Abstract Composition in Landscape

This workshop combines composition, landscape and abstraction so that students can improve technique, strengthen compositions and explore the landscape through forms of abstraction. Cynthia will show examples from art history as well as her own work. The first day we will sketch in the field, reviewing composition and value. The second day we will develop paintings begun in the field and discuss composition, concept and color. The third day we will explore possibilities of abstraction and develop each artist's personal expression. Examples at the beginning and critiques at the end of each day will provide inspiration and feedback. We will complete three paintings and several drawings.

Cynthia Herron has taught college-level art classes since 1995 and is currently teaching at Chemeketa Community College and her own studio in Salem. She enjoys sketching outdoors, then creating abstract landscape paintings using oils and/or acrylics. Cynthia loves working with color and sharing her knowledge with painters of all levels of experience. Her memoir Paint By Number, explores how she tended her artistic journey and found her voice as a painter. Her work can be found at Freed Gallery, Bush Barn Gallery and Fog Forest Gallery in New Brunswick.

ESSENTIAL:

• Sketchbook, any size

• Pencil or pen

• Ruler

• Small set of colored pencils, watercolor crayons, or oil pastels

• Plastic water container (for acrylic painters)

• Gamsol (for oil painters)

• 3 panels or canvases (2) 11" x 14" and (1) 16" x 20"

• Disposable palette 9" x 12"

• Brushes: one #8 round, one 1/2" flat, one 1" flat, one 2" wide brush

• Palette knife for mixing paint

• Palette knives for painting, if desired

• Apron or old shirt to work in

• Rags or paper towels

• 5-6 photos or sketches to work from

• Folding chair for outdoor sketching (optional)

• Camera or cell phone for photos (optional)

• Paint: set of tubes containing these hues:

• Titanium white

• Cadmium yellow or hansa yellow opaque

• Cadmium red light or napthol red

• Alizerin Crimson or Quinachridone red

• Phthalo blue

• Ultramarine blue

• Viridian green

• Sap green

• Raw sienna

• Burnt sienna

• Raw umber

• One tube of a color you wouldn't normally use and any other colors you want to bring

INSTRUCTOR PROVIDES:

• Viewfinders

• Color wheels

• Handouts/information sheets

• Artist's tape

• Vine charcoal

• Tracing paper

• Graphite paper

• Fixative

• Paint chips

• Nitrile gloves

• Books and examples