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• Plein Air for Members

  • When
    November 11, 2024
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Sam Houston Park

  Register

  

  
  

  Plein Air for Members

  Alla Adams, Coordinator

  
  

  Monday, November 11 (Veteran's Day)

  9 am - Noon
  

  Topic:  Flowing Fountain

  Location:   Scanlan Fountain in Sam Houston Park, 1000 Bagby Street

  Houston, TX 77002
  

  
  

  Additional information is emailed to those who register.
  

  
  

  Painting a flowing fountain in bright sunlight with watercolor captures the dynamic interplay of light, water, and structure. How to go about it? You might want to begin by sketching the fountain's form, paying attention to the details of its design and the surrounding environment. Use light, transparent washes to depict the sparkle of sunlight on the water, highlighting the fountain's streams and splashes. Bright, warm tones can illustrate the sunny atmosphere, while cooler, translucent blues and greens can convey the clarity and movement of the water. The contrast between the bright highlights and the deep shadows in the fountain's structure and water creates a sense of depth and realism. The fluidity of watercolor beautifully portrays the fountain's lively, ever-changing nature, capturing both the stillness of its form and the motion of the water.

  Scanlan Fountain is a cast iron fountain in Sam Houston Park. The fountain was cast by J. L. Mott Iron Works in 1891 and held by a private individual before being donated to the city of Houston by the family of the owner.  It was installed in the park in 1972.

  This Plein Air event will focus on painting a flowing fountain.

  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. With YouTube videos, I usually first watch the entire demo to see the result and make notes of important points. Then, I start the video again and paint along. I like the convenience of YouTube demos that they can be paused and so I can paint and learn in my pace.

  I hope you enjoy practicing in advance and are excited about our topic – painting a flowing fountain in Plein Air!

  University of Lund, the Fountain, a Watercolor Painting by Erik Lundgren

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMwTIvx7p6c

  Fountain in watercolor by Grant Fuller

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcy3bNGmuFo

  Full Watercolor Demo: Pool and Fountain in a Madrid Park by Tim Wilmot

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrZ6m_ZT0yA

  Kingfisher Water Splash in Watercolor Painting by Kembart Drawing

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVamGjiR5d8

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• Plein Air for Members

  • When
    November 25, 2024
  •  
    11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Kemah

  Register

  

  Plein Air for Members

  Alla Adams, Coordinator

  Monday, November 25

  11 am - 2 pm
  

  Topic:  Boats

  Location:  Kemah

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Additional information is emailed to those who register.

  
  

  Painting a boat in water under bright sunlight with watercolor beautifully captures the vibrant interplay of light and reflections. How to go about it? You might want to start with a light pencil sketch to outline the boat's shape and position on the water. Use bold, warm tones for the boat to highlight the sunlit areas, and softer, cooler colors to suggest shadows and contours. The water can be rendered with fluid, transparent washes of blue and green, capturing the shimmering reflections of the boat and the play of light on the water's surface. Pay attention to the bright highlights where the sunlight strikes, and use soft edges to blend the boat with its reflection, creating a realistic sense of water's movement. The translucent nature of watercolor lends itself perfectly to depicting the clarity and sparkle of the scene, making the boat appear both solid and part of the shimmering landscape.

  This Plein Air event will focus on painting boats.

  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. With YouTube videos, I usually first watch the entire demo to see the result and make notes of important points. Then, I start the video again and paint along. I like the convenience of YouTube demos that they can be paused and so I can paint and learn in my pace.

  I hope you enjoy practicing in advance and are excited about our topic – painting boats in Plein Air!

  Secrets of Paining Watercolor Outdoors by Andy Evansen

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYNWmOZTTpU

  Virtual Demo, Lighthouse Plein Air Festival by Vladislav Yeliseyev

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDd8pCh2Vdg

  How to Paint Watercolor Landscape Painting by Joseph Zbukvic

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpth9P7diOo

  How to Paint Many Boats in a Seascape: Step by Step Process of Painting a Complex Scene by Ina Xi

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vFGbp9BkFM

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• Plein Air for Members

  • When
    December 09, 2024
  •  
    11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Galveston, TX

  Register

  Plein Air for Members

  Alla Adams, Coordinator

  Monday, December 9 

  11 am - 2 pm

  Topic:  Nature Scene

  Location:  Galveston, TX

  
  

  
  

  Additional information is emailed to those who register.

  
  

  Painting cranes in a natural scene with watercolor allows for a graceful representation of these elegant birds in serene landscape. How to go about it? You might want to begin by sketching the cranes, focusing on their distinctive shapes and poised postures. Use soft, delicate washes for their plumage, capturing the subtle interplay of light and shadow on their feathers. For the surrounding environment, apply gentle hues of green, blue, and brown to depict wetlands, tall grasses, or reflective water bodies. The fluidity of watercolor is ideal for rendering the tranquil atmosphere of the scene, with the cranes standing out against the soft, natural background. Pay special attention to the reflection of the cranes in the water, if present, and the soft blending of colors to convey the peacefulness and harmony of nature. The result will be a harmonious composition that highlights the beauty and elegance of cranes in their natural habitat.

  Sandhill Cranes come to winter in Galveston. About a few hundred of these elegant birds take advantage of the milder climate and plentiful food resources on the island. In Galveston, they are called affectionately Sandies. Like most cranes, Sandies are monogamous and mate for life, spending 20-30 years together year-round, so it is likely that many of our winter visitors have been returning to Galveston year after year for decades.

  This Plein Air event will focus on painting a nature scene and Sandhill Cranes.

  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. With YouTube videos, I usually first watch the entire demo to see the result and make notes of important points. Then, I start the video again and paint along. I like the convenience of YouTube demos that they can be paused and so I can paint and learn in my pace.

  I hope you enjoy practicing in advance and are excited about our topic – painting a nature scene and Sandhill Cranes in Plein Air!

  5 Techniques for Painting Grasses in Watercolor by Paul Clark

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7xH3dIoElg

  Watercolor Techniques – Dry Brush Painting Flowers and Grasses by Wendy Powel-Jones

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBMmcoPbXYY

  Simple Watercolor Landscape Painting Using Only One Brush by Karen Rice

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0R3_uGgzuM

  How to Paint Elegant Sandhill Cranes in Watercolor by Morgaine Rose

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIEPg1jAkRA

  Atmospheric Watercolor Wetland Marsh and Cranes by Lois and Morgaine Davidson

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=LBetUhxyU_s 

  Sandhill Crane Portrait: Transparent Watercolor Time-lapse by Bohan Art

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGcF9XK_buM

  Sandhill Cranes Scientific Illustration Techniques in Watercolor by Steven Melendrez

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd6H_GL-JEY

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• Plein Air for Members

  • When
    December 21, 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Bayou Bend Gardens

  Register

  

  Plein Air for Members

  Alla Adams, Coordinator

  Saturday, December 21 

  10 am - 1 pm

  Topic:  Buildings, Gardens, People

  Location:  Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, 6003 Memorial Drive

  Houston, TX  77007

  Opens at 10 am

  
  

  Additional information is emailed to those who register.

  
  

  Painting a mansion and its garden in watercolor provides an opportunity to capture the grandeur and elegance of the architecture along with the natural beauty of the landscape. How to go about it? You might want to begin by sketching the mansion's architectural features, such as columns, windows, and intricate details, then use light washes to establish the overall color scheme. Gradually build up layers to add depth and texture to the building, highlighting its materials and the play of light and shadow. For the garden, apply vibrant greens and florals, using a variety of brushstrokes to depict lush foliage, blooming flowers, and manicured lawns. Watercolor's translucence allows for a beautiful rendering of the sunlight filtering through trees and casting dappled shadows. The contrast between the solid structure of the mansion and the soft, organic forms of the garden creates a balanced and harmonious scene, bringing the stately setting to life on paper.

  Bayou Bend Gardens are located in the River Oaks area. The Gardens are a 14-acre facility of the Houston Museum of Fine Arts.  Bayou Bend is the former home of philanthropist Ima Hogg. The mansion, designed by architect John Staub, was built in 1928. Staub's plan for Bayou Bend combined 18th-century Georgian architecture with elements that are distinctly Southern and of Spanish Creole architecture. Other aspects of Bayou Bend's design are borrowed from Southern plantation houses. 

  During construction, Ima Hogg insisted that as many trees as possible be kept. Only one tree was sacrificed to make room for the house, and the gardens were created around the existing trees. Miss Hogg created a series of gardens that were intended as outdoor rooms for living and entertaining. In 1957, Miss Hogg donated her home and her collection to the Museum of Fine Arts. Bayou Bend opened to the public in 1966.

  This Plein Air event will focus on painting a building, garden, and people.

  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. With YouTube videos, I usually first watch the entire demo to see the result and make notes of important points. Then, I start the video again and paint along. I like the convenience of YouTube demos that they can be paused and so I can paint and learn in my pace.

  I hope you enjoy practicing in advance and are excited about our topic – painting a building, garden, and people in Plein Air!

  Painting a Country House in Watercolor by Charles Evans

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCB-Qc_h7FE

  Painting Demonstration Summer Bridge in Ohio by Thomas Schaller

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrHN-2KEIu4

  How to Draw and Paint Houses in Watercolor by Chris Petri

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBlKI_3-Vk8

  How to Paint a Garden Ruin in Watercolor and Exaggerate Your greens by Paul Clark

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhncu8UAamA

  Understanding Color Temperature by Painting a White Marble Sculpture with Watercolor by Yong Hong Zhong

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L3WpSHMcfA

  How to Simplify a Flower Garden Watercolor Painting by Kerrie Woodhouse

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTIC7fcMj2g

  Painting in Watercolor – Boules by Graham Berry

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbHB6QH2F4A

  Painting a Watercolor – Drinks on the Green by Graham Berry

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMgroKjQmtk

  Watercolor Painting – Couple on Bench by Graham Berry

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmye88MKBYw

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