Plein Air Painting the Assateague Back Country with Special Photography Sessions

Name: Plein Air Painting the Assateague Back Country with Special Photography Sessions
Start: 2025-10-17T09:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-10-19T17:00:00-04:00
Location: Assateague Island National Seashore

Schedule

Fri, 17 Oct, 2025 at 09:00 am to Sun, 19 Oct, 2025 at 05:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Assateague Island National Seashore | Berlin, MD

Led by fine artist, Karen McLain and Meredith Hudes-Lowder, Equus Ferus Photography, this workshop will be a spontaneous plein air adventure on the Oversand Vehicle Zone (OSV). Each day will provide opportunities to encounter completely new subjects to add to the workshops traditional core focus of wild horses. Transportation is provided for each day’s exploration in the OSV. Participants must pack all necessities for the entire day including gear, lunch, and drinks. Create your own workshop by choosing the days best suited to you or all three days for a reduced rate. Workshop components encompass the process of field study and photo reference to complete a studio painting with the life and energy of paintings in the field. Limited to 12, participants will gain skills and techniques to prepare for capturing forms when painting from life. Karen McLain's extensive painting experience includes focus on wild horses, including those at Assateague Island National Seashore. This is an excellent opportunity to learn from a subject matter expert in an intimate setting.
DAY 1 - Friday October 17, 9am-5pm – Paint the Magic of Assateague Island, a one-day Plein air painting workshop. This workshop is designed for participants who are familiar with working outdoors and are comfortable with their chosen media. This fast-paced day is designed to paint multiple small, quick studies to capture the immediacy and experience Assateague Island. As opportunity presents, we will be painting subjects in the OSV including seldom seen bands of the famed wild horses, disappearing hunting lodges, the MD/VA state line, and the diverse wilderness landscape including ocean, dunes, forest and marsh in the quiet back-country area. A demonstration and individual attention will be given.
A portable, (Plein air), easel is required. Please work with the media you are comfortable using. We will be working on several, 6-8 small quick studies, and will likely change locations several times during the day. The goal is to immerse yourself in the experience, paint with heightened perception, and improve your outdoor painting skills. Plein air experience is strongly recommended.
Day 2 - Saturday October 18, 10am-6pm: Gesture sketching and Photography for Studio Reference. This one-day workshop is designed to integrate quick field sketches, (Pencil, pen or watercolor), with improving photography skills. Ideas and paintings based on field sketches are full of life and energy. Once we return to the studio, we need to have good photo reference for accuracy. The days lessons are very visually focused will skill building day that will be reflected in subsequent work. Photography sessions are led by Meredith Hudes-Lowder of Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography and Gesture sketching by Karen McLain.
No special photography equipment required. Bring what you have, even your phone, and leave with new skills. The afternoon light this time of year is spectacular. Bring small, portable gear on Saturday. (Pencil, watercolor sketchbooks, color pencil, ink, or anything they will be comfortable carrying and walking around with.
Day 3 - Sunday October 19, 9am-5pm – Paint the Magic of Assateague Island 2.0, a one-day Plein air painting workshop. A sequel to Day 1, participants will have the opportunity to utilize skills learned in the previous days lessons to increase plein air proficiency while encountering varied subject matter in the OSV. Participants will see a huge difference in their work after taking the gesture and photography day. This workshop is designed for participants who are familiar with working outdoors and are comfortable with their chosen media. This fast-paced day is designed to paint multiple small, quick studies to capture the immediacy and experience Assateague Island. As opportunity presents, we will be painting subjects in the OSV including seldom seen bands of the famed wild horses, disappearing hunting lodges, the MD/VA state line, and the diverse wilderness landscape including ocean, dunes, forest and marsh in the quiet back-country area. A demonstration and individual attention will be given.
A portable, (Plein air), easel is required. Please work with the media you are comfortable using. We will be working on several, 6-8 small quick studies, and will likely change locations several times during the day. The goal is to immerse yourself in the experience, paint with heightened perception, and improve your outdoor painting skills. Plein air experience is strongly recommended.

Registration for this complete workshop is $300 (or $125 for each day). Fees include all instruction sessions, use of classroom space, transportation on and off the OSV, drinks, and snacks. Lodging and meals are not provided in the registration fee. Lodging options are available upon request and include camping on the island and hotel accommodations are available within 10 miles of Assateague Island National Seashore.
Cancellation Policy:
For all cancellations made by registered participants more than two weeks prior to the start date of the workshop, AIA will issue a refund of the registration fee minus a $25 administrative fee. For cancellations made within two weeks of the start date, no refunds will be given. If AIA cancels the workshop participants will receive a full refund.