Plein-air to Studio

Saturdays 8:30 - 11:30 am

6 classes: $450

Starts January 9, 2027

INSTRUCTOR:

Jeff Markowsky

Register

Prerequisites:

Students must have some experience in both drawing and oil painting from life. Some plein air experience is beneficial. 

Class Description:

This course focuses on using plein air studies and video reference done outdoors as building blocks for larger studio paintings. Two classes will be done on location outdoors and then the next four will be indoors developing a larger composition from the studies and reference gathered. We will study natural light and put emphasis on the importance of the initial abstract design, seeing the dominant shapes in a painting before paint is even applied to the canvas. Good design hinges on understanding the dynamics of large to middle to small ranged shapes. The importance of drawing is discussed, practiced and emphasized including the use of Notans (small simplified sketches). Goals of the course include; learning about the fundamentals of Value, Hue, Saturation and Temperature. The importance of premixing a palette for the larger works will be demonstrated. Throughout the course, discussions on creating Atmosphere and Color Harmony to depict the illusion of depth in our paintings will be investigated. 

Supply List:

An Outdoor easel and paintbox is required for this course. Four suggested options are:

Oil Paints: I use Gamblin, Rembrandt and Williamsburg most often. I recommended these basic colors

  • Titanium white

  • Lemon Yellow

  • Cadmium yellow medium

  • Yellow Ochre

  • Cadmium red (or Windsor red by Winsor Newton)

  • Quinacridone Red

  • Transparent red oxide

  • Viridian

  • Ultramarine Blue

  • Cobalt blue (optional)

  • Chromatic black (I use Gamblin)

  • Gamsol mineral spirits

  • cup/clip holder for Gamsol

  • brush cleaner container

  • paper towels / or rags (I use blue shop towels from Home Depot)

  • Medium - I use 1/3 gamsol, 1/3 linseed oil, 1/3 Damar varnish

  • Brushes: I prefer Princeton or Rosemary filbert and long flats, bristle hair, sizes 6,8,10,12,14,16 I also use Rosemary Long Flats (sables-soft brush) sizes 3,5,8 (an assortment is fine and any brand is acceptable)

  • Panels: Suggested: Centurion, Source Tek or RayMar An assortment of panels ranging in sizes. Such as: 8 by 10, 9 by 12 or 12 by 16 inches You will need approximately 2-3 1 larger panel or stretched canvas sized approximately 18 by 24 or larger. (exact size of larger composition will be decided in first two weeks of course)

  • Sketchbook and drawing materials I use a Strathmore 400 series 5.5 by 8.8 inch sketchbook Toned Tan Design Ebony pencil, eraser pen and white charcoal pencil (Generals brand) but any sketchbook and materials you prefer will work. Optional: Copic grey markers. Values 2,5,7 and white paged sketchbook