Distilling the Landscape En Plein Air with Ben Hamburger
Oct 17-18, 2024, 9 AM-1 PM at the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center
What to Expect:
Simplifying what you see is a necessary component of observational painting. But it can also be used as a liberating constraint to explore design, composition, and color. During this two day workshop we will work at The Great Dismal Swamp, one of the unique regional landscapes around Elizabeth City, to distill our surroundings into compositions that convey both the essence of the place as well as our individual artistic voices. We will begin by focusing on selection and composition exercises before moving on to full color paintings. Discussions on theory and demonstrations will be followed by painting time with guidance by the instructor and group critique. Beginner and experienced plein air painters are welcome, however, this class is a class for people with some substantial painting experience. While demos will be provided in oil paint, both oils and acrylic painters are welcome. In the chance of inclement weather on either day, we will work from photo reference indoors.
Oct 17-18, 2024, 9 AM-1 PM at the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center
What to Expect:
Simplifying what you see is a necessary component of observational painting. But it can also be used as a liberating constraint to explore design, composition, and color. During this two day workshop we will work at The Great Dismal Swamp, one of the unique regional landscapes around Elizabeth City, to distill our surroundings into compositions that convey both the essence of the place as well as our individual artistic voices. We will begin by focusing on selection and composition exercises before moving on to full color paintings. Discussions on theory and demonstrations will be followed by painting time with guidance by the instructor and group critique. Beginner and experienced plein air painters are welcome, however, this class is a class for people with some substantial painting experience. While demos will be provided in oil paint, both oils and acrylic painters are welcome. In the chance of inclement weather on either day, we will work from photo reference indoors.
Oct 17-18, 2024, 9 AM-1 PM at the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center
What to Expect:
Simplifying what you see is a necessary component of observational painting. But it can also be used as a liberating constraint to explore design, composition, and color. During this two day workshop we will work at The Great Dismal Swamp, one of the unique regional landscapes around Elizabeth City, to distill our surroundings into compositions that convey both the essence of the place as well as our individual artistic voices. We will begin by focusing on selection and composition exercises before moving on to full color paintings. Discussions on theory and demonstrations will be followed by painting time with guidance by the instructor and group critique. Beginner and experienced plein air painters are welcome, however, this class is a class for people with some substantial painting experience. While demos will be provided in oil paint, both oils and acrylic painters are welcome. In the chance of inclement weather on either day, we will work from photo reference indoors.
Suggested Materials:
The following material list is a great place to start but there are lots of options out there. Feel free to try out different things and reach out with any questions.
Field Easel: I still use a good old French easel, but also have a tripod with a New Wave U.Go pochade box. There are a bunch of different kinds of easels available at various price points, but a French easel is a great and relatively affordable way to start.
Palette (often comes with French easel)
Brushes: #2, 4, 8 and 12 Filbert, flats, and/or rounds (and any others you may like) I like Princeton Aspen Synthetic Brushes. Feel free to get a set.
Paint (It is up to the student to choose whether to use acrylic or oil paints. I recommend Gamblin oil paints, but there are many good brands and ones to suit any budget. Feel free to choose):
37ml: ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, cadmium yellow medium, lemon yellow, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, burnt umber and any other extra colors you may want.
150 ml: titanium white
Solvent:
16oz gamsol solvent (if using oils)
Painting accessories:
Brush washing jar (or other tightly sealed jar with a screen to clean brushes)
Small bottle of refined linseed oil (if using oils)
1oz dropper bottle for linseed oil (if using oils)
mid-sized palette knife
backpack or tote bag to carry everything
Latex gloves
rags and/or paper towel roll
Paint scraper for cleaning palette
View finder (or cut a piece of cardstock paper into 2 right angle L shapes)
Mixed media sketchbook/canvas pad/scrap canvas/gessoed paper (some kind of cheap surface of your choice for quick composition and value studies.)
Canson XL Oil and Acrylic Pad - 9" x 12" would work great
Drawing pencil(s) of your choice
Painting surfaces: 2-3 panels or canvases. Usually painting panels are preferred over stretched canvas for plein air painting because the light does not shine through. I happen to like a more rigid surface anyways. I recommend DaVinci Pro Medium Textured Panels. You can also use canvas panels or make your own. I get mine from Jerrys Artarama, but they have them at local stores as well.
Sizes: Around 8x10in, 10x10in, 9x12in, or 11x14in
Other supplies:
Sunscreen
Bug spray
A hat with a brim
Plenty of water
Umbrella that can be attached to your easel
Snacks/lunch