Plein Air in the Green Mountains of Vermont
The Wilmington Inn in historic Wilmington is our base for a painting retreat in Vermont’s Green Mountains. Surrounded by lakes, mountains, and forests, the area’s mid-summer landscape is lush and colorful. As artists we will be taking the time to observe and record where we are and what we see. Our time there will be richer than that of most tourists who simply pass through. We will celebrate the Vermont landscape through an artist’s eye, our drawings and paintings becoming visual records of our experience. This workshop is an opportunity for you to experience the plein air painting process. Working outdoors on-site allows us to immerse ourselves in the land with all our senses – looking, listening, and smelling the unique character of the location.
The Wilmington Inn is a highly rated bed & breakfast located in Southern Vermont. The inn is located within walking distance of downtown Wilmington with a variety of shops & restaurants. There are walking trails located on & around the property for all skill levels. The Harriman Reservoir is a short drive from the inn for anyone looking to swim & enjoy a variety of water activities.
About The Workshop
Learn to paint Alla Prima with confidence. The term Alla Prima means 'At One Go'. In his remarkable treatise 'In Praise of Painterly Painters', the late artist, author and teacher, Charles Movalli wrote; painterly painters are surrounded by seeming contradictions. They finish by not finishing, include by leaving out, paint more by painting less. Their means are easy to see, the results, immediately felt. But how such seemingly insufficient means lead to these results is a mystery.
In this five day plein air workshop, we will explore this method of Alla Prima painting. Economy of stroke is within every painters grasp if they are willing to approach the painting process with a 'Less Is More' mind set. Our goal with each painting will be to see our subject as shapes of color and value and not as individual objects. When viewed in this way, we can look at our subject with a painters eye, react quickly and make confident marks on the canvas that are uniquely an expression of our individual selves.
There will be a daily demonstration with discussions on composition, design, edges, value and color. A thorough understanding of these concepts is key to giving our paintings the feeling of light and atmosphere. Beginners to experienced artist are welcome.
Cost: $750 per participant, $200 per guest (lodging not included) For more information and to register, please scroll to the bottom of this page.
Itinerary:
We ask all participants to arrive by 5pm for the welcome reception. Welcome reception will be on site from 5-7pm allowing participants to meet with the artist & mingle with other guests. Guests will be on their own for dinner.
Day 1:
Breakfast will be served from 8-9am
Group will depart for off-site location
Lunch will be served at the location
Group will return to the inn in the afternoon
Group discussion & critique
Evening reception at the inn from 5:30-6:30pm
Guests will be on their own for dinner
Day 2:
Breakfast will be served from 8-9am
Group will depart for off off-site location
Lunch will be served at the location
Group will return to the inn in the afternoon
Group discussion & critique
Evening reception at the inn from 5:30-6:30pm
Guests will be on their own for dinner
Day 3:
Breakfast will be served from 8-9am
Group will depart for morning off-site location
Group will return to the inn for lunch
Group will depart for afternoon location
Group will return to the inn in the afternoon
Group discussion & critique
Catered meal at the inn for the final evening
Departure Day:
Breakfast will be served from 8-9am
Checkout time is 11:00am