Plein-air painting

Saturdays 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

6 classes: $450

Starts November 9, 2024 (skips week of Thanksgiving)

Instructor: Jeff Markowsky

Prerequisites:

Students must have some experience in both drawing and painting from life. 

Class Description:

This course takes us outdoors to study natural light where we will put emphasis on the importance of the initial abstract design, seeing the dominant shapes in a painting before paint is even applied to the canvas. Good design hinges on understanding the dynamics of large to middle to small ranged shapes. The importance of drawing is discussed, practiced and emphasized including the use of Notans (small simplified sketches). Goals of the course include; learning about the fundamentals of Value, Hue, Saturation and Temperature. Throughout the course, discussions on creating Atmosphere and Color Harmony to depict the illusion of depth in our paintings will be investigated.

Supply List:

  • An Outdoor easel and paintbox is required for this course.   

    Three suggested options are:

    John Coulter system (http://artboxandpanel.com/)

    Strada Mini. https://www.stradaeasel.com

    Daytripper easel. https://www.prolificpainter.com

    But there are many options available on the market.

  • Gamsol mineral spirits

  • Cup/clip holder for Gamsol

  • Brush cleaner container

  • Paper towels / or rags (I use blue shop towels from Home Depot)

  • Brushes: I prefer Princeton or Rosemary filbert and long flats, bristle hair, sizes 6,8,10,12,14,16. I also use Rosemary Long Flats (sables-soft brush) sizes 3,5,8 (an assortment is fine and any brand is acceptable)

  • Panels: (Suggested: Centurion, Source Tek or RayMar). An assortment of panels ranging in sizes (such as: 8 by 10, 9 by 12 or 12 by 16 inches). You will need approximately 10-12

  • Sketchbook and drawing materials. I use a Strathmore 400 series 5.5 by 8.8 inch sketchbook Toned Tan, Design Ebony pencil, eraser pen and white charcoal pencil (Generals brand), but any sketchbook and materials you prefer will work.

  • Oil Paints - I use Gamblin, Rembrandt and Williamsburg most often. I recommended these basic colors

    • Titanium white

    • Lemon Yellow

    • Cadmium yellow medium

    • Yellow Ochre

    • Cadmium red

    • Quinacridone Red

    • Transparent red oxide

    • Viridian

    • Ultramarine Blue

    • Cobalt blue (optional)

    • Chromatic black (I use Gamblin)