Intro to Plein Air Painting - with Deborah Czernecky

Level: Advanced beginner (basic knowledge of painting required).

Painting En Plein Air (outside on location) can be a joy in capturing your feelings of the amazing scene in front of you. Knowing what to bring for your outdoor painting kit can be a challenge and also knowing what works best for the medium you paint with, without bringing the whole studio. Discovering the best way to start painting on location can seem rather big and overwhelming.

Your instructor Deborah Czernecky will show you the way! Deborah is an established Canadian Artist who is an Elected Member of the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA) and an Active Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA). She can often be found in nature with her easel and paints, helping others to enjoy creating art outside.

Here is what Deborah has planned for your delightful morning:

Hour one - We will talk about various outdoor easels and art equipment. The must haves and what not to bring. The objective is to bring the minimal amount of supplies while allowing for the maximum in painting on location. I will share my thoughts on various art equipment from easels, palette choices, clean up, how to lighten your art load, transporting wet paintings, and what not to wear. Very important what not to say at airport security when travelling with your colours!

Hours two and three - We will venture out on location and set up to paint. I will give a demo, followed by you painting a small plein air sketch! The last 30 minutes we will chat about our paintings with your feedback.

Supplies required:

Outdoor easel for oils and acrylic painters (If you don’t have one, please contact me, as I have extras.)

A painting umbrella if you have one.

Two gesso canvas boards for oils and acrylics, 8x10 or 11x14.

Palette or palette paper.

A roll of paper towels and garbage bag.

Odorless Mineral spirit for the oil painters with adequate containers.

Water containers with water in them for acrylic painters.

Your brushes, some big, medium and one small brush, no more than a total of 6 paint brushes.

Acrylic or oil paints: Your favourites colours / my suggestions:

Cad lemon or hansa, cool.

Cad yellow med or cad deep yellow, warm.

Alizarin red, cool.

Cad red light, warm.

Cobalt blue, cool.

Ultramarine blue, warm.

Viridian green, if you already have it.

Titanium white.

Black, doesn’t matter which one, it’s to mix greens.

Extras colours to bring, but not necessary.

Yellow ochre,

Burnt umber

Don't forget to dress for the weather, as you will be outside.

A hat with a brim.

Bottle of drinking water.

Fold up chair

Note book and pencil

A sense of humour, we are in the elements, which can include bugs and wind.

If you have any question about this mini workshop and required equipment, please contact me - [email protected].

Host or Publisher Coast Collective Visual Arts Program - Arts & Culture Colwood Society