Tuesdays, April 29 – June 24, 2025, 10:00 – 12:30pm
with J. Jordan Bruns
General to specific is a key approach for the Impressionists. They would often start with broad fields of color and gradually resolve them into a concrete painting. It’s a unique method and a fun challenge to leave the structure until the end. This class focuses on how to build a painting from the ground up while keeping colors fresh and vibrant throughout the process. No mud here! Minimum age 14. 9 sessions.
In event of rain, we’ll meet at the Stone Tower Studio 2nd floor. Lectures being planned in the event of rain are:
- Surface Preparation 2. Choosing a Palette 3. Mixing Useful Greens 4. Advanced Composition Understanding
Schedule of Classes:
Class 1) April 29- DEMO- Fields of Color, building a painting though fields of color and wet into wet painting
Location: Meet at Stone Tower Studio, Glen Echo Park
Class 2) May 6 – Plein Air Painting – (lecture at Studio) “Mixing Greens”
Location: Meet at Stone Tower Studio, Glen Echo Park
Class 3 May 13 – Plein Air Painting
Location: Meet at Stone Tower Studio, Glen Echo Park
Class 4) May 20 – Plein Air Painting
Location: McCrillis Gardens, 6910 Greentree Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20817
Class 5) May 27 – Plein Air Painting
Location: McCrillis Gardens, 6910 Greentree Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20817
Class 6) June 3– Plein Air Painting
Location: McCrillis Gardens, 6910 Greentree Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20817
Class 7) June 10 – Plein Air Painting
Location: Garrett Park (Near Black Market Bistro)
Class 8) June 17 – Plein Air Painting
Location: Garrett Park (Near Black Market Bistro)
Class 9) June 24 – Plein Air Painting
Location: Garrett Park (Near Black Market Bistro)
Suggested Material List for Oil Paint
This is predominantly an oil painting class but if you would like to use a different medium, that’s totally fine with me! I have an extensive background in most 2D mediums and am happy to work with you one on one.
Palette
Oil painters- I recommend a BIG wood pallet for studio work or one attached to plein air box. If you are in the market for a new setup, let me know and I can talk to you in more detail
Surface
*4-6 canvas boards/panels/canvases
I only paint on panel now, but you are welcome to use canvas if you prefer the light weight properties. I make my own, but panels made by “Ampersand” with a ¾” cradle are very comparable. One day paintings can be small sizes (between 10×10 and 16×16). Format and orientation are up to you and your subject matter.
Brushes- (suggested)- Natural Hair Brushes or Synthetic Brushes
Typically, I use expensive sable brushes but great options are “Winsor Newton Monarch Synthetic” or Jack Richardson “Grey Matter” brushes, you can use any brand you like as long as they are “oil or acrylic” brushes and have a long handle. For alla prima, I prefer synthetic or nature sable hair. I like a variety of brushes like filbert, round, and flat brushes.
Cleaners
“Master’s Brush Cleaner and Preserver” soap disk
“Gamsol” mineral spirits
Brush cleaning tank – to put Gamsol in, OR you can make this with an old salsa jar and chicken wire
Mediums (what you add to increase the paint “flow”)
“Alkyd” Walnut oil (made by M.Graham) or just Walnut Oil (artist grade, not from grocery store)
Medium cup (Or small baby food jar to hold medium)
Other
Metal Pallet knife/painting knife (Liquitex brand, #12, #13 or #14) no plastic knives
Something to carry everything, (art box, French easel, portfolio, back back, etc)
Paper Towel (I like to Scott, blue paper towel, you can buy at Costco or hardware store)
Suggested Oil Paint Colors (small tubes, 37-40ml) My favorite brand is “M. Graham Paint” especially the earth tones. I also like Holbein and Gamblin brands to fill in the gaps of paint colors not covered my M. Graham. Williamsburg paint is also really nice and has a tone of great colors.
Cadmium Lemon Yellow (optional), Cadmium Yellow Medium, Cadmium Orange (optional), Cadmium Red, Quinacridone Magenta, (Permanent) Alizarin Crimson (optional), Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue, Viridian Green, Sap Green (optional), Naples Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Siena, Burnt Umber, Ivory Black, Titanium White (Big tube)
Other (fantastic) colors – Bohemian Earth Green (Williamsburg brand), Juane Brilliant (as a substitute for Naples Yellow), Flake White (as a substitute for Titanium White), Cobalt Teal (Gamblin), Cadmium Green Pale or Cinnabar Green (Williamsburg), Radiant Blue (Gamblin)
UMBRELLA- GET ONE: This is to protect you and the canvas from the sun.
One option – “Sport-Brella Versa-Brella SPF 50+ Adjustable Umbrella with Universal Clamp” – Amazon for $30
Or if you already know you want to do plein air a lot… “Easy L” makes a great one
http://www.artworkessentials.com/products/UMK-45/UMK45.htm
Additional Defense Against the Great Outdoors
Sunscreen, Allergy Meds, Bug Spray OR Better yet “Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller”, Sun Visor or Hat, Bottle of Water, Snacks,
Bull Dog Clips, Bungee Cords, Collapsible Stool, business cards to hand out (ya never know)
NOTE: Note that this is a VERY fluid and flexible schedule. When the weather is lousy, I would prefer to lecture and work on growth exercises rather than struggle though paintings that will never be my best. I will send a weekly email but please check your email in the AM if the weather looks iffy. I will also pass out my cell number to students the first day of class. I also am not scheduling classes for Thursday, so there might be impromptu classes on Thursdays this spring.