Mount Congreve Gardens 2-Day Plein Air Painting Workshop

Workshop Description

Landscape painting today is most often associated with plein air sketches that rely on the alla prima approach, so the focus of this workshop will be to create vivid and accurate painterly sketches directly from the motif.

This short workshop will begin with a concise and focused class on different theoretical concepts and followed then with the practical application outdoors in the field. Many painting demonstrations will be given, which will guide you step-by-step through the painting process. Group discussion, one-to-one support (as well as peer support), and practical exercises will reinforce your learning and answer any questions that you have.

The workshop will begin with a brief overview of the plein air painting tradition, which really began to flourish in the 19^th century, as well as a consideration of practical issues including my own personal and professional tips.

Following this, we will consider the most important compositional aspects of landscape painting, beginning with selecting suitable scenes. Some of the learning features of this workshop include:

• Working from pencil sketches to monochromatic painted exercises to limited colour palette paintings to expressive full colour paintings
• Seeking out spatial cues in any scene that will lead to a successful painting: volume, scale, overlap (or interposition) and linear perspective
• Interpreting shape and mass
• Simplifying and characterising trees and foliage
• Dealing with problematic subjects such as dappled, or non-conforming patterns of, light and shadow, or how to accurately depict the myriad variations of the colour green
• The importance of value and tonal relationships, which document the fall and effect of light and shadow on the subject matter, will be emphasised at the beginning
• Introduction to many landscape painters, schools and styles
• The benefits of working sight-size
• Learning how to mix colours so that they remain true to their subject
• Reviewing the basics of colour theory, primary colour biases, colour temperature, and transparencies and opacities of paint colours, and in different mediums
• Developing strategies to help you to respond quickly to light and colour, helping you to simplify value, hue and chroma, and to heighten your awareness of temperature changes in the scene

Finally, we will gather inspiration, colour notes, painted sketches and photographic references should you wish to develop larger studio paintings at home.

LUNCH & REFRESHMENTS

Lunch and refreshments are available at the Stables Café at Mount Congreve House each day. This is not included in the workshop price. Alternatively, you can bring your own packed lunch.