Summer School program at Warrnambool

Course Overview

Introduction to En Plein Air Painting is an intensive hands-on painting and drawing workshop that offers students the challenges and benefits of working from direct observation. The term en plein air, literally means' in the open air'. It describes a tradition of painting conducted outside the studio directly from 'nature'. Instruction will include studio tutorials and demonstrations along with painting and drawing expeditions conducted on site. The picturesque setting of the Warrnambool Campus will serve as an ideal location for exploring landscape themes.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Learn how to observe, analyse and interpret complex 3 dimensional visual information and translate this into coherent pictorial terms;
• Develop a practical knowledge of pictorial and painterly strategies, visual language. Particular emphasis on composition, colour, surface, and mark making;
• Gain an appreciation of pre-twentieth century and contemporary plein air painting practice
• Develop an appreciation of painting 'from life' as both an important learning tool and as a rich source of creative ideas and inspiration.
• Appreciate the shared learning experiences and social aspects of working with others outdoors.

 

Dates

12 - 15 January 2009 (4 days)
9.30am - 1.30pm

 

Workshop schedule

Day	Materials required	Topics / Activities
1	Visual diary/sketch book Graphic drawing materials	Introduction to the workshop Plein air drawing in journals
2	Stretched canvas and painting materials Visual diary	Introduction to painting the landscape Instruction/demonstration in 'building' or 'constructing' a painting. Principles of colour and practical colour mixing.
3	Stretched canvas and painting materials Visual diary	On site painting expeditions, ongoing feedback and practical demonstrations
4	Stretched canvas and painting materials Visual diary	On site painting, discussion of work, self evaluation, appreciation of the visual.

Participants are most welcome to stay and paint after the conclusion of class each day.

 

About the instructor

Simon Grennan
Simon is an artist and educator, working in the disciplines of painting and printmaking.

He received his Bachelor of Fine Art degree from the Queensland College of Art in 1995 where he continued to lecture in printmaking and drawing for a number of years. His work is held in both public and private collections throughout Australia.

His current research at Deakin has lead to an emphasis on more experiential approaches to teaching and learning, particularly field work that extends beyond the traditional classroom/ studio space. Simon is currently an associate lecturer in visual arts at Deakin University where he teaches painting and drawing. His current studio practice explores landscape themes. He is particularly interested in the durability of this tradition and its relationship to both evolutionary psychology and popular culture.

 

Materials

Participants will need to bring the following:
• Range of graphite pencils: HB, B, B2, B4 and sharpener
• A4 Visual Diary/ visual journal (i.e. your sketch book - pages should not be too smooth or too textured)
• Acrylic or oil paints, or both. (if using oil paint, painting medium will be provided – bring some glass jars
for storage. Recommended basic palette: Pthalocynine Blue, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, White, Yellow
Ochre, and Burnt Umber
• Brushes - sizes # 2 # 4 # 8 # 12. (Very important that you buy reasonably good quality brushes. One good
brush is better than 20 cheap ones!)
• 1 large flat palette (not the ones with the paint mixing ‘wells’ in them)
• Painting rags
• Umbrella
• Wide brim hat
• Sun screen
• Insect repellent
• Extra jacket/ rain coat
• Garbage bags
• View finder (optional but maybe useful)
• Water bottles

 

Fees

$295.00 (GST Inc) per person

Registration

Please complete the Registration form (25KB) and forward with payment details to:

Jan McCosh
Faculty of Arts and Education
Deakin University
PO Box 423
Warrnambool
Victoria 3280
Fax: 03 556 33534
Email: jan.mccosh@deakin.edu.au
Phone: 03 556 33314

Short course enquiries:
artsed-shortcourses@deakin.edu.au
Jan McCosh 03 5563 3314 Warrnambool	Anne Roubin 03 9244 3901 Melbourne