Barry Jeter, Plein Air Watercolor or Oil Series at Gilfillan Farm

On July 31 and August 1, we have a rare opportunity to paint on the grounds of Gilfillan Farm in Upper St. Clair (next to Westminster Church). Then, on August 2 6-9 PM there will be a "wet paint" sale of work completed during the class or a prior plein air event at Gilfillan Farm. There will also be food and music. Register here for the wet paint sale.

Note: the paint out will be held rain or shine (there are several porches in case of rain). No refunds unless we can fill your spot from the waitlist. The lower gate by the garden opens at 9:30 for check-in and parking and closes at 4:30. If you have mobility issues, indicate so during registration and we can accommodate giving you access to the upper gate for drop-off and pick-up. Please observe the off-limits areas on the map you will be provided with on arrival.

The public is invited to view the artists at work.

Here are Barry's comments:

"Return to Gilfillan, En Plein Air"

Having taught several workshops at Gilfillan, and one as recent as last year, we return to this subject-rich location. Hope you can join us. Those workshops, as this one, were with the McMurray Art League, great times. This time around you can chose your medium, watercolor or oil. I will only have watercolors on my part but can help you with either medium. This class will center around several things but one of the main points I will try and get across while we are on location is to not be overwhelmed with so much subject matter and panorama views of the farm. We have to zero in on an item... could be a full landscape, could an old door or a door knob for that matter but isolating a subject and giving it your full attention is critical, otherwise you get caught up in too much. Of course this involves composition.... you may want to bring along "L" shaped croppers/viewfinders to help that process. I want to limit enrollment to no more that 12 students so that I can get around to each one. I will give a quick chat at the beginning of class and maybe point out a few things of interest on the property and then you can scout for subject matter and then set up and get started. I will be making my rounds, on my bicycle, to give pointers and help, and near the end of class we all gather for a class critique as usual.  Hope to see you there! 

"Special things to consider when painting out of doors"

• Pack a lunch with something to drink.
• Seating, if you like to paint sitting down.
• Easel, if you want a support for your painting (some watercolorists simply hold a watercolor block with no support)
• Water container and a waste water container.
• Oil painters MUST have containers for their thinner and zip lock bags for their paper towels and or rags.
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent, including tick spray
• Some artists use an umbrella, that's fine if you like, I have always found them somewhat cumbersome in that they have to be well supported or the wind or a quick breeze can shake your setup or take them away.  Sometimes it's best just to find a shady spot that you can work in.
• Sunglasses can help but they can change your colors.
• Dress appropriately for the day... if it's a cool day, you don't want to be chilly all day painting.

Watercolor supplies list here.
Oil supplies list here. 

Maximum class size: 12
Minimum class size: 8