3-Day Workshop: Painting Plein Air to Studio

With a special focus on nocturnal painting, this workshop is designed for those who want to try something fun and different!

We’ll meet that Friday evening at Art on 30th to discuss the process of plein air painting, as well as the joy and challenge of nocturnal painting.

On Saturday, we’ll meet on location for two very different plein air painting sessions: one in the morning and one in the evening.

On Sunday, we will reconvene at Art on 30th to critique the previous day’s work and also to translate the plein air studies into a larger studio painting.

Supply List: (get 10% off individual items when you buy from Artist & Craftsman)

Plein Air Painting Equipment

A variety of choices are available for painting outdoors, including:

• Pochade Box and Tripod - Open Box M, Guerilla Box, Easy L
• Half French Easel - Mabef or Julian or Soltek Easel

Palette: Either wood with a patina finish, or tempered glass (our preference)

For carrying wet paintings:

Panel Pack, Open Box M and others offer boxes that carry wet paintings

Oil Paints: Windsor & Newton makes a series called Winton which are less expensive student grade paints. Other good choices include Holbein, Grumbacher, DaVinci, or Gamblin

We recommend a limited palette:
Ultramarine blue / Alizarin Crimson / Cadmium Red Light / Cadmium Yellow Light White

If you want to add more colors, may we suggest:

Cobalt blue / Cerulean / Oxide of Chrome / Viridian / Cadmium Orange / Yellow Ochre

Canvas: 

• For Saturday, please bring at least two 8 x 10 or 9 x 12 Canvas boards
• For Sunday, please bring a larger canvas, such as 14 x 18, 16 x 20, or 18 x 24 (no larger)

Brushes: 

• Stiff synthetic or natural bristle work well.
• Flats: #2, #4, #6, #8, #10 and Rounds: small, like a #2

Other supplies:

• At lease one palette knife (you can find inexpensive sets of palette knives)
• Mineral Spirits and a brush washer and/or palette cup
• Viewfinder
• Camera
• Sketchbook and pens/pencils
• Paper towels (blue shop towels from the hardware store work well / rags
• Color shaper - similar to a brush, but with a rubber tip - for removing paint from surface
• Paint scraper (from the hardware store)

For daytime: (optional) Umbrella with clamp

For nocturnal painting: A portable booklight / reading lamp (Mandatory)
Be sure it has a clamp and will be sufficient to light up your canvas and palette 

You and your equipment need to be portable. 
Use a backpack or bag/suitcase with wheels.

Workshop Itinerary:

Session 1
Friday, Sept. 14, 2018: 6 pm - 8 pm Evening Introduction
Location: Art on 30th
Meet and Greet
How and Why of Plein air
Preparing for nocturnal painting
“Happy Hour” wine and cheese

Session 2
Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 9 am - 12 pm Plein Air
Location: To be determine
Plein air painting session
Demo and coaching
mid-day break

Session 3
Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 6 pm - 9 pm Nocturnal Plein Air
Location: Balboa Park
Nocturnal Plein air painting session
Demo and coaching

Session 4
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018: 9 am - 12 pm Critique/Plein Air to Studio
Location: Art on 30th
Critique of Plein air work from previous day
Painting larger Studio works from plein air studies
12 - 1 Lunch

Session 5
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 1 pm - 3 pm Open Studio
Location: Art on 30th
Continue work on Studio paintings
Final critique

Note:

• Please wear a hat. Bring sunscreen and water.
• It’s advisable to have extra layers in case of weather change.
• Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for walking and standing.
• Some artists like to wear latex gloves.
• Neutral colored clothing won’t bounce and reflect on canvas. Avoid bright colors.
• Remember to bring your booklight on Saturday night!
• Previous experience painting in oils recommended.
• Students are encouraged to bring a drink and snacks.
• Student parking available in back lot.