Teaching

Contact Thomas for rates and more information.

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Moonlight Nocturne Plein Air Painting Workshop

 

Develop your plein-air painting skills focusing on the art of capturing the “Feeling of Night” in a August workshop with artist Thomas Van Stein.

Learn techniques that will help deepen your understanding of how to articulate, “Night Light,” and how to express it more poetically on canvas. This hands-on plein-air workshop includes PowerPoint lectures focusing on historic and aesthetic context, an emphasis upon design and composition. Warm/cool color relationships, tonal harmony, unifying values, and the theory of relativity in art. There will be demonstrations on specific approaches to the nocturne concept of chiaroscuro. Basic choices of consistent palette and easel set-ups for easier lay-in, and painting development, plus finishing techniques; utilizing principles of glazing with transparent color in order to achieve greater atmosphere and glow.

Class is designed for any level of artist with plein-air painting experience. Participants must provide their own plein-air set-ups: including easels, palettes, brushes, mediums, and paints.   Oils, Acrylic, and Pastel mediums are accepted.

*Color-balanced booklights will be available for use.

Hours for Workshop:

 We will meet on two consecutive afternoons/evenings on location in safe areas along the beautiful Greenbelt flanking the Boise River, Idaho. Plus, final critique/finishing secession on the third day.

August 28:  6-10pm Meet on location

August 29:  6-10pm Meet on location

August 30:  12:00-2pm Final Critique, Finishing Demonstration PowerPoint

*August 30: Possibility of Moonset Painting 5am-8am (Depending on Weather)

$325/$285 for PAPI Members

*Prospectus provided upon enrollment

CONTACT: meg@finerframes.com



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I’ve been teaching art both privately and as an instructor for nearly 30 years. 

My methodology is mostly a classical/traditional approach to teaching painting/drawing techniques, with a strong emphasis on Value and Design. My philosophy is to be inspired by life, and seek inspiration through the learning/teaching process. I teach what I need to become aware of, and encourage the student to pursue the direction they are interested in; to find their passion, and drive to continue striving for their own inspiration.

Beginning Oil Painting -
Introduces, describes and applies the basic techniques of oil painting. Topics include: tools and materials, black/white values, color mixing and color theory, aerial/linear perspective, and subject matter including landscape, seascape, still life, portraiture and abstraction. Beginning and more advanced students are welcome. May include field trip sites for landscape painting experiences.

Painting Landscapes as Still-lifes: Elements in Plein Air -
Move away from realism and start painting landscapes as still-lifes. As you explore the elements involved in plein air painting, you'll develop fundamental skills in drawing and painting specific subjects in nature. Learn to mindfully interpret subjects with a stylized approach, and improve your ability to capture more eloquently the elements of the landscape - atmospheric conditions, clouds, rain affect, trees, rocks, mountains, wind and waves. Come away with enhanced skills and a new approach to landscape painting.

The Perfect Spot: Plein Air Painting for the Hearty and Adventurous -
Pack your paints and put on your hiking boots. Getting to the views that we will paint in this class is going to take a little work. The very special locations we will visit are only accessible by hiking/horseback riding trails. It is worth the effort, and you will see new vistas that will inspire you to paint your best work. Each class is a one of a kind experience that will challenge you physically as well as creatively. Guided on the trail and on the canvas by a teaching master artist, you will see and capture the Santa Barbara landscape in a way you have never done before.