“Glacier Creek Thaw”
Fundamentals of Outdoor Painting with Lorenzo Chavez
August 29 - September 1, 2023
9 am - 4 pm
$710 + 7% NM sales tax
About the Workshop
Skill level: Intermediate through experienced. Students should be comfortable walking 1/4 of a mile and able to carry and set up their own gear.
Materials used: Lorenzo teaches in oil and pastel but watercolor, acrylic, and gouache are also welcome.
Workshop Description: This will be mainly a Plein air class only going indoors if needed due to wind or storms. Daily demonstrations of small "on-the-spot" pastel/oil painting. Workshop conducted between hours of 9 am to 4 pm. We may take longer afternoon breaks and meet around 3 pm to catch the beautiful golden light before sunset. Students are asked to bring photographic references and/or sketches for indoor use in case of inclement weather.
Day 1
Morning:
Discussion of materials for plein air painting in pastel and oil
Discussion on the use of focal point-center of interest, leading the eye through movement in a painting, simplifying and composing (indoors only).
Visual Elements
Thumbnail compositional studies
The use of four value planes in nature
The seven principals of design
Afternoon (outdoor weather permitting):
Plein air demonstration incorporating the topics discussed during morning session
Day 2 (outdoor weather permitting)
Discussion of values and their application on atmospheric perspective in painting
Plein air demonstration incorporating this topics and review of topics covered during day 1
Day 3 (outdoor weather permitting)
Discussion of:
Color—the color wheel, color harmony and working with a limited palette.
Edges—the study of edges in nature and analyzing their contrasts.
Direct Light - its influence on the landscape.
Reflected Light—what causes reflected light and their color effects.
Sky Light—sky lights effect on the colors of nature.
Plein air demonstration incorporating these topics and review of topics covered during day 2.
Day 4 (outdoor weather permitting)
Discussion of:
Form—the five degrees of light and the use of edge control to create form.
Notan—creating pattern and design with black and white
Plein air demonstration incorporating this topics and review of topics covered during Day Three.
About Lorenzo
Lorenzo Chavez was born and raised in the southern most point of the Rockies in New Mexico. His first inspirations and foundation as a young artist were formed by the local landscape and the art history in New Mexico. Lorenzo now makes his home in Parker, Colorado and uses this location as a base to travel and paint the American West and Southwest.
Through the years, while searching for subject matter, he realized there are many similarities throughout the Rockies. The deep blue of the vaulting sky, majestic cloud formations, rabbit brush, chamisa, pinon, pine and juniper, the willows that line the stream banks, the granite in the mountain ranges, aspens and the endless seas of grasses are continuing inspirations.
“Secret Garden”
Using pastel and oil mediums, his hope is to carry on the art traditions of American painters such as the Taos Society of Artists and the American Impressionists.
Lorenzo Chavez was featured in a successful one-man show at the C.M. Russell Museum and has participated successfully in several C.M. Russell Art Auctions. Feature articles have appeared in Southwest Art, Art of the West, American Artist Magazine, Plein Air Magazine, Artists Magazine, Western Art Review, American Art Review, Pastel Journal, and Denver Post.
Eight art books feature his art: Les Mitres de Art France, Painted Sky, Art Journey America Landscapes, Colorado Landscapes, and Pure Color: The Best of Pastel 1 &2 and Plein Air New Mexico.
Lorenzo is a nationally known Fine Art instructor who has taught numerous workshops across the United States since 1993. Lorenzo is represented by many major fine art galleries and many private and corporate collections both nationally and internationally.
What’s Included
Every workshop at Bluebird Studios includes a mix of complimentary food and beverages. Included are the following:
Ice breaker with non-alcoholic beverages and appetizers to set up the gear and get a briefing of the week.
Complimentary continental breakfast each morning: Yogurt, fruit, coffee, teas, juices, hard-boiled eggs, and pastries
Coffee, hot and/or iced tea, lemonade, soft drinks, sparkling waters, and fruit-infused still water are available all-day
Catered lunch brought into the studio or painting location for $15 each day (optional)
Complimentary afternoon treats
Complimentary lunch of chili Frito pie on the last day with a veggie platter
Supplies
The supply list for this class can be opened via the button below and printed at your convenience.