It’s a picture-perfect morning at Fred Howard Park and students are congregating on the north end for plein air painting class. Instead of congregating together, they spread out in search of their own inspiration. Each looking for whatever they deem the subject matter of the day to be.
Lisa made her way to the water’s edge only to promptly pivot 180 degrees putting her back to the frothy coastline. The palms and a path between them caught her attention.
One by one artists stake claim to their territory. Later, today’s instructor, Shawn Dell Joyce tells me, “You’ll have to go find John,” speaking of one of the students. “He’ll be hidden from the sun somewhere.”
Take a look at John, seen here exemplifying the “in the field” aspect of plein air painting.
Do not be intimidated by the language. Plein Air is simply the act of painting outdoors. You’ve seen it at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. You’ve seen it on the Italian coast. You’ve seen it in romantic comedies. In this case, the seagulls, sandpipers and terns of Tarpon Springs are twirling in the air while the gentle morning light sparkles like diamonds on the current as it shifts in hues of green and blue.
Class begins and everyone gathers round. One of the first topics is equipment. Instead of heavy, cumbersome set ups it is recommended first learn the basics of what you need and starting with that. “My friend” Lisa who I first met at the shoreline rejoices in ridding herself of heavy stuff and replacing it with light weight finds that do the trick.
Many artists are using ampersand board as their painting surface. This is an excellent idea because paper flies in the wind.
Moving on to today’s demonstration: Color values. Viewfinders are passed around with red cellophane to help simplify what the eye sees. The artists are encouraged to start with a value sketch, which should take ten minutes max. Start with the darkest dark and try to get five colors down for the value sketch.
Next, the group focuses on a notan study—a quick black and white sketch to show composition and where the focal point is.
You have about two hours before the light changes dramatically. The idea is to complete your plein air painting in that time.
Class wraps with a group critique. Each artist is asked to highlight two things about their own work that is “working” for them and an area that could use improvement. Other students chime in offering suggestions and positive affirmations. The mood is united and uplifting.
You can experience the Plein Air Mood, On February 19th, 2022, with an all-day event (outdoors of course ; – ) sponsored by the Pastel Society of Tampa Bay, called Beauty on the Bay. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
OR, you can check out DFAC’s next Plein Air Class by CLICKING HERE
Story & Photography by Leslie Joy Ickowitz