Final Summer Workshop, Paint the San Juans September 12 & 13

September is my favorite time of year with it's beautiful light. September 12 & 13 will be the last outdoor painting workshop for 2009. We will go out on location and develope our compositions,and then work on a larger canvas. My workshops are open to any media, though I demonstrate in oils. Outdoor or plein air painting lends itself to any medium. With oil paints, a painting is usually completed in 2 to 3 hours.
Demonstration painting from August workshop 15 X 30" oil over black gesso.
Call me at 360 378 2638 or stop by Funk & Junk in Friday Harbor if you would like to sign up. Scroll down to see photos of previous workshops.

Day One August Plein Air Workshop, Paint the San Juans!

Our August workshop was terrific, great people, and wonderful plein air paintings. We started by talking about a variety of approaches to getting started, looking and thumbnail sketching on location. We talked about a traditional academic approach, doing an under painting in a single color. Next we did a color study to determine what our color palette was going to be. By the time we started our painting, we had gathered a lot of information, making it easier to concentrate on the actual act of painting. Towards the end of day several artists worked on making a color wheel, giving them a deeper understanding of the pigments, and color mixing. Lisa McHugh hosted our first day, down near Cattle Point.

Day 2 on San Juan Island

The second day of the our workshop was quite remarkable, perfect weather, no wind, and 360 degrees of beauty. Everyone was inspired, and much more comfortable with painting and using the materials. We introduced a new technique, a non traditional approach,starting with a black gesso underpainting, followed by a transparent glaze to tone the canvas. All this before starting in with the regular opaque oil paint.This technique worked very successfully for everyone.

Portrait Painting Demonstration, San Juan County Fair 2009

Sue Schirmer was very gracious to sit for her portrait during my oil painting demonstration at this year's San Juan County Fair. During the Fair, many artists demonstrate their craft, and it gives people a chance to witness the creative process in action. The first thing I like to do is draw the model. Drawing helps me get familar with the shapes, and helps me to really look at the model.
I started this painting in a traditional manner, using a monochromatic underpainting. I used Terra Rosa, a warm brown pigment,and thinner, turpenoid, to draw in the form. In the beginning, I was concentrating only on shapes, edges and values. The second phase of the painting was to spot in color. Developing color becomes so much easier once the shapes and values are well established. This method makes the final phase of the painting, so much easier and fun. During my upcoming workshop we will be plein air painting in this traditional manner, spliting out composition and values from color. Stay tuned to see the results of this weekend"s workshop.

2 Late Summer Workshops August 22 & 23 and September 12 & 13

2 summer workshop are coming up here on San Juan Island. During the workshop, We will first work with a quick value study. Artists will pick a view they like and create a paint sketch in one color, to understand composition and the value structure, that is the lights and darks. Then we will do a color study, not worrying about shapes or form, just mixing colors. By the time we get to our painting, we will have gathered a lot of information. This will allow painters to concentrate on painting, putting down large bold strokes of color, Artists may simplify their compositions, working towards more abstract shapes. Beginning artists will enjoy this classic process, making it easier to understand visual information and then get it onto the canvas. There will be painting demonstrating both mornings. In the afternoon each artist will be working on their particular view, I will discuss issues that come up with each person at their easel. Each day we are in different and beautiful locations here on San Juan Island. Click here for materials list, Cost per 2 day workshop, $175. Call at 360 378 2638 for questions, or to sign up. Limit 12 people.