upcoming CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
Sauvie Island #2 - July 2024, Watercolor on paper
Pacific Northwest Sunsets En Plein Air
Learn How to Capture the sunset in real time
This class is for painters who want to build their observational skills and confidence working in the field. We’ll explore the essential foundations of plein air painting, tailored to the unique landscape of the Pacific Northwest. Learn how to anticipate your pigment needs ahead of time, gradients of interchanging colors, and color temperature. Gain confidence to paint fearlessly in any setting. Learn how to find sunset vantage points right in your own neighborhood.. We’ll culminate in a trip to Sauvie island with a 360 view of the pacific northwest sky at sunset.
Led by a lifelong Portland native with years of experience in the field, this workshop includes:
An intro to gear, tools, mediums, and best practices
Lectures on plein air techniques, light behavior, and local atmospheric conditions
Exercises that prepare you to respond quickly and intentionally to shifting light
On-location demonstrations at iconic Portland parks and vistas
Guided outdoor painting sessions
Tips for finding your own neighborhood “sunset spot” that you can study throughout the year
Whether you’re just stepping outside with your paints for the first time or looking to deepen your plein air practice, this class offers a unique way to develop your observational skills and see the Pacific Northwest through a painter’s eye.
This is the first part of an ongoing seasonal series where we come together every Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer to observe how shifting temperatures and solar angles impacts the sunset. Check back to see additional workshops focusing on Pacific Northwest coastal ranges, forests, mountains, and fields.
Dynamic Portraiture: anatomy & Likeness
Learn the what makes each face unique, from the inside out
We’ll explore how to see each individual’s unique anatomy in order to gain a deeper understand of what makes someone look like “themselves”. We’ll learn how to spot millimeter differences in the growth of each individual’s bone structure, as influenced by jaws, teeth, and muscles of the skull and how these things impact the soft tissues and facial features. With this understanding you’ll be able to construct portraits that feel dimensional, alive, and true to your subjects. Led by an artist with over 25 years of experience, this class is lecture-driven and includes:
Weekly illustrated talks on craniofacial anatomy
Live drawing demonstrations with real-time observation
Targeted assignments that build skill and accuracy