Taos Art School - Beginning Plein Air Painting

Schedule for Beginning and Intermediate Plein Air Classes
Sat	Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
	Breakfast 8 AM	Breakfast 8 AM	Breakfast 8 AM	Breakfast 8 AM	Breakfast 8 AM	Breakfast 8 AM	Breakfast 8 AM	Breakfast 8 AM
			Beginning Depart					Intermediate Depart
	Beginning Plein Air	Beginning Plein Air	Intermediate Plein Air	Intermediate Plein Air	Intermediate Plein Air	Intermediate Plein Air	Intermediate Plein Air
Beginning Arrive		Intermediate Arrive

It is highly recommended that beginning students continue directly into the five day intermediate painting workshop. Pre-registration is required.
Both classes will be limited to 12 participants to ensure lots of individual attention.

TWO DAY BEGINNER CLASS

Have you always wanted to venture outside to paint nature’s beauty firsthand but didn’t know how to get started? Maybe you just felt overwhelmed the first time you tried to set up an easel beyond the cozy confines of your studio (or, kitchen table). This two day introduction to the basics of plein aire painting was designed for you. Rich Gallego, will introduce you to the many types of equipment and materials available and assist you in deciding what will work best for you. He’ll cover information regarding field easels and how they work, media (types of paint), materials (brushes, painting supports, etc…), even how to decide what to paint. Yes, this class was designed with the absolute beginner in mind. It can be a daunting experience the first time you attempt to paint the landscape while standing IN the landscape. Rich Gallego will give you powerful tools for simplifying the experience in order to make it both easier and more enjoyable. Combined with the beauty and history of Taos, this class will inspire you to get outside and start painting the wonders of the natural world. Upon completion of this two day course you’ll have the option to continue in the five day plein aire painting class, also taught by Rich, which begins the day after this course ends. So, come to Taos. Bring an adventurous spirit and a desire to learn and we’ll change the way you see the world.

image: Rich Gallego helping a student

FIVE DAY INTERMEDIATE CLASS

There’s a reason New Mexico is called “The Land of Enchantment”. Vast fields of Pinon and sage, beautiful blue mountains rising in the distance, groves of Cottonwoods and Aspens, centuries old adobe churches and homes, all combine to create a rich and colorful landscape that few painters could resist. Come explore this historic part of the old west with award winning plein aire artist, Rich Gallego. He’ll show you how to simplify a scene and the painting process so you’ll be able to capture a sense of place regardless of where you’re painting. Rich will teach such fundamental principles as division of space, creating a compelling composition, assessing values, how to lead the viewer’s eye, color theory, treatment of edges, and proper paint application. Each day will be spent at a different painting site. In some cases, the day will be divided into morning and afternoon sessions. Other days, we’ll travel a bit farther afield to experience some of the outlying area’s spectacular scenery. This class will include as many, or as few, instructor demonstrations as the participants desire. But, this isn’t one of those workshops where the students stand around and simply watch the teacher paint.

Rich is a tireless instructor who genuinely enjoys giving one on one attention to each participant with the goal of helping you to become a better, more knowledgeable painter. Remember, because the best light for plein aire painting occurs in the “Golden Hours” of the morning and afternoon you’ll be getting started fairly early each day so, please be prompt. The exact time will depend upon where you’ll be painting on a given day. There will be several critique sessions throughout the week, usually in the evening. Attendance is certainly not mandatory but, these sessions are extremely valuable and students are encouraged to participate. Painters of all levels are welcome in this class. However, if you’re an absolute beginner please consider the two day course immediately prior to this class. It will assure that you are comfortable with your equipment, materials, and getting started on your painting in the great outdoors.

Left: Rich Gallego assisting a student at Dunn's Bridge.

Paintings by Richard Gallego






	All paintings on this page by Richard Gallego
Autumn's gift
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