Course Description

Over the course of five days, students will gain an understanding the light of the great outdoors and learn how to represent it on the canvas. Held in a controlled studio environment, this class will be enlightening for students with all levels of experience in painting en plein air. Beginners welcome! The class will be divided into two groups with different goals.

1. For the students with to moderate to advanced experience painting en plein-air and painting in general, the goal is to develop a larger studio landscape painting based only on plein-air paintings (no photographs.) Diana will guide the students from composition, to block-in, value and color study, underpainting and layers of color step by step. Students will bring a few plein air sketches and drawings to inform the painting, as well as a few ideas for developing a studio painting. GCA will provide books to guide and inspire our process. Feel free to bring your own books if you would like to.
2. For the students with little to moderate experience painting landscape, the goal is to learn the fundamentals of landscape painting using master copies. Students will start by making simple thumbnail sketches of a number of masterpieces. These sessions will focus on abstract shapes design, value arrangement and composition.  Then student will pick one master copy each day to begin to copy, focusing on different elements. We will talk about drawing and painting techniques, color, atmospheric perspective and other topics as we continue developing the master copy. Diana will provide a set of recommended images to choose from.

Students of both groups will share the same studio space but will work individually in their own space and project. The workshop is designed to be a collaborative environment. Students with little experience can benefit from seeing more advanced work being developed. Advanced students may also benefit from a discussion of fundamentals. There will be time to talk about materials, canvas preparation, plein-air gear, paint and methodologies. Bring all the experience you have, little or plenty, we will learn from each other.