Finding Your Artistic Voice with Plein Air Painting with Rose Irelan — September 14-15
9AM-4PM — In this workshop, students will learn methods to quickly and effectively capturing a “big idea” or visual concept when painting out in the field.
9AM-4PM — In this workshop, students will learn methods to quickly and effectively capturing a “big idea” or visual concept when painting out in the field.
9AM-4PM — In this workshop, students will learn methods to quickly and effectively capturing a “big idea” or visual concept when painting out in the field.
Dates: Sept 14, 15, 2024
Times: Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 – 4:00 PM
Structure of Class: (2) 7-hour in-person session (with 1-hour lunch)
Level: All Levels
Registration deadline: Sept 7th, 2024
Class Description
Nature and observation of how light and color create certain visual effects are the single most valuable things we can do as landscape artists. But sometimes painting en plein air (outdoors) can be overwhelming and very difficult, resulting in unfinished work, loss of your original idea or visual concept, fragmented forms and value patterns, color that does not feel natural and other challenges presented along the way such as changing light. Yet painting outdoors provides artists, endless inspiration and brings energy and excitement into our work! Observing nature and working directly outdoors is the best way to study color and light. Much better than using photographs in the studio. However, after you “learn how to see” and how to capture form, value, color, and light in your work from observing nature directly, you will be able to analyze and problem-solve how to work with photos better in the studio.
This is why I call the Plein Air Sketch a “gem”. It informs our other work like nothing else can. It holds the potential for honest, solid, and great work in the studio. The plein air sketch is my #1 source for my studio work.
In this workshop, I will share with my students methods that I have found to be the most valuable in quickly and effectively capturing my “big idea” or visual concept when working out in the field. I have spent many years “figuring” this out because I loved working outdoors and the feeling of my plein air work, yet I wanted to grasp my visual concepts better when plein air painting. I wanted my plein air paintings to be good paintings on their own, or to be something that I was really excited about to paint back in the studio! Painting correct color notes, creating color relationships, identifying a solid value pattern, and committing to a design and visual idea are so very important to have in your study so that you can more successfully translate that visual concept in the studio. Also practicing these important fundamentals mindfully will make you a better painter.
A plein air “sketch” is a gem for this reason. It can be either a beautiful painting on its own or a valuable source of information for your next studio painting, while you improve your painting practice on each painting you do!
I will be spending time with each student addressing their questions and specific problems they may be running into.
I hope you join me for this opportunity to improve your plein air painting and find your Artistic Voice painting Plein Air Gems, while we explore painting in beautiful Mendocino!
About the Instructor
With a Bachelor of Arts from the Columbus College of Art and Design, Rose transitioned from a 20-year graphic design career to focus on painting full-time in 2002. She excels in both plein air and studio work, integrating her outdoor observations into refined studio pieces. Her unique approach brings a distinctive luminosity and vibrancy to her art.
A dedicated teacher with 20 years of experience, Rose offers a well-developed curriculum with personalized instruction. She has received accolades from prestigious organizations, including the American Impressionist Society and Oil Painters of America. Rose's passion for teaching and nature shines through in her work, aiming to provide an emotive experience that resonates deeply with viewers.
"Every outdoor location and experience feeds my passion to paint and connect more deeply with nature. I believe the best way to paint nature is from direct observation, capturing not only its appearance but also its essence. I am a lifelong student of nature and light." — Rose Irelan
Materials list