Plein Air Oil Painting
July 27, 2024 (10am-4pm)
Painting from observation is so direct! Yes, there are many techniques and generalizations you can learn, but it can also be as simple as going outside, finding something that interests you, and painting what you see.
You will not learn rules or how-tos in this workshop. This is all about getting to know your tools so your experience can be even more direct and unencumbered. And your tools go way beyond your paints and brushes. Your understanding of color and the interplay between color and value are also tools. Knowing how to choose subjects that inspire you and ways to quickly and spontaneously plan your compositions are tools.
David will impart essential visual knowledge relating to value, color, and composition and ensure that you fully internalize each concept so that you can apply and test it during the workshop and in future plein-air painting adventures. Rather than learning rules, you will learn ways of looking to help you to see things you never noticed before. You will also learn to tap into your intuition and spontaneity, inspiring you to try things you would never have thought of trying.
In this 6-hour workshop we will start with a quick value sketch in oil paint and devote the remainder of the time to a full-color oil painting of the same subject. David will paint along with you and will be available for questions and guidance throughout the day.
Enjoy the company of fellow artists while you receive personalized guidance and paint directly from nature in a beautiful and lush setting.
David is passionate about getting people to try plein air painting for the first time as well as enriching and re-invigorating their current practice. This workshop is open to all levels of experience.
“Combining intuition and spontaneity with direct observation of nature is the best way to create fresh, compelling paintings immediately and to stay inspired and passionate for a lifetime.” – David Gordon
Fee: $125
If supplies are needed, reach out to us for a separate supply fee. The Smiley will supply beverages, but please bring your lunch. Bring your easel, or let us know if you need to borrow an easel for the workshop.
"I enjoyed a workshop with David Gordon in Springfield VT last week treMENDously!
"As a teacher/coach David was kind, patient and prepared with his expertise (in oil paint and watercolor). He had a plan for the shape of the full day workshop, and presented his ideas on colors and composition strategies which can help Art be an earnest and fun tale-telling and communication medium.
"David was calm, intuitive, and inspiring: accepting where I was in my personal art journey. He provided periodic input as the day passed, but didn’t overly hover. He was available and supportive! I would sincerely recommend any class of his to painters of all levels - his examples by other painters illustrated the points he was presenting and we were able to plunge into a few quick loosening-up exercises before generating a pretty complete painting by the end of the day!"
– Eiblis Goldings
David Gordon grew up in an artistic family and painting was a constant part of his life from a very early age. He received a BFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston where he first encountered plein air in a landscape painting class. He has explored many types of painting including abstract, figurative and train of consciousness. Over time his focus evolved more and more towards landscape painting, then plein air. Two years of painting in Hawaii were pivotal because the lush, tropical environment was so inspiring and because it allowed him to paint outdoors almost everyday all year round. This led to the creation of larger pieces painted solely outdoors in many sessions over the course of several weeks or a month or more.
David strives to accurately depict the light and textures of what he sees while maintaining a looseness and spontaneity that allow him to fully enjoy the process, something he values more than the final result. His process is grounded in intuition, direct observation, and constantly reinventing an approach and strategy to fit the subject and the present moment. His greatest aspiration is to share the inspiration and richness he feels from art, and to inspire others to engage in activities that light up their own inspiration.
With a deep respect for the environment, David is naturally drawn to paint on land that is being protected and well cared for, leading to relationships of mutual appreciation and collaboration with people and organizations dedicated to the protection and restoration of natural places.
“Combining intuition and spontaneity with direct observation of nature is the best way to create fresh, compelling paintings immediately and to stay inspired and passionate for a lifetime.”
