Description
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to turn plein air pencil sketches into effective watercolor landscape paintings with the guidance of instructor Deb van Poolen, who is both an experienced artist and wilderness field guide. They will focus on observing natural light and color in the context of local ecology, and how to translate those observations into their artwork. Using various watercolor techniques, they will create compositions that emphasize texture, movement, and perspective. Participants will sketch and paint on the Sitka campus or nearby land, just a short 15-minute drive away, drawing inspiration from the natural surroundings to enhance their landscape paintings.
About the Instructor
Deb Van Poolen began her art career in the mid-90’s exhibiting watercolor paintings at the Lithia Artisans Market in Ashland, Oregon. Since then she has taught realistic drawing and watercolor to students of all ages in classrooms, art centers and her home studio. Deb is now creating large, educational paintings featuring the biodiversity of the Cascade-Klamath-Siskiyou region which encompasses Southwestern Oregon, her current home. She has also been an organic farmer, Ladakh Program Coordinator for the International Society of Ecology and Culture, and field staff for the Three Rivers Wilderness Therapy program. When not painting, Deb is probably surfing, skiing or gardening.
Learn More
www.biodiversityarts.com
Materials List
You will need to bring:
Watercolor Block 140lb Cold Press 10×14
Watercolor Brushes – 12 & 8 Round
Water Container
Field Easel
Field Watercolor Palette
Pencil
Kneaded Eraser
8″x10″ Sketchbook
Provided by instructors:
Two viewfinders, composed of a 4″ x 6″ mat and an 8″ x 10″ mat with acetate taped on (as a window with crosshatch marks dividing the space into four quadrants)