About Introduction to Plein Air: Drawing & Painting Workshop
3 Sessions: May 25-27, 11AM-4PM
This 3-day workshop will introduce the working methods of drawing and painting outside, en plein air, in the landscape. Artists will learn about the equipment, such as easels, palettes, and other helpful tools to support their artmaking outside in a comfortable manner, in addition to artistic techniques to aid in the process of drawing and painting outside. All artists will feel empowered and confident in their methods and techniques of working en plein air by the close of the class.
This course is open to artists of all experience levels using wet or dry media, specifically acrylic paint, oil paint, water soluble oil paint, pencil and/or charcoal. Please bring the materials you wish to work with. Can you expect to create 1-2 works of art per day based on your media, canvas size and how fast you typically work. Each day will consist of demonstrations, open studio time with ample one-to-one guidance, and some time for group critique and discussion. We will break for lunch between 12:30-1:30 each day.
Instructor Bio:
Amanda K. Hawkins is an award winning painter living and working in Beverly, MA. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Montserrat College of Art in 2014 and Masters in Fine Arts in Painting at Boston University in 2021. She is on the Board of Trustees at Rocky Neck Art Colony and shows her work in gallery shows across New England. Amanda teaches painting workshops across North America, including in British Columbia and Arizona, in addition to virtual workshops which have an international draw. Her work can be found in private art collections across the globe. Amanda maintains an active studio blog and shares her creative practice with over 25K people worldwide. If Amanda isn’t in the studio, she’s exploring New England and gaining inspiration for her next painting.
Supplies:
- Sketchbook
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Masking Tape
- Plein Air easel (if you have one, if not we will use deCordova studio easels)
- Field stool (if you have one, if not we will use deCordova Chairs)
- Sun hat and/or sun block
- Water bottle
If using oil paint:
- (3-6) 9×12 or similar sized canvas/panel
- Paint (recommended pigments below, please bring what you normally use)
Titanium white, Quinacridone Magenta, Cadmium Red Light and/or Naphthol Red, Cadmium, Yellow Light, Ultramarine Blue and/or Phthalo Blue - Paint Brushes, varying sizes
- Palette Knife
- Palette box (I recommend this one)
- Palette Paper, size 12×16
- Linseed Oil or similar (I recommend Gamblin Brand Galkyd or Neoglip)
- Rags or shop towels
- Latex Gloves
- Gamsol, 4.2 oz bottle
- Jar with lid (for cleaning brushes)
If using water-soluble oil paint:
- (3-6) 9 x12 or similar sized canvas/panel
Paint (recommended pigments, please bring what you normally use) Titanium white, Quinacridone Magenta, Cadmium Red Light and/or Naphthol Red, Cadmium Yellow Light, Ultramarine Blue and/or Phthalo Blue - Paint Brushes, varying sizes
- Palette Knife
- Palette box (I recommend this one)
- Palette Paper, size 12×16
If using acrylic paint:
- (3-6) 9×12 or similar sized canvas/panel
- Paint (recommended pigments, please bring what you normally use) Titanium white, Quinacridone Magenta, Cadmium Red Light and/or Naphthol Red, Cadmium Yellow Light
Ultramarine Blue and/or Phthalo Blue - Paint Brushes, varying sizes
- Palette Knife
- Acrylic Retarder, 8oz bottle
- Masterson Sta-Wet Palette (Find it here, make sure to include box, paper and sponge)
- Paper towels
If using charcoal:
- Willow charcoal (1-2 sticks)
- Compressed charcoal
- White Conte Crayon
- Kneaded Eraser
- Spray Fixative
- Drawing Paper (I recommend size 12×16 – 18×24)
Instructor Provided:
- Viewfinders
- Value Charts
- Newsprint paper
- Water cups (for acrylic painters)
