This session is for those new to Plein air or those who want to improve their skills. Patricia will walk you through the experience of painting outdoors.

You will learn how to select a good composition from the view around you, learn to see and paint values, colours and light, deliberate brush work, and more!

‘Plein Air’ painting can significantly improve your studio art and show you how to see differently, by learning to see simple shapes rather than objects.

You’ll receive a handout with Patricia’s Plein Air techniques.

Patricia will be painting in oils but participants can work in acrylics, oils or watercolour.

Bring your usual plein air kit. If you are new to plein or painting here is suggested list:

Small Sketchbook: A blank page sketchbook for writing notes and compositional sketching. Don’t forget a pen or a pencil and a black Sharpie marker.
Easel: Any plein air setup (e.g., french easel or a plein air pochade setup).
Surfaces: One or two canvas/canvas boards you are comfortable painting on. I suggest 8x10”, 9x12” or 11x14”. If you are comfortable with working on a larger size please bring one.
Paints: The paints that you currently own. You likely have what is needed for a basic palette of a warm and cool of each primary colour (e.g., Ultramarine blue and Cobalt or Phthalo Blue; Cadmium Yellow Light and Yellow Ochre; Alizarin Crimson and Cadmium Red Light) plus burnt sienna or iron oxide and white. Email Patricia if you have questions.
Brushes: A selection of brushes from ¼” to 1”is preferred. Flats, filberts or rounds. Don't forget your mineral spirits or water for cleaning. If painting in oil, odourless mineral spirits only. No exceptions even though we are outside. Gamsol is highly recommended. Acrylic artists may want to bring retardant medium to extend drying time of their paints.
Palette knife: One or two palette knives. Not mandatory.

Presenters bio:

Patricia House works primarily in oil, though occasionally dabbles in other media. She
paints both in her home studio and plein air (outside from life). She has competed in
Kamloops Art Battles and has been a finalist. She has exhibited at the Kamloops Art
Council’s Art Exposed since 2014 and has been recognized with several Honourable
Mentions. Her paintings have been selected for the Kamloops Timeraisers for their
volunteer hour auctions. She has had works displayed with the Art Zone at Sun Peaks
in the Grand Hotel, Guests Service and Tourism office. Her painting “Last Run” was
selected for the 2022 Sun Peaks card image. She is an ‘Exhibiting’ member of the
Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) with works accepted to hang in FCA shows
throughout the Thompson-Okanagan as well as their Granville Island gallery. With the
FCA, she has received awards for her work in Shape and Form (2020) - Honourable
Mention and the TNSC Spring Show (2023) - First Place.
She is drawn to the overlooked yet significant. She feels the need to identify the
connections that the mundanity brings to our understanding of the expanse as a whole.
It provides an anchor point that she celebrates in her work. She wants her viewers to
rekindle memories of themselves with everyday experiences and objects. How does she
make the mundane special for the viewer? The connection begins with the creation of a
focused composition. Colour then brings the mundane to the spotlight while
brushstrokes are used to play between the full story and abstraction.
Follow her on Facebook or Instagram @SkalleboStudio