Adult Classes

‍What is “en plein air”? - a French expression that means “in the open air”.  As seen in Impressionist paintings, the goal of this class is to capture the ever-changing light found in nature’s landscape.

Students will learn to capture local color, light, and shadow using spontaneous painting techniques.  They will learn how to choose the subject matter and properly compose it.  Most attention will be guided towards the idea of painting the light on objects instead of painting the elements themselves.  Demonstrations, discussions and individual critiques will be ongoing.

Students will focus on “capturing the moment” quickly and efficiently but without sacrificing mood and magic.  When you are painting outdoors, everything is constantly changing – the wind, light, colors and objects.

This class can help students improve their skills by focusing on composition, values (light/shadow), and color, creating stronger outdoor paintings.

Weather considerations: Please apply sunscreen and bug spray, wear a hat, keep clothing light, and carry an umbrella or sweatshirt, if necessary.  Water bottles, a snack, a personal easel, chair, a snack table, and hand sanitizer are recommended. Please note that we have rain dates scheduled for Aug 14th and Aug 21st.

Materials Needed:

• Basic oil paint color set
• Assorted brushes - round, flat, filbert
• Odorless thinner - Gamsol or Turpenoid, plus a metal or glass jar to hold thinner
• Disposable palette pad
• Miscellaneous recommendations: disposable gloves, rags or paper towels, an apron or smock

On Site Location:

The Boathouse at Mercer Lake in Mercer County Park
334 S Post Rd
West Windsor, NJ 08550
Google Maps →

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