Plein Air with Patricia House

This session is for those new to Plein Air and those who want to improve their skills.

Have you ever thought about trying to paint outdoors? Patricia will walk you through the experience of painting outdoors. While it can be challenging, plein air is a great way to develop your artistic skills. ‘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. It will help you capture the world as you see it and rely less on photographs.

In this morning workshop, Patricia will guide you through her process. 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!

You’ll receive a handout with suggested Plein Air approaches and techniques. Patricia will be painting in oils but participants can work in acrylics, oils, gouache, 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 surface, such as canvas, canvas board, that you are comfortable painting on. I suggest working small such as something around 8x10”.

Paints: The paints that you currently own, but keep it simple, I recommend a limited palette. 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.

Clothing – come prepared for the environment, dress for the days weather, bring a hat, sunscreen (and bug spray), and raingear on hand – we can paint rain or shine if we are prepapred!

Don’t forget to bring some water to drink

About the Artist:
Patricia House is an accomplished oil painter who also explores other media. Working both in her home studio and en plein air, she captures everyday moments with a focus on composition, colour, and expressive brushwork. Her work has been exhibited in the Kamloops Art Council’s Art Exposed since 2014, earning several Honourable Mentions, and has appeared in the Kamloops Timeraiser and various Sun Peaks locations, including the Grand Hotel. Her painting Last Run was featured on the 2022 Sun Peaks holiday card. A proud Exhibiting Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Patricia has shown work across the Thompson-Okanagan and at the FCA gallery on Granville Island, receiving awards for her thoughtful and evocative pieces. Her art invites viewers to find meaning in the overlooked and beauty in the everyday.
Follow her @SkalleboStudio or visit www.skallebostudio.ca.