In the Garden: Open Air Painting at The House of the Seven Gables with Sue Grillo
May 29, 2016 at The House of the Seven Gables from noon – 3pm
This workshop is open to EVERYONE
We're taking it outside in the "open air".
The French phrase en plein air, literally "in the open air."
The style developed among French impressionists c.1870.
The House of Seven Gables garden is in full bloom.
Painting outside "in full air" this time of year in this historic and special place is a real treat.
We'll be exploring the process of painting through the changes of the day and atmosphere as the hours go by.
Plein Air painting is a study on natural shadow and light, so the environment is subject to quickly changing light and cloud formations as well as the greetings by curious onlookers that shift the focus off painting. We'll work toward a finished piece working with these elements.
Instructor Information
This is Sue Grillo's 4th artist in residence with the Salem Arts Association at the House of the Seven Gables. Majoring in Illustration at the School of Visual Arts and getting her B.F.A. from the Studio for Interrelated Media at The Massachusetts College of Art & Design, she comes to Plein Air Painting with a deep appreciation of surrounding herself with the beauty that is The House of the Seven Gables and the ability and willingness to interact with the elements and the other interruptions that come in between capturing an image of a passing day on canvas or paper.
Sue Grillo uses her experience of teaching a wide audience of students over the last 15 years and her experiences with working at the House of the Seven Gables “En Plein” for the last 4 years to guide you through the process. She'll help you choose and isolate an image to focus on, assisting you with a basic approach to a landscape and perspective.
Since the workshop will be limited to three hours, we suggest bringing materials that can be managed within that time.
This is a tutorial on painting and drawing in the elements. The workshop isn't appropriate for photography since we'll be in one area of the garden for the duration of the workshop.
We'll have chairs, tables and some easels available
Participants should bring:
- Medium of choice such as:
- Paint (oils, acrylic, watercolor, gauche)
- A place to mix your paint (such as paper plates, a disposable palette paper
- pad or a standard reusable paint palette)
- Pastels (oil or chalk)
- Drop cloth
- Containers for water
- Rags or paper towels
- Pencil
- Markers
- A bungee cord to hold down your easel if it's windy
- Tape
- Dress in layers for the changing weather.
- Bring some water to drink and to clean your brushes
There are snack/vending machines in the lobby at the House of the Seven Gables
