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Plein Air Painting Art Workshops in Niagara Falls,Ontario, Niagara Falls, USA,
St. Lucia, West Indies and Monhegan Island, Maine Which Workshop whispers to your soul?
We are listed on
IPAP Newsletter
As seen in written articles about
BALDINI Workshops
LEXUS Magazine
in the UK
and work published in
as Founder of
International Plein Air Painters
WORLDWIDE Organization.
Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine
Sept/Oct 2006
Cover Image
Paint Niagara Falls USA
Click HERE for more info.
One of the most beautiful painting locations in
North America.
Learn to get the composition and values down before the light changes. Critiques for personal growth included. Two day intensive plein air workshop,
Niagara Falls, USA
Want to know the
10 Secrets to a
Great Workshop Experience ?
1. Pick a Location that appeals to you.
Is there someplace you've always wanted to go? What better way than to spend the time there doing something you love in the company of other artists?
2. Look at the organization of the workshop.
Is transportation or organization at painting sites included? or will you spend precious painting time driving around looking for places to paint? Or better yet, looking for the class? Is the class limit reasonable , or will you be vying for attention with 20+ other participants? Is the painting schedule flexible to allow for non planned opportunities?
3. Look at the work of the instructor.
Does the work represent a direction you would like to go in? or perhaps try something new to give your work a jump start?
4. Come to the workshop with an Open Mind
A workshop is a place to try new techniques and ideas.
If you approach the workshop starting in doing what you've always done, the way you've always done it, you defeat the purpose of the new experience, saturated in creativity.
A workshop is not a place to show off your skills.
5. Keep a journal
I ask my students to begin a journal 3-4 days before the workshop and continue it for at least that long after they get back home. The journal should be something you keep for yourself. Don't use this as a textbook, be personal. Write down your goals for this workshop. This will enable you to relive your workshop experience when you need your memory jogged.
6. Bring a camera
Record your travel, your painting locations and any demos your instructor may do. Sometimes it's the little things you may miss that makes a difference.
7. Ask questions
No such thing as a silly question at a workshop.
No questions... no answers!
And the person next to you may have the same question.
8. The Cookie Cutter Syndrome
If your instructor specifies that you use ( for example) the exact pallette that they do, you're not getting individual attention. An instructor should meet you ''where you are' in terms of your painting knowledge. This is not to say a beginner or someone looking for guidance in buying supplies should not take instructor's suggestions. Some fantastic painters are not necessarily good instructors. You've all seen classes of 'cookie cutter' students where you can pick out the instructor by looking at the work the class has done.
9. Network - Be a Sponge
Rarely do you have the opportunity in a creatively charged atmosphere where you will eat, sleep and breathe painting.
The osmosis in such an adventure is amazing!
Take the time to know your fellow students, some of the most enduring friendships are born in a workshop.
10. Don't expect finished Paintings
If your goal is to come away with finished paintings, you're going to miss a lot of stuff! It's tempting for all of us to do this.
A. You may not be experienced painting outdoors and may be overwhelmed by the information in front of you. Give yourself some slack time to adjust. If you have normally painted in a studio, you will now be doing problem solving 'on your feet'.
B. Use Professional Materials
Don't let your struggle be with inferior student grade paints and supports. Buy a few good artist grade materials instead of a store full of cheaper supplies.
C. If you put your energy into 'finishing', you're missing your next great painting.
It may very well be your "AH HA" painting!
The Best thing I can give painters at my workshops is a "Pocketful of Seeds" to take home...
tools that you will have the week after you get home, and the week after that, when you're problem solving on your own.
Jacqueline Baldini c2004
This material is copyrighted and may not be reproduced or published in any form without written permission of J.Baldini
The May 2005 Fifth Anniversary edition of Oprahs O Magazine has chosen St. Lucia as it's top destination! On page 288 writer Kate Sekules highlights "Five Places to See in Your Lifetime." She calls St Lucia a "True Hot Spot" and highlights the picturesque Pitons, a United Nations World Heritage Site, unspoiled coral reefs, lush tropical forests, an active geothermal field with bubbling mud and clear hot springs all available by guided hikes which your hotel can organize.
Participants can reserve hospitable accomodations at Club St.Lucia,an all inclusive resort encompassing 47 acres of landscaped tropical gardens.
Families are welcome. Facilities and activities for children available at the resort.
Oil painting workshop is hands on with 3 full days of painting and critiques. Or paint in the medium of your choice.
Classes will be held from 9 am - 4 pm daily.
Demonstrations capturing light patterns using grisalle and composition will be emphasized. Critiques will be held for suggestion and individual critiques can be arranged for some of your current work. Days are spent painting in and around the Cap Estate property which houses beautiful gardens and an old sugar plantation.
Our 8th year from this location!
Monhegan Island, Maine
July 6-10, 2009
Here's your chance to stay and work on the magical, mystical island of Monhegan, long known for creative, spiritual and life altering forces with like minded individuals seeking the essence of oneness and serenity with nature. Experience the ancient romanticism long known to artists, poets, writers and musicians that is Monhegan, the island that time forgot...
Get in touch with your inner creative force in a reality most artists just dream about.
Imagine waking in the morning, looking out your door and everywhere you look is a painting waiting to happen. Paint en plein air in and around Monhegan Island. Classes will concentrate on capturing the light and atmosphere on location. Emphasis on color temperature and grisaille to simplify outdoor painting. All levels accepted.
THE ISLAND SHEPHERD
Almost thirty years gone by
the day I first saw Monhegan,
shaped like the back of a whale
Almost thirty years gone by
I first saw the shepherd,
the congregation of sheep,
his companion gander.
Almost thirty years gone by
I began a search for the storybook
long out of print, now out of reach,
of the island shepherd and the island boy who found a friendship.
Almost thirty years gone by
and Fate set circumstance in motion.
through mutual love
of the magical island,
I meet a stranger who becomes a friend.
Fate had entwined our lives.
Without my knowledge,
and beyond belief,
it placed the book in her grasp.
She understood at once the Truth
and Essence of the event...
"There are times
when we become the Instrument
that Fate uses to bring joy to others.
We must allow ourselves
to be taken over
for that rare and unique purpose."
And so it came to pass,
on the magical island
one perfect July day,
almost thirty years gone by,
I held the book,
a gift from Fate,
delivered by an understanding friend.
The island shepherd looked upon us
that day,
he smiled,
for he knew he had brought two lambs
into his flock of sojourning island souls, two lambs
whose frendship was forged
by the hand of Fate,
and the island the shepherd loved.
Jacqueline Baldini
R.A. Szostek
published
Monhegan Commons
Do you want to
Achieve drama in your composition ?
Simplify chaos on location ?
Learn the value of underpainting ?
Stop overworking your paintings ?
August 9-10-11, 2008
September 6-7, 2008
October 4-5, 2008
October 11-12, 2008
May 17-18, 2009
August 23-24, 2008
September 21-22, 2008
Paint at the base of Niagara Falls and experience the
Majestic Power!
Paint the beauty of the surrounding Gardens
Click HERE for more info
All workshops above
Niagara Falls except for
August 23-24, 2008
September 21-22, 2008
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness...the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred... Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it! Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
-Goethe
Workshop Title : Problem solving ‘on your feet’ en plein air painting
Description :
5 day working on location workshop to help you achieve drama in your painting. Demo/lecture each
morning.
You will learn to ‘bake the cake ‘ before you applying the frosting.
Ever wondered why your finished painting bears little resemblance to the excitement you felt when starting
your painting ?
Students will work on location and complete 2 12x16 or smaller paintings per day. Typical work day is 9 - 4pm
Goals : Students at the end of a 5 day workshop will be able to recognize a strong composition and see
values using grisalle. This will enable them to make decisions when doing problem solving on their own, painting
on location.
Grisaille studies, directly on canvas will enable students to commit to a composition and value plan instead
of constantly adjusting their values and shadows, commonly known as ‘chasing the light’. This eliminates the
also common fragmented , unfocused painting.
Experience level : Beginner to Intermediate
Prerequisite Student Skills: It is suggested that beginners have the experience of at least one drawing
course.
Student Supplied Materials: The workshop is taught using a limited primary color pallette. A complete list of suggested oil & acrylic pigments is supplied. Canvas board or stretched canvas 12 x 16 or smaller. A support for canvas and carrying materials. Incidental list also provided. A painting umbrella is strongly suggested.
Class maximum : 15 students
We recommend
Oil paints made with walnut oil.
M. Graham oils have been preferred by artists for over five centuries, free flowing Walnut Oil gives the artist greater freedom and control over their color without the addition of solvents. Revival of this fine oil has allowed the creation of a contemporary professional oil color with extremely high concentrations of pigment, freedom from discoloration and superior handling properties
Your privacy is important to us and we do not sell, share or otherwise divulge any information submitted to us
You can visit my website at http://jrbaldini to view my Gallery of Paintings
and my NEW BLOG is here
*$175.00 US deposit required pp to hold your space in the workshop.
Balance is due 30 days before start of workshop. Full refunds available up to 45 days from start of workshop. Non painting companions welcome!
You can register toll free for Niagara Falls and St. Lucia Workshops Mon-Sat EST 9-5 at
1 800 393-7270
Monhegan workshop payable by Check or PayPal
J. Baldini - P.O. Box 2332 - Niagara Falls, NY 14302-2332
