Intro to Impressionism with Chris Smeraldi, June 10-14
9am to 12pm
This class is for beginning and recent students at The Cape School of Art.
It will introduce the basic elements of color and light within landscapes and still life.
The objective is to ground students in the use of warm and cool colors to create the impression of light and also to achieve a consistent light key. Students will start out learning how to set up their palettes with paints and to do Color Block Studies as a means of learning color relationships in light and shade. Next, we will exercise the same principles in landscape and in still life practices. The outcome for students is to experience a sense of engagement and accomplishment with skills to further their journey into Impressionism.
Materials
Winsor Newton or equivalent Artist Oils
Winsor Lemon Yellow
Winsor Yellow
Winsor Orange
Winsor Red
Permanent Rose
Permanent Magenta
Manganese Blue Hue
French Ultramarine Blue
Yellow Ochre
200 ml tube Titanium White
Blue pencil
Easel
Tripod plein air easel. French easel is OK if you already have one. Stan-Rite 100 thru 400 series are my favorites. Can sometimes be found on E Bay, if you check periodically. Blick makes an inexpensive lightweight tripod easel as well.
*Try setting up your easel prior to coming to class.
Palette
1 ft x 2 ft smart board (whiteboard). Purchase at Home Depot, a 2’X4’ sheet and have it cut to size. You’ll then have 4 palettes. I will have some available for sale.
Gessoed panels
Masonite or plywood
11×14, 9×12 and some 12×16. 3 boards per day is usually sufficient.
Pre-gessoed panels/boards should be lightly sanded with 220 grit sandpaper
or apply an additional coat of gesso.
If you make your own to save money, a lumberyard or Home Depot carry 4’X8’ Masonite sheets 1/4“ or 3/16” thick, which can be cut to size for you, then paint panels with 2 coats of gesso. The brand, Liquitex, gesso is best.
Palette knife
Blick #4 or similar size-flexible blade is important.
Four 6” Spring clips with 2” opening. Available on Amazon as medium heavy duty spring clamps. I will have some available for purchase.
Sash weight or weighted cloth bag with 3 ft clothesline to attach to your easel when painting on windy days.
Other supplies
Two rolls of soft paper towels (Bounty or Viva)
Small bottle of vegetable oil for clean up
Small plastic bags for trash
Hat with brim. Baseball cap is good.
Water bottle
Sunscreen and bug spray
Empty pizza boxes work well for transporting wet paintings.
NOTE: do not wear tinted or transition eyeglasses. Wear Black or medium-colored shirts, no white or bright colors as they will reflect into your painting
If you have any questions, you can email me at smeraldic@gmail.com