Oil Landscape Painting with Patricia Sweet

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A sought-after instructor known for her humorous and informative teaching style, she offers a comprehensive, preemptive overview of the fundamentals of landscape painting in oil. If you’re interested in getting into plein air painting but haven’t had much exposure, this workshop is for you.

The workshop will begin indoors, allowing students to lay out their materials and equipment for evaluation and preparation before heading outside. While indoors, we will focus on mixing a string of gray values on the palette and selecting the essential tools needed for painting on location.

Once outside, the instructor will lead a live demonstration of the essentials of plein air painting using the alla prima method, which students can follow along with. Throughout the process, the instructor will pause to assist students and answer questions. Topics covered will include composition, light, atmosphere, and her personal favorite—the importance of value.

Workshop - 4 hours:

 In the first half of the workshop, participants will work with the instructor indoors to review the foundational principles of plein air painting while preparing their equipment and palettes for use on location. This session will focus on thoughtful organization of materials and a clear understanding of the painting process before moving outdoors.

Following a 15-minute break, participants will relocate their equipment outside and establish themselves in a comfortable setting, ready to observe and capture the changing landscape on canvas.

Tripod or French Easel (brush and mineral spirits holders are helpful)

Oil Paint:  Titanium White & Van Dyke Brown (or a very dark brown)

Palette - neutral gray palette (no smaller than 11x14)  - toned gray or a piece of glass with grey paper works

Canvas - 8x10 or 9x12 ( I prefer canvas panels- not gesso board)

1” and ½” Flat and a medium round brush at minimum. 

Palette Knife for mixing

Mineral spirits in sealed container - metal or glass

Q-Tips

Papertowels-  Viva Brand is the best!

Additional items to consider:  Bug spray, latex gloves, water bottle, sun umbrella (neutral color), chair, snacks, sunscreen, oil to wash paint off skin (I use coconut oil), something to transport wet painting (pizza box, painters tape and a piece of cardboard larger than canvas)

We will work exclusively in shades of brown, allowing students to focus on fundamental concepts without the added complexity of color. This limited palette approach encourages clarity and confidence, and it provides a strong foundation for understanding value relationships. Participants will be surprised by how much can be learned through this simplified method.

If you plan to paint beyond this class, my recommendations for a color palette should include:

Titanium White

Yellow cool ( Lemon or cadmium light)

Yellow warm (Cadmium Yellow)

Red warm ( Cadmium light red)

Red cool (Alizarin Chrimson)

Blue cool (Cobalt)

Blue warm (Ultramarine)

Phthalo Blue and/or Viridian

Dark Brown-  Burnt/Raw Umber,Van Dyke, Sepia 

Please contact the instructor with any questions regarding materials types, sizes, brands, etc.  patriciasweetmacdonald@gmail.com