Richard Jordan teaches the proper ways to make realistic protrayals of water in this plein air workshop. Richard's decades of painting help him make this often-difficult subject easier and more pleasant for his students.
Richard writes, "This isn’t a class about painting pretty pictures; instead, we are on mission to improve. I care more that you understand the why and how of the process than to reach the end with a nice painting but have no clue how you got there." About his own artistic journey, Richard reports on his website, "I began plein air painting in 1997 and it changed my life. I knew I had found what my inner artist had longed for. ... In 2008, I formed the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan and continue to serve as its director today. I began teaching plein air workshops in 2013 and find them very energizing and beneficial to my own growth as an artist. "I study the works of the American Tonalists and American Impressionists. The Tonalists sought to capture mood and the spiritual harmony of nature, while the Impressionists were less concerned with emotion and instead painted the effects of light and shadow. Both schools relied heavily on plein air painting." Richard paints in oil but students may choose any medium. Learn more about Richard at artistrichardjordan.com. Note: No hiking is involved in this workshop; locations are just a few steps from parking. All levels of experience. Class limit is 12 students. |
Plein Air Painting
with Richard Jordan
Class Supply List
with Richard Jordan
Class Supply List
Regardless of the medium you choose, please bring your regular palette of colors. I suggest a few colors below, but you do not have to bring my entire palette.
If you plan to use watercolors or pastels, please bring a full range of colors dark to light, including the four colors in bold below, and at least four sheets of paper no larger than 12" x 16."
PAINT
Below is my basic oils palette, based on having a warm and a cool of each basic color.
Please ensure you have one tube each of the 4 colors listed in bold. These colors are the foundation to my darkest darks, which is a very important element in landscape painting.
1. White - Permalba Original
2. Buff Titanium
3. Naples Yellow
4. Cadmium Yellow Pale
5. Cadmium Yellow Deep
6. Cadmium Orange
7. Rose Madder - Can’t find it? Try Alizarine Crimson.
8. Manganese Blue
9. French Ultramarine Blue
10. Viridian
11. Sap Green
12. Transparent Red Oxide - Can’t find it? Try Burnt Sienna.
BRUSHES
I use natural hog bristle brushes, flats from Winsor & Newton or Dick Blick Masterstroke. Please have one brush each in sizes #8, #6, #4, and #2.
CANVAS
I paint plein air on Fredrix Red Label stretched canvas in sizes 9" x 12," 12" x 16" and 14" x 18." Please bring four canvas panels 12” x 16.” Note: These can be inexpensive panels. Tone your canvas lightly with a turpentine wash of Transparent Oxide Red or other earth color (warm sandy appearance) at least 2 days before the workshop.
TURPENTINE
I use Weber turpenoid because it’s odorless.
OIL MEDIUM
My oil medium is a mixture of 4 parts turpenoid to 1 part stand oil.
EASEL
Please bring a plein air easel. If you do not have one, try to borrow one from a friend. I have a couple of French easels I can loan, just let me know and I’ll be happy to bring it. THIS IS IMPORTANT:
If you have a new easel or have borrowed one, PLEASE take it outdoors and set it up 2 or 3 times, including everything you need to paint with, BEFORE the workshop. Figuring out how to set up an easel the day of the workshop kills valuable time.
If you plan to use watercolors or pastels, please bring a full range of colors dark to light, including the four colors in bold below, and at least four sheets of paper no larger than 12" x 16."
PAINT
Below is my basic oils palette, based on having a warm and a cool of each basic color.
Please ensure you have one tube each of the 4 colors listed in bold. These colors are the foundation to my darkest darks, which is a very important element in landscape painting.
1. White - Permalba Original
2. Buff Titanium
3. Naples Yellow
4. Cadmium Yellow Pale
5. Cadmium Yellow Deep
6. Cadmium Orange
7. Rose Madder - Can’t find it? Try Alizarine Crimson.
8. Manganese Blue
9. French Ultramarine Blue
10. Viridian
11. Sap Green
12. Transparent Red Oxide - Can’t find it? Try Burnt Sienna.
BRUSHES
I use natural hog bristle brushes, flats from Winsor & Newton or Dick Blick Masterstroke. Please have one brush each in sizes #8, #6, #4, and #2.
CANVAS
I paint plein air on Fredrix Red Label stretched canvas in sizes 9" x 12," 12" x 16" and 14" x 18." Please bring four canvas panels 12” x 16.” Note: These can be inexpensive panels. Tone your canvas lightly with a turpentine wash of Transparent Oxide Red or other earth color (warm sandy appearance) at least 2 days before the workshop.
TURPENTINE
I use Weber turpenoid because it’s odorless.
OIL MEDIUM
My oil medium is a mixture of 4 parts turpenoid to 1 part stand oil.
EASEL
Please bring a plein air easel. If you do not have one, try to borrow one from a friend. I have a couple of French easels I can loan, just let me know and I’ll be happy to bring it. THIS IS IMPORTANT:
If you have a new easel or have borrowed one, PLEASE take it outdoors and set it up 2 or 3 times, including everything you need to paint with, BEFORE the workshop. Figuring out how to set up an easel the day of the workshop kills valuable time.