Coastal Light & Landscape: Plein Air in Mendocino with Ellen Howard - Oct 18 & 19

Dates: Oct 18, 2025 → Oct 19, 2025
Times: Sat & Sun 9am - 4:30pm w/1 hour lunch
Level: All levels

Workshop Description:
Join me for an immersive plein air painting workshop in the stunning coastal landscape of Mendocino. Designed for artists of all levels, this workshop will focus on the essential skills needed to capture the beauty and atmosphere of the outdoors with confidence and clarity. Students may work in Oils or Gouache.

Through a combination of demonstrations, guided exercises, and personalized instruction, participants will explore:

   •   Understanding Light & Atmosphere – Learn how light interacts with the landscape, shifting throughout the day to create mood and depth.

   •   Composition & Design – Discover how to frame a compelling scene, using strong focal points, leading lines, and balanced design principles.

   •   Simplification of Shapes & Values – Train your eye to break complex landscapes into simple, impactful shapes for a stronger visual statement.

   •   Value Study Exercises – Develop a deeper understanding of tonal relationships through quick monochromatic studies, strengthening your ability to create depth and contrast. We will focus on value studies the first morning of class and then take this knowledge into our plein air practice.

   •   Color Mixing Strategies – Explore techniques for mixing natural, harmonious colors that reflect the vibrancy of Mendocino’s cliffs, ocean, and sky.

This workshop will include live painting demonstrations each morning, individual guidance, and group discussions to help you refine your technique and develop your unique artistic voice. Whether you’re new to plein air or looking to enhance your skills, this experience will deepen your connection to nature and elevate your painting practice.

A $10 materials fee will be paid to the instructor on the first day of class. Cash is appreciated.

About the Instructor:
Ellen Howard is a Californian impressionist painter, celebrated for her evocative and serene landscapes that capture the fleeting essence of nature's tranquility. As an avid explorer and traveler, Ellen draws inspiration from nature’s transitory moments and loves discovering quiet, unexplored scenes. Seeing the light move across the land, cascading off mountain ridges, filtering through the leaves, dancing on the top of the waves, and creating a beautiful ray of warmth in the sky and clouds is pure serenity. Her work evokes a sense of peace and tranquility, translating nature’s quiet power into visual poetry. These transitory moments are where Ellen finds her solace and a deeper understanding of life through both her artistic expressions.

Her work has appeared in prestigious publications such as American Art Collector, Fine Art Connoisseur, and Plein Air Magazine. Additionally, her work was showcased in the book The Great American Paint Out by ACC Art Books. Ellen was named one of the "5 to Watch" in Fine Art Connoisseur's August/September 2023 issue and honored as the "Spotlight Artist" in the California Art Club's July 2023 Newsletter. Her paintings have been included in shows at the Peninsula Museum of Art, Burlingame, CA, the Triton Museum, Santa Clara, CA, Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY, and the Mendocino Art Center, CA, as well as numerous group and solo shows. Ellen teaches workshops in Northern California and abroad and is an active member of the California Art Club, currently serving as a Vice President.

Ellen is a sought-after instructor, teaching weekly oil painting classes and workshops domestically and abroad. She has been a faculty member for the Plein Air Convention 4 times and has appeared on Eric Rhoads’ Art School Live multiple times.

Her work is represented by Holton Studio Gallery in Berkeley, CA, and Carmel Fine Art in Carmel, CA. Her paintings have been featured in the past seven California Art Club Annual Gold Medal Exhibitions, plus the Salmagundi Club, AIS, and NOAPS. Ellen also shares her insights and experiences through her monthly newsletter, inspiring a broader community of artists and art lovers.

Required Material list: (student responsibility)

Portable easel

Several smaller canvas panels 6x8, 8x10, 9x12 or 11x14. Please bring 3- 6x8 or 5x7 canvas. Plan on 2 canvas per day.

Canvas I use are: Mulitmedia https://multimediaartboard.com/- I like Claessens #13 double primed 100% Belgium linen.

I also use Raymar:https://www.raymarart.com/collections/archival-painting-panels/products/claessens-15-single-oil-primed-linen (You may choose to use your own canvas too)

Other supplies:

Container for Gamsol https://amzn.to/3GrXcY2

Gamsol from Gamblin-safest mineral spirits https://amzn.to/3jzdQvd

Paper towels and small trash bag

Brushes:  A variety of flats, brights and/or filberts. Sizes 2, 6, 8, 10...2 each, if possible. (I use brights & filberts) Princeton Aspen brushes has a nice starter set https://amzn.to/3GcZqJA

Sketch book & Pencil https://amzn.to/3WzUYeR

Oil paints:

Lemon yellow

Cadmium medium Yellow

Yellow Ochre

Cadmium Orange

Ultramarine Blue

Cobalt Blue

Transparent red oxide

Cadmium Red

Aliz. Crimson

Sap Green

Viridian green

Cadmium green-optional

Cerulean Blue-optional

Titanium White, large tube

Dioxazine Purple-optional

A couple of browns are ok too

https://amzn.to/3jzdMfn

Water            Hat    Sunscreen    Camera/phone            Umbrella (optional)