A mission to support, encourage, and showcase the work of local artists
Four Day Plein Air Workshop with Michele Byrne
February 20-23, 2024 - 9 AM - 3:30 PM
Learn to create dramatic paintings with palette knife and impressionistic brushwork.
This class will be held indoors the first two days.
On the first day I’ll be teaching the basic rules of creating a strong, quick and simple value study. In the afternoon we'll paint from live models in various 5-minute poses to practice capturing body language.
You will learn how to design a painting through value and strong composition that will lead your eye through the painting to tell a story.
The second day I’ll be teaching various techniques on how to hold the knife and make a
great variety of marks. Lots of information on paint manipulation and brushwork will be
included.
The last two days we’ll head outside, weather permitting, and practice what you’ve learned.
Each morning there will be demos, and in the afternoon I’ll spend time with each student
helping them through the process.
These will be fun and inspirational days on the beautiful island of Key West!
Supply List
For Value Studies (quick sketches of what you will paint)
4” x 6” Blank Index Cards (you can buy them at Walmart or most anywhere)
Please use whatever you are most comfortable with for these sketches
Use ONE of the following:
• Markers (I use 20, 40, 60 and 80% gray markers)
• Soft lead pencil and erasure
• Or pen
EASEL - Some type of plein air easel.
My favorite small easel is https://www.edgeprogear.com (Passport size)
(THIS IS THE ONE I USE FOR TRAVEL)
Or an Open Box M –https://www.openboxm.com/#/
SOLTEK – I use this one when I’m painting larger or doing demo’s.
PALETTE
Make sure you have a large CLEAN palette for mixing paint. Glass or plexiglass it best.
CANVAS
1 to 2 small canvases per day - 8”x10” to 12” x 16” (max.)
Multimedia artboards (best for travel):
These panels are lightweight, easy to trim down and mount when you get home.
Use Discount code MBW23
I also use Centurion Linen Panel (acrylic primed),
(IF USING COBRA OILS (or any water mixable oils) DO NOT USE OIL PRIMED LINEN OR CANVAS
Use only Acrylic primed canvas or linen)
PAINT
I use Cobra Solvent Free Oils as well as traditional Rembrandt oils - feel free to use whatever oils you are most
comfortable with. For classes I paint with Cobra Paint
Listed below is the name of the traditional / Cobra paint names are occasionally different, but are basically the
same color.
Primary Cyan (Cobra) much cheaper/Cerulean Blue
Ultramarine Blue
Permanent Green Deep / Viridian
Transparent Oxide Red
Madder Lake (Cobra), Permanent Alizarin
Cadmium Red Light (or Permanent Red Light)
Cadmium Orange (or Permanent Orange)
Yellow Ochre
Permanent Yellow deep
Permanent Lemon Yellow
Titanium White
Primary Magenta
I try not to use any medium, which makes me use more paint. For fine lines and details at the end of my painting I sometimes use Cobra Quick Dry Medium or Cobra Glaze.
I also use Cobra Paste occasionally (these mediums you do not need for the class)
Suggested BRUSHES
Flats #2,6,10 (just a few of these are needed – or just bring what you have)
*Watercolor Rigger or liner # 1 (this is important for adding final highlights)
Large 1 1/2” chip brush from Lowes or any larger brush for washes.
PALETTE KNIFE - A trowel Palette Knife for mixing and applying paint (2 inch minimum blade)
MY FAVORITE: 30 Italy RGM Plus – available through DickBlick
https://www.dickblick.com/items/blick-painting-knife-78-x-2-34-painting-style-30-/
VIEWFINDER – PLEASE BRING A VIEWFINDER OF SOME TYPE
One of these Scraper tools:
Barvotti Silicone Shaper tool – 2”
Gloves - I wear gloves when I paint. It allows me to feel free to be a slob and not worry about health hazards.
WET PANEL CARRIER:
To get your paintings home safely.
I use RayMar Wet Panel carriers
https://www.raymarart.com/collections/wet-painting-carriers
(Pizza boxes work well too)
Workshop Fee - Members and Associates
$450.00
Discounted fee for members and associates of the Key West Art Center.
Fee covers all four days of the workshop
Workshop Fee - Nonmembers
$500.00
Workshop Fee, open to the public.
Fee covers all four days of the workshop