Christina Weaver-En Plein Air: Painting the Garden

www.christinaweaver.com

This 3-Day workshop, held among the picturesque grounds of the Franciscan Life Process Center, will be an introduction to painting botanical subjects, from life, in an outdoor setting. Students will depict small moments in the landscape, focusing in on the many hues, geometries, and textures to be found in the Center’s flower and vegetable gardens. Emphasis will be on accurate drawing, value structure, color relationships, and paint application as we work a single oil painting from start to finish. Deliberate color mixing and brush economy will also be prioritized as we organize our observations onto canvas to create the illusions of light, form, and space. Though faithful representation is at the core of this class, painting outside presents unique challenges that call for adaptability. Fleeting light, changing weather conditions, and moving components complicate the process, demanding quick decisions and compositional adjustments. Together, we will tackle and embrace these challenges, balancing control and the delightful chaos that come with painting living subjects en plein air. Mornings will consist of lectures, demonstrations, and informal critiques. Students will paint in the afternoon, guided by one-on-one instruction. All levels are welcome. Some drawing experience is recommended.

Host or Publisher Franciscan Life Process Center Kathleen Bechtel, Art Director