PLEIN AIR PAINTING
The Classes
Saturday, June 21 - Sunday, June 22
(Tentative Rain Dates: Saturday, June 28 - Sunday, June 29)
9AM - 3PM
Members: $225 | Non-Members: $250
Location: On-site (various local outdoor locations)
Level: Intermediate to Advanced (Some painting experience recommended, but not required.)
Join us for an immersive two-day plein air painting workshop where the beauty of the natural landscape becomes your studio. This workshop blends traditional plein air painting techniques with innovative contemporary methods, offering artists a unique opportunity to expand their artistic approach and cultivate a deeper visual connection with the natural world. Under the guidance of an experienced instructor, you’ll explore: -Classical Techniques including composition, color, atmospheric perspective, and brushwork inspired by 19th-century masters. -Contemporary practices such as expressive mark-making, and abstract simplification. -On-location fundamentals like selecting a compelling subject, adapting to changing light, and the challenge of painting in the natural elements. Each day includes on-site demonstrations, personalized instruction, and individual feedback; with plenty of time to paint independently. Whether you’re looking to refine your technical skills, or push the boundaries of your current practice, this workshop offers a dynamic environment for creative growth. Supplies not included. A recommended materials list and plein-air locations will be available after enrollment.
*Class will break halfway for a 30 minute lunch.*
Instructor, David Barnes
David Barnes is a Rhode Island-based painter with an MFA from UMass Dartmouth. With over two decades of teaching experience—including long-term appointments at Bristol Community College and Roger Williams University—Barnes brings both technical expertise and a deep commitment to artistic exploration to the table. His work has been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the northeast and is held in the permanent collections of the RISD Museum and the Newport Art Museum, among others. A recipient of prestigious awards such as the Pollock Krasner Grant and the Robert and Margaret MacColl Johnson Fellowship, Barnes’ practice blends traditional painting foundations with a contemporary sensibility, making him uniquely suited to guide artists in expanding their plein air approach.