The purpose of this course is to:

• Review the tools and techniques of landscape painting 
  
• Practice establishing a strong start: location, composition, massing shapes & keying values  
• Practice composing and building strong landscape paintings  

A note from Spencer: 

 I will begin the day with a demonstration as well as an explanation of the day's objective. I will answer questions as students find their own spots to paint. As students paint, I will walk around and give feedback. At the end of the day, the class will gather and we will talk and look at everyone's work. 
  Along the way, I will be discussing the tools and techniques developed by generations of landscape painters to better capture the landscape in oil. 
 

Workshop Materials: 
   

Listed below are the tools and materials that I use, but bring what works for you.

NISDA can provide a portable easel: Feel free to use an easel, french easel, paint box, pochard box or whatever you are most comfortable painting with outdoors. The set up that I use when weight is not a key consideration is a pochard box made by Strada. It is tough and simple but heavy and relatively expensive. The set-up you are familiar with is likely the best one for this course.  
  
Brushes: I suggest bringing a variety of sizes of hog bristle brushes. I mostly use Robert Simmons Signet Bristle brushes. The Shape I prefer is the “filbert”. I occasionally use “flat” brushes. I recommend staying around sizes 2, 3, 4 & 5. Feel free to use any brand, size or shape that you like but keep in mind we will be working on smaller panels. 
  
Palette cup: I use linseed oil sparingly. I do not use other mediums or mineral spirits when working in the field. 
  

Items to bring as needed:  

• Palette knife
• Oil Paint Colors: Titanium White / Cadmium Yellow /  Light Cadmium Yellow Medium Cadmium Orange. /  Cadmium Red Light. / Quinacridone  / Ultramarine / Prussian Blue  / Viridian. / Ivory Black / Raw Umber  / Burnt Sienna  / Venetian Red / Yellow Ochre
• Drawing tools: A Sketchbook, pencil, kneaded eraser
• Painting surfaces: I suggest bringing a variety of sizes. 5”x7”, 9”x12” & 12”x16” are all good but keep in mind that we have only two hours of working time per session so smaller is going to be easier to resolve in that time. I use Centurion OP Professional oil primed linen panels as they are well made, relatively affordable and lightweight. I prefer an oil primed surface but feel free to use whatever surface you would like. I use 5”x7” panels for landscape studies as I know I can finish this within an hour.
• Paper towels & trash bag Brush cleaning supplies
• Wet panel carrier: This is optional however I use one to transport wet panels when traveling or working on several pieces on one trip.
• A bag to carry your painting kit to the location and home. Feel free to use what you have.
• Gear
• Please remember that we will be outside for several hours. We hope for pleasant weather however on Nantucket the weather can change quickly. For this reason, please check the forecast each class day and dress accordingly. Generally speaking, neutral colors are best to avoid reflections on your wet paintings.
• A hat, sunscreen, bug spray / tick repellant, portable lawn chair or camping chair. Water, lunch & a light snack.

Join me for a great day of painting!