Plein Air Art Workshop hosted by Zac Moynihan

The purpose of this workshop is to provide information and instruction in the art of outdoor landscape painting. The medium will be oil and we will be following the methods of the old masters (Thomas Cole, Frederic Church, Monet, Eugene von Guerrard etc) to create our own impressions of what we perceive to be the beauty of the natural world. Students will not only learn methods in composition, colour study, value and drawing but also be encouraged to contemplate within themselves what beauty means to them.

COURSE STRUCTURE
The course will be completed over 3 full-day (9am-3pm) sessions which are outlined below.

DAY 1 - In Studio
Introduction to landscape painting and materials used including:
- Materials (oil paints, brushes, painting surfaces and mediums and safe handling)
- Basic value and colour principles
- Drawing and linear perspective

Presentation on historic landscape painters, old master methods, discussion on perceptions of beauty and the landscape.

Introductory painting session - painting of a photograph to help explore the materials and work through basic concepts.

DAY 2 - En Plein Air
Students will be brought to a landscape location to set up and paint their outdoor study. This location could be on school grounds, or nearby at Simpson’s Falls Rec Area. Ideas about composition, drawing, perspective and colour will be discussed and practiced through preparatory drawing studies and en plein air painting.

DAY 3 - In Studio
Students will return to the studio to compare notes and ideas as well as paintings. More discussion on methods and techniques (glazing in particular) as well as touch-ups to outdoor painting will be made from memory. Small presentation by students of their paintings outlining reasons for compositional choices, what their intention was with the painting, how they could improve, what they liked/didn’t like etc. Constructive criticism discussion amongst peers.

For more information, please contact Zac zmoynihan@stuartholme.com