9 am - Noon
Topic: Historical Buildings
Location: Heights Theatre
339 W 19th Street
Houston, TX 77008
Free and for members only
Painting historical buildings is one of the most interesting and creative activities as it captures the charm and character of vintage architectural treasures. The transparency of watercolor allows for subtle shading, highlights, and unique textures emphasizing each building's unique features and the effects of light and shadow. By combining precise lines with soft washes, one can convey both the solidity and the timeless beauty of historical architecture, bringing the past to life on paper.
The Heights Theatre building is an Art Deco beauty. It sits among the shops and
restaurants on a busy stretch of W. 19th Street in the Heights. Art Deco, short for the French “Arts décoratifs” is a style of visual arts, architecture, and product design, that first appeared in Paris in the 1910s, and flourished in the United States and Europe during the 1920s to early 1930s.
This Plein Air event will focus on practicing cityscape perspective drawing and painting historical building(s).
Plein Air - Recommended Supply List: Plein Air - Supply List.docx
Below are some helpful YouTube video demos to practice at home before going to this event on location.
I hope you enjoy practicing in advance and are excited about our topic – painting historical buildings in Plein Air!
How to Draw Perspective – A Simple Guide and Sketching Tutorial by Toby at Sketch Loose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs9f9shBpNI
Cityscape Painting – En-Plein-Air Watercolor Demonstration by Liron Yanconsky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNk87oa6XnY
Perspective Drawing for Painters – Tips Tricks and Techniques by Liron Yanconsky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMgBUXfwS0g
How to Paint Architecture in Watercolor Loose Style – Painting Light and Mood by Nina Volk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKzkitSEUro
Watercolor Demonstration by Vladislav Yeliseyev
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmkHmBZfMD8
This historic neighborhood area has buildings from the late 1800s. Our focus will be on historical buildings, specifically painting the Heights Theatre and the surrounding structures. If you haven’t started practicing at home yet, be sure review the YouTube demonstrations.
Weather Channel forecast for Monday, September 16th: Sunny, High 94F, Low 76F, Winds 15 mph. Looks like it will be a beautiful day. The best views of the theatre are from the opposite side of the street. There could be some shade from the nearby buildings, but I would suggest planning to set up your own shade that you would like to have to paint comfortably outside. Personally, I’m going to bring a small easel umbrella that I will fix on the easel (to protect the paper from bright sunlight), a portable chair, my sunhat, sunscreen, and drinking water.
Format of the event: We will paint from 9:00 to 11:30 am. (I suggest arriving earlier to set up). At about 11:30 we will gather to review our paintings and provide constructive feedback to each other. Those who would like to join for lunch will go to Torchy’s Tacos that is located in front of the Heights Theatre across the street. Torchy’s Tacos address: 350 W 19th Street, Ste. A, Houston, TX 77008. Phone: (713) 595-8229.
Directions: I recommend using your navigator to direct you to “Heights Theatre.” On Google map, the address is 339 W 19th Street, Houston, TX 7708.
Parking: Free along 19th street.
