret nature in terms of paint, using light and color to create form. The aim of this workshop is to teach you to think, see, and express light and form. Color relationships, design/composition, simplifying, and the benefits of painting outdoors will be discussed. We will focus on values, shapes, edges and color as they relate to painting, working wet-into-wet to complete a painting in one session. Exercises include creating small 6x8 color sketches, where students will paint color block-ins and value studies prior to working with their larger canvases. The workshop is for all levels of painters who want to learn the time-honored joy of plein aire painting.
- Daily demonstrations
- One-on-one instruction
- NOTE: In case of inclement weather, students should bring with them several reference photographs of landscapes.
- Brushes: Hog bristol brushes are ideal for oil painting (Winsor Newton’s ‘Winton’ economy brushes and ‘Princeton’ brushes have great prices) ‘Robert Simmons Signet Brushes’ are good quality brushes with reasonable prices. Sizes: #3 filbert; #6 filbert; #4 flat (or bright); #6 flat (or bright); #8 flat (or bright); #10 flat ; several rounds (from small to medium size); liner (also called rigger) for fine lines and small details (optional)
- Painting Materials and Accessories: French easel or pochade box with palette. Many artists use a French-Box easel. Julian easels are probably the best made. Another option is a Pochade Box Easel (http://guerrillapainter.com/). It’s quite sturdy and has compartments to carry paint tubes as well as small painting accessories. They set up on a camera tripod and are nicely portable. Open Box M (www.openboxM.com) makes the classic pochade, although a little on the pricey side. Artwork Essentials (http://www.artworkessentials.com/index.htm) also carries wonderful pochade boxes at reasonable prices.Coulter Plein Air System is light, portable, affordable and set up is quick and simple. I highly recommended it!! (http://artboxandpanel.com/about)
- NOTE: please be aware certain brands of easel take up to two weeks for deliver so order with enough time to receive before workshop begins!
- Palette: Either wood with a nice patina or a glass palette work well (plexiglass works too, it just wears out faster.)
- Palette knife (for painting, mixing paint, cleaning palette)
- Paint scraper (available in most hardware stores)
- View finder (‘Artwork Essentials’ carries these) NOTE: will provide view finders in class if you do not have one available.
- Small sketchbook, 2B pencils, eraser (for sketching)
- Grey markers: light, medium and dark shade (warm grey) for value comp thumbnails
- Turpentine jar/brush washer (for cleaning brushes). NOTE: I recommend using ‘Gamsol’ mineral spirits
- Medium (linseed oil – optional)
- 1/2 inch masking tape (to separate 9x12 panels into quarters)
- Paper towels/wet wipes
- Small/Medium sized trash bags (for used paper towels and trash)
- Umbrella: to shade palette and artist (preferable one that attaches to easel). You can find a variety of painting umbrellas at ‘Judsons Art Outfitters’: http://judsonsart.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=50
- or ‘Artwork Essentials’: http://www.artworkessentials.com/products/UMK_40/UMK40.htm
- Latex or Nitrile gloves (handy if you are allergic or sensitive to solvents) (optional)
- Wet panel carrier (to store/carry wet paintings – optional)
- You’ll want boxes to store your wet paintings in. You can get nice wood panel holders, but they are expensive. A cheaper option is at www.raymarart.com. They make boxes from corrugated plastic (something to carry your wet paintings in)
- digital camera
- Wide brim hat/ bug spray/bottled water
- Some landscape photos in case of rain (please, no magazine pictures)
- Notebook/ball point pen (for note-taking in class)
- Canvas Panels: I generally use 6x8”, 9x7” and 8x10” sized panels/canvas boards for my plein airs. Make sure to have plenty of panels for the duration of the workshop. NOTE: 9x12” panels can also be used to split into 4 parts (quarter the panel) using 1/2 inch masking tape (for small value and color comps)
- RayMar makes quality linen panels. If you don’t want to go the linen route, I’d suggest ordering the smooth cotton panels from RayMar.
- Fredrix brand also carries economy canvas panels if you are on a budget. http://www.rexart.com/fredrix_archival_canvas_boards.html
- Blick Art Materials also carry some wonderful canvas panels at economic prices:
- http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-canvas-panels/
- main web site: http://www.dickblick.com/
- Another source of quality panels is at www.canvaspanels.com.
- Paints: For this workshop, we will use a limited palette. Listed are the colors we’ll use for the workshop: Titanium White; Cadmium Yellow Medium; Yellow Ochre; Indian Yellow ; Cadmium Red Light; Thalo Red Rose ; Alizarin Crimson; Ultramarine Blue; Ivory Black (NOTE: used w/white for grey scale value studies)
- NOTE: I prefer to use Gamblin or Grumbacher brand for paints, however, I recommend economy brands (Winton student grade) for the workshop.
- Also check with your local art store (most brands carry ‘student grade ‘ paints)
- NOTE: make sure to bring neutral colored, warm-weather clothing (bright colors tend to bounce and reflect on canvas) wear comfortable tennis /hiking shoes (no flip flops please – for safety reasons) bring sweater or light jacket/rain gear in case of extreme weather change during painting session.
- Links for Art Supply Stores:
- Here are some links to web sites that offer plein air equipment and painting accessories:
- ‘Artwork Essentials’
- http://www.artworkessentials.com
- ‘Judson Outfitters’
- http://www.pochade.com
- 'Dick Blick Art Materials'
- http://www.dickblick.com
- ‘Cheap Joe’s Art Supplies’
- http://www.cheapjoes.com/
- ‘Art Supply Warehouse’
- http://www.aswexpress.com/
- ‘Pearl Art Supply’
- http://www.pearlpaint.com/
Jennifer McChristian
Jennifer McChristian was born in Montreal, Canada and moved to California in 1986. She earned a BFA from Otis Art Institute in 1990. Jennifer worked full-time as an animation artist at various studios throughout Los Angeles and served in the military service for five years, while continuing to pursue her artistic aspirations. She also studied with Robert Blue, Karl Dempwolf, Scott Burdick and Steve Huston. Jennifer currently paints full-time and is dedicated to a lifelong pursuit of creative evolution and exploration.