Painting and Teaching along the Maurice River.

Two weeks ago I once again participated as "Coordinating- Instructor" in the week long "Maurice River Master Painting Workshop," in South Jersey.

This was our third year of what has become a very successful annual event. I painted this water color at the end of the first day. We were at "Matt's Landing," and as in past years,  it was incredibly  hot.

Earlier in the morning, Stan Sperlak introduced the students to his approach to the medium of pastels.
Stan is a very talented painter whose demos and crits are always informative and entertaining.
http://www.stansperlak.com/index1.shtml   (from my sketchbook)

This eager young artist, Melissa, drove all the way across the U.S. from Breckenridge, CO, to do the workshop. 

Tuesday found us at one of our favorite painting spots, an old boatyard that built landing craft during WW2.
Patrick Conners, a professor at PAFA, demonstrated painting techniques of the "Old Masters."

On Wednesday Jill Rupinski, another instructor from PAFA, presented yet another approach to the art of using pastels.

Throughout the week students had views of the beautiful wetlands and Maurice River as sources for inspiration.

A two hour sunset ride out on the river has become a relaxing tradition on Wednesday evenings, weather permitting. We sip wine, look for eagles and ospreys, and enjoy the view of the wetlands from the river.

Ellen, one of the returning students, looks very much like she belongs on Monet's boat, which he used as a floating studio.

Finally it was my turn to teach on Thursday, back at the boatyard. I chose this structure...

 ...to do a very brief demo in oil pointing out the importance of maintaining color and value relationships, when
interpreting a subject.

On Friday, our final day of painting, I taught water color at the Burcham  farm, with its' incredible views of the river.

The clouds had been amazing all week, so I ended the day with this water color.

We had our usual showing of still very wet paintings on gallery walls in time for Friday night's "Millveille Art Walk." And on Saturday morning, the workshop officially ended with my two hour critique of the paintings, and preliminary studies. Next year; more fun out on the Maurice River.
Join us for an intense, but fun, learning experience!    http://www.barnstudio.org/