2014 Workshops
The Landscape Atelier
March 31-April 7, 2014
$795 workshop fee includes 50+ page Class Notebook
The Landscape Atelier is a new concept in the study of landscape painting. Ateliers (French, meaning the workshop or studio of an artist) were common in 19th century Europe where students would typical enter an established artist’s studio for training, often in a classical, academic mode. This study took place over the course of many years, building the student’s skills through progressive training in drawing from casts, copying masters, drawing from life, then painting from life.
Drawing on this tradition, The Landscape Atelier is an eight day workshop designed to provide students with a start to finish methodology for creating luminous landscapes, based on observation of Nature, drawing and sketching in the field, design and composition, to underpainting, and indirect painting techniques in the studio.
Working from Nature and direct observation is the time honored way to learn how to paint landscapes. Unfortunately, many aspiring landscape painters miss the essential first step: learning to draw and sketch in the field. If you are unable to draw the landscape you will have a much more difficult time learning to paint it convincingly. Most classes and workshops jump into plein air painting without giving students any tools to make a success of their efforts. This course is designed to give you the tools to draw and sketch in the field with confidence, leading to better, finished work in the studio.
Based on 19th century methods, this workshop will start with the basics of field sketching and observation in the field, showing students how this way of preliminary study and work can not only deepen your knowledge and understanding of your subject, but increase your powers of observation, eventually leading to an increased ability to work from memory and imagination.
Two days of field sketching will be followed by a day in the studio working on design and composition, using the reference gathered in the field. Landscape design principles will be studied and students will learn to use thumbnail sketches and value studies to work out their compositions.
The next five days in the studio will take the student through the indirect painting process, starting with underpainting, moving on to techniques of glazing, scumbling, velaturas and glaze impasto, and color mixing. Daily demonstrations of each stage of the process, will be supplemented by lectures, study of master works, art history, practical studio advice on materials and methods and the business of art.
Workshop Location
This workshop will be held in Clarksville, Texas. Northeast Texas is a beautiful location with a rural landscape characterized by rolling hills, pastures and fields, streams and ponds and large forests of southern hardwoods and pine. Early April will provide us with comfortable, mild weather and a beautiful spring landscape . We will go into the field to work in the numerous locations available including Lennox Woods, an old growth southern hardwood forest and the subject of my solo show in 2014.
The working studio will be our new gallery/studio location on the historic square in Clarksville which will easily accomodate a class of up to 15 students, and which is equipped with a kitchen and bathroom facilites. A large art library at my studio will be available to students during the week. Students will receive a 50+ page class notebook chock full of information.
Who Should Take This Class? This class is intended for intermediate to advanced oil painters. It is suggested but not required that students take my Field Sketching and Luminous Landscape online courses prior to taking this workshop.
Advanced students (those who have studied with me before) are welcome to bring works in progress (under paintings, etc) with them. I will work with each student individually on particular areas of study they wish to emphasize.
Travel & Lodging
The closest airport to Clarksville is Dallas-Ft. Worth, which is about 2.5 hours away. Shuttle service to Clarksville can be arranged. Lodging in Clarksville consists of several options. There is a comfortable B&B, the Courthouse Inn. For those looking for economical accommodations and willing to share, there are a number of guest cottages and cabins which will be available. Lodging information will be provided and we will assist you in this process. There are also several options for RV camping in and around Clarksville.
$150 deposit due at registration.
Register by clicking on the Buy Now Button below!
Workshop Cancellations
~All cancellations must be in writing. There are no exceptions.
~A non-refundable deposit of $150 is required at registration. Deposits will only be refunded in the event a class is canceled .
~Payment in full is due sixty days before your class begins. Cancellations received 60 days in advance will receive a full refund (less the $150 deposit); Cancellations received less than 60 days in advance forfeit the entire workshop fee. No refund will apply.
~In the event a workshop does not reach minimum enrollment and is canceled, all payments and deposits will be refunded in full.
~ These policies apply for all workshops organized by Deborah Paris. For workshops sponsored or organized by third parties, please refer to their cancellation policies.