Plein Air Intensive

Discover the beauty of Plein Air painting in oils! Class will meet in a local park or suitable public location and will concentrate on the plein air process capturing the essence of a scene in a limited amount of time.  Whether you’re a beginner or experienced artist looking to refine your skills, the instructor will guide you through the process step by step. Students will learn various plein air techniques, including composition, color mixing, capturing light and shadow, and creating atmospheric effects. Class will meet in the same location each day so that students can return to the same scene and demonstrations will also be done at the beginning of class. Engaging with nature first-hand will deepen your understanding of the environment and enhance your ability to interpret it on canvas. 

It is recommended to use 9″x12” panels for this class and not canvas to prevent unwanted light penetrating through the back of the canvas. If you prefer stretched canvas, staple cardboard to the back side to block out light.

Please bring with you any plein air painting supplies you may have in addition to sunblock, hat, folding chair/stool, water and any other materials you want to bring. 

Note: This class will be held at Rancho San Rafael Park. The contingency dates for the class, should the weather not agree, will be the following week, Tuesday and Wednesday, July 18 and 19.

Tuesday and Wednesday, July 11 and 12
9 am – 1 pm

Instructor: Mike Callahan
Age: Adult (15+) | All Levels

Supplies: Bring a confirmation email to Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. 

Paint: Note: If you already have a set of oil paint with a variety of colors, you are welcome to bring it, if not you should get the following colors: M. Graham brand Zinc White (37ml), Titanium White (37ml), Hansa Yellow (37ml), Quinacridone Rose (37 ml), Phthalocyanine Blue (37 ml)

Thinner: Weber Turpenoid (pint) or similar artist’s grade odorless mineral spirits. 

Medium: M. Graham Walnut Oil (4oz), Containers: Silicoil cleaning jar or other small glass jar with sealable lid (for thinner), Small can such as olive can (for medium), Brushes: Synthetic Brights OR Filberts: Silverbrush Bristlon #2, #4, and #10 Or Connoisseur Pure Synthetic, #2, #4, and #10 Or any quality hog bristle in those sizes if the student already owns their own brushes. Painting or Palette knife (steel is preferable to plastic) Disposable Palette New Wave Disposable Palette (grey) or similar, Brush Cleaner The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver 2.5 ozCanvas, 4- Stretched Canvases or Canvas Panels (9”x12”, 11”x14, or 12”x16” – larger sizes than these not recommended due to time constraints), Roll of absorbent paper towels (i.e. Viva or Blue Shop Towels), Nitrile gloves.