Bridget is excited to offer this workshop again. The focus will be to discuss painting the landscape outdoors on location. Get ready for a lot of information and learning. Day 1 is all about value. We will study the value structure of the landscape and simplify values to create strong starts. Day 2 will focus on color. We will discuss seeing color as value and organizing color temperatures to achieve various light effects. Day 3 we will continue practicing the information from the first two days as well as discuss other topics relevant to landscape painting such as atmospheric perspective, gradation, and special lighting situations such as sunsets. Class will be taught in oils and tailored to all skill levels. Limit 10 students.

Time: Friday, 11:00am–5:00pm, Saturday & Sunday, 10:00am–5:00pm

CeCeile will do a demo each day stressing values, shapes and simplification of the landscape. On the first day we will meet at Lake Harriet just across from the Rose Garden.

Outdoor watercolor supply list

When we hear people talk about plein-air painting we often think of landscapes. However, painting the outdoor still life is an excellent way to study light and color. Students can learn a lot from this type of study, as it is easier to see how light and color shifts occur on simple objects than in the more complicated forms in the landscape. Each day exercises will be presented to help students achieve strong starts. Class focus will be on color, but light effect, value, and drawing will also be discussed. Students will begin the first few sessions by painting very simple still-life set-ups that will become more elaborate as the workshop progresses. Class will be taught in oils and tailored to all skill levels. Limit 12 students.

Time: Friday, 11:00am–5:00pm, Saturday & Sunday, 10:00am–5:00pm

John F. Carlson, in his groundbreaking 1929 book, Elementary Principles of Landscape Painting, urges us to study the expressive properties of line, mass, and color. He states that it is a delusion to think that if a painter can merely “copy nature” well enough, he is creating a work of art, that he has to merely get a certain “likeness” of the things before him. He states that, rather, a painter must see through his motif, into its significance, and then choose his means accordingly. But how does one do that?

This workshop is designed to answer that question. We will plant the seeds of creative expression; we will impart a solid means to analyze and consider the quality of interest that a motif holds for us: the IDEA!

We will learn how to single out that transmittable, personal impression of some ONE QUALITY in the quantity before us, and get closer in our quest to understand and create true works of art! Each day of the 3-day workshop begins with a lecture and/or demo. Afternoons we paint outdoors.

All levels welcome.

Full lecture and workshop
Length: 3 days
Tuition: $500
Limit: 17 students

First morning lecture only
Length: 1 day
Tuition: $75
Limit: 40 students