Tuesdays, April 16 – June 11, 2024, 10:00 – 12:30pm
with J. Jordan Bruns
Alla prima means “at first attempt” and that first attempt of a color mixture or application of a paint stroke is critical when painting the great outdoors. As the sun moves across the sky, our painting method must be quick to capture all the moments of dramatic light and shadow. That’s why getting the paint stroke right the first time is so important. We’ll practice the three steps in creating a fresh plein air painting: 1) identification of the color, 2) mixing the color, and 3) putting the color in the right spot. In attending to these three things, you’ll preserve the spontaneity and energy in your plein air paintings.
Schedule of Classes:
Class 1) April 16- Introduction to Van Gogh’s plein air vocabular using ink, we’ll borrow the mark-making language of Vincent Van Gogh to describe the landscape. How does the mark separate one subject from another? How do you create space and depth from switching brushstrokes?
Location: Meet at Stone Tower Studio, Glen Echo Park
Materials – Pencil, watercolor paper, watercolor brush and acrylic ink (sepia ink is fine)
Class 2) April 23 – Appling Van Gogh’s mark
Materials – Pencil, watercolor paper, watercolor brush and “watercolor” ink (sepia ink is fine)
Location: Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, www.hillwoodmuseum.org
Class 3 April 30 – Appling Van Gogh’s mark
Materials – Pencil, watercolor paper, watercolor brush and “watercolor” ink (sepia ink is fine)
Location: Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, www.hillwoodmuseum.org
Class 4) May 7 – Plein Air Painting – Lecture: “Brush Types and Styles”- Demo in Mark Making (oil paint)
Location: Clara Barton House (shares Glen Echo Park Parking Lot)
Class 5) May 14 – Plein Air Painting
Location: Clara Barton House (shares Glen Echo Park Parking Lot)
Class 6) May 21 – Plein Air Painting
Location: Old Anglers Inn – 10801 Macarthur Blvd, Rockville, MD 20854
Class 7) May 28 – Lecture: “Color Exaggeration” – Plein Air Painting
Location: Old Anglers Inn – 10801 Macarthur Blvd, Rockville, MD 20854
Class 8) June 4 – Plein Air Painting
Location: Old Anglers Inn – 10801 Macarthur Blvd, Rockville, MD 20854
Class 9) June 11 – Final Critique/ Studio
Location: Stone Tower Studio
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. Painting locations will be decided in early 2024.