Landscape Painting Workshop in the Blue Mountains

2-Day En Plein Air Painting at the Everglades, Leura

25 - 26 March 2017

Join me to be inspired to paint and learn new en plein air skills!

2 days of tuition, lunches and social activities for just $330

Pensioner discount available on request

How often have you marvelled at the beauty of nature and wished you could create a painting of your impressions? Painting the landscape and especially working outdoors can feel overwhelming! The natural world is vast and the possibilities seem endless.

With my guidance in this 2-day workshop, you will gain confidence and learn techniques to paint impactful landscapes. We will work directly from nature, in the beautiful Everglades in the Blue Mountains and I will share my expertise and passion with you. Whether you are starting out or an experienced painter, you will definitely develop your ability to create successful pictures inspired by nature. You will also connect with like-minded people during the workshop and the social activities, which include a gallery reception, dinner and a private visit to my studio.

I will encourage you to use your senses and perception to truly see nature, to harness your intuition and to express your unique ‘voice’ in your paintings. You can be sure that by the conclusion of the weekend, you will feel inspired and equipped to paint independently in your studio and outdoors.

Your partner is welcome to join us in all the social activities so that you both can enjoy a weekend in the Mountains.

You will learn how to:

•    Connect with the landscape using mindful attention and gestural sketches

•    Use a viewfinder and compositional sketches

•    Mix and use colour confidently

•    Arrange your palette effectively

•    Handle your materials with ease and proficiency

•    Understand the value and limits of photography

•    Confidently select and omit parts of what you see to create an effective composition

•    Use the principles of design, such as focal point, balance, rhythm, etc

•    Render form and space with perspective

•    Understand how to develop your work in your studio

LOCATION

We will spend 2 wonderful days painting in the heart of the beautiful Blue Mountains at Leura’s Everglades Historic House and Gardens. A lush garden and native bush foreground is combined with spectacular views of the mountains beyond.

Everglades, 37 Everglades Avenue, Leura, NSW 2780.

COURSE OUTLINE

DAY 1 - Saturday 25 March

9.45 am Meet at Everglades Garden Visitor’s Centre, 37 Everglades Ave, Leura

·      Introduction to the art of working ‘en plein air’ (outdoors) and connecting with your subject matter

·      Gestural and observational sketches

·      Explanation of compositional devices, use of photography and viewfinders

·      Preliminary sketches of the chosen subject

· 12.30 pm Lunch at Everglades Garden Café – Your partner is welcome. Please book and pay for their lunch and entrance into the garden on your booking form

· 1.15 pm Demonstration of colour mixing, the arrangement of your palette and some technical tips on working with landscape

·      2 – 4.15 pm Painting with individual instruction and assistance

Optional Social Activities – Your partner is welcome

·      4.30 – 5.30 pm Reception at Rex-Livingston Art & Object Gallery, 182 Katoomba St, Katoomba

· 7.30 pm Dinner at Leura Garage at your own expense, 84 Railway Parade, Leura

DAY 2 - Sunday 26 March

9.45 am Meet at Everglades Garden Visitor’s Centre, 37 Everglades Ave, Leura

·      Connect with nature and the landscape via poetry and mindfulness

·      Gestural drawings and compositional sketches

·      Painting with individual instruction and assistance

· 12.30 pm Catered picnic lunch in the Gardens

·      Continue painting with individual instruction and assistance

·      3.30 – 4.15 pm Review of work and concluding discussion, including an explanation of how to continue working in your studio

Optional Social Activity – Your partner is welcome

·      5.00 – 5.45 pm Visit my studio to gain a deeper insight into my working practices and to see paintings still in progress. 

EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW....

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Gallery Reception at Rex-Livingston Art & Objects

Saturday 25th March 4.30-5.30 pm, 182 Katoomba St, Katoomba

You are invited to enjoy a complimentary drink at the Katoomba gallery that represents me. The director, David Rex-Livingston, will give you an introduction to the work of his stable artists.

Dinner at ‘Leura Garage’ Restaurant

Saturday 25th March 7.30 pm, 84 Railway Parade, Leura

You and your partner are most welcome to join me for dinner at one of the Mountains’ best restaurants, ‘Leura Garage’. This meal, including drinks, will be at your own expense.  Please let me know at the time of booking whether you intend coming so I can make an accurate reservation.

Private Studio Visit

Sunday 26th March 5.00 pm, Blaxland (address will be provided to you at the workshop)

On your way down the mountain, I would love you to visit my studio, to gain a deeper insight into my studio practices and see my paintings in progress. Just pop in or stay awhile – I’m happy to answer all your questions over a cup of tea or a glass of wine.

MEAL INCLUSIONS

Lunches, and morning and afternoon teas are included in the workshop fees and provided on location. Fresh fruit, water, tea and coffee will be available as needed. You will receive a complimentary drink at the gallery reception and the studio visit. All other meals and drinks during the weekend are at your own expense. Please let me know when booking if you have special dietary requirements.

DATES & TIMES

The workshop will run 25th and 26th of March, 9.45 am – 4.15 pm each day, with lunch at 12.30 pm. 

YOUR PARTNER

The more the merrier! Your partner is very welcome to join us in the non-workshop activities – all meals, the gallery reception and your visit to my studio. Please book and pay for his/her meals and Everglades entrance on the booking form.

ACCOMMODATION

You will need to arrange your own accommodation. There are many hotels, motels, hostels and B&Bs in the Blue Mountains offering a range of accommodation options.

MINIMUM AGE

You must be 16 and over to attend this workshop unless otherwise agreed. A parent or guardian must provide written permission for you to participate if you are under 18.

GETTING THERE

By car from Sydney – Leura is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes west of Sydney’s CBD on the Great Western Highway. Take the first exit to Leura off the highway and follow the signs to the Everglades Garden.

By train from Sydney – trains to the Blue Mountains depart Sydney Central station hourly on weekends. Please let me know if you need help getting between the train station or your accommodation and Everglades.

POOR WEATHER

The workshop will proceed in all but severe weather conditions. Some activities will be modified to ensure your comfort and safety.

BOOKINGS AND PAYMENT - FULLY BOOKED

CANCELLATION

I reserve the right to cancel the workshop if minimum enrolments are not reached two weeks prior to the workshop date or for circumstances beyond my control. You will be offered placements in an alternative workshop or a refund of all fees. As I rely on group numbers for this workshop, the following cancellation fees will be charged if you choose to cancel or do not attend:

·      On or before 25 February 2017 - FULL REFUND

·      Between 26 February - 15 March 2017 - 50% of the workshop fee

·      After 15 March 2017 - 100% of the workshop fee

EQUIPMENT YOU WILL NEED TO BRING:

·      2 - 3 Supports/grounds to paint on. I recommend canvases or birch boards (preferably one of each). Approx. 30 to 45 cm depending on your preference

·      Odourless solvent for oil painters (500ml or less)

·      1L of water and a spray bottle containing water for acrylic painters

·      2 wide top jars (like peanut butter jars, plastic is fine)

·      3 cotton rags (old towel/sheet)

·      2 painting knives/palette knives

·      Assortment of hog’s bristle (stiff) & soft brushes

·      Portable easel (I have some for loan – first in, best dressed)

·      Sketchbook & pen

·      4B, 6B Pencils

·      Charcoal pencil or 3 willow sticks

·      Soap and hand towel

·      Baby wipes

·      Camera

·      Palette is optional – I will supply some and cling wrap to cover between uses.

Oil or Acrylic paint:

NOTE: These colours are only a guide. If you already have paints, just ensure you have a cool and a warm of each of the primaries to bring along. Please do not go to the extra expense of buying these paints if you already have equivalents.

·      Titanium/opaque white

·      Lemon yellow (cool yellow)

·      Cadmium yellow deep (warm yellow)

·      Yellow ochre

·      Burnt umber

·      Cadmium red light (warm red)

·      Crimson (cool red)

·      Magenta (Alizarin Crimson if you can't source)

·      Ultramarine blue (warm blue)

·      Pthalo blue (cool blue)

·      Black

Other colours are optional, but you can mix a full spectrum using these colours.