Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Plein Air Painting Workshop

Saturday, July 23, I took a painting workshop with Philip Koch, landscape artist and college instructor,  that was held at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, Newport News, Virginia.  Philip was at the center for the opening of an exhibit of his paintings and held a painting workshop.  He had planned for us to paint outside in the morning and the afternoon but the weather was unbearably hot.  We decided to try and paint outside in the morning and paint inside in the studio in the afternoon, although one brave soul painted outside in the afternoon.  In the morning when we were outside painting, the temperature was in the upper 80s to the mid 90s and the humidity ran 60% up to 74% according to data recorded at the Newport News/ Williamsburg airport.  But I think while I was actively painting, I noticed the heat very little until the sweat ran down my face and broke my concentration!

The first painting was painted on the grounds of the Peninsula Fine Arts Center.  It shows a footbridge along what appeared to be a nature or jogging path.  The second painting was painted inside and is a different view of the same footbridge; building shrubs are framing the distant footbridge.  I believe that we painted about two and a half hours in the morning before we broke for lunch.  After lunch we joined Philip in the gallery and discussed his paintings.  What magnificent paintings!!  After the discussion we went off to paint our second painting.  After each painting, Philip provided a valuable critique that is sure to enhance my abilities.  I so enjoyed the day and didn't want it to end!  As you can tell, I did not finish either painting.

No comments:

Post a Comment