Stunning Plein Air Paintings

Annette Hanna will be teaching a Plein Air for Pastel workshop at Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio (WIFAS) in July. Annette uses this vibrant medium to create visually stunning landscapes, and will teach you to do the same.

Read our recent interview with Annette to get a feel for who she is as an artist.

Q: When did your interest in art begin and how long have you been an artist?

A: When I was a child the first thing I remember wanting was colored pencils, not toys or dolls. I've been drawing all my life and painting for about 40 years in oils, and probably ten years or so in pastels.

Q: What do you seek to communicate through your art or your art instruction?

A: I seek to communicate human experience, whether that be knowing a particular person or seeing a breathtaking landscape. There are many beautiful things in this world and I hope to recreate and share many of them.

Q: What drives you as an artist?

A: I just have a compulsion to create an image that can't be denied. Give me a pencil, brush or pastel stick and time evaporates. I constantly observe and see things that I don't think others see and want to put them down on paper or canvas.

Q: What is a recent piece of art you created and what inspired you to paint it?

A: I passed by a scene recently that lasted about five minutes and was so striking that I knew I had to paint it.

Q: Do you have a favorite brand of paints, brushes, or canvas that you use?

A: In pastels I like Unisons, but also use nupastels and some particular faber castel colors. My favorite paper is Wallis Belgian Grey.

Q: What advice do you have for artists seeking to improve their work?

A: The best advice that I give all my students is to get a sketch book and use it as often as possible. Visit art museums, galleries and local art shows, and keep painting.

Q: What do you think is unique about Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio’s workshops?

A: WIFAS, run by Cary Jurriaans, an extremely fine painter herself, has consistently excellent instructors, a friendly and supportive atmosphere, and is located in beautiful and inspiring surroundings.

Creating Landscapes that Speak

MichaelWorkman is a master landscape artist. His rural landscapes evoke strong emotions in those who experience their subtle, yet powerful silent wonder. Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio has the privilege of hosting a week-long Plein Air workshop taught by Michael this summer.

Considered one of the major American Contemporary Tonalist painters, Michael’s use of color, texture, and light are soft and harmonious and create a dreamy effect. Tonalism is defined as the use of color’s middle values versus stronger contrasts. It is a subtle, yet powerful technique.

Michael’s workshop will focus on deconstructing his paintings to show you how he achieves a balance between a realistic approach and an abstract interpretation. Early on in his career, Michael realized that in order to distinguish his landscapes he would have to go beneath the visible surface and mine the reach emotional layers that lay below. Michael’s goal in his workshops is to teach artists to tap their emotional response to a landscape and capture this in their own rendering of the scene.

Michael freely shares his insights and thoughts in his workshops. Some of his insightful thoughts include:

“If you can’t draw, it’s hard to be a good painter.”

“If you have nothing to say, it is not art.”

“Most of the painting problems are caused by bad drawing, value and color.”

 “What you leave out is more important than what you leave in.”

 Most importantly, Michael believes that, “To become an artist is a long hard climb up a steep mountain. You can only stop and rest for a while. You must always strive for excellence. Go deeper than you've ever gone before.”  This is exactly what Michael strives to help artists do in his workshops.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to study alongside one of the greatest landscape artists of our time. If you are unable to attend this workshop, Michael has a couple recommendations of books for those serious about improving their landscape paintings. The two books he recommends are:  Guide to Landscape Painting by John F. Carlson and Composition of Outdoor Painting by Edgar Payne.

Plein Air with John Budicin

John Budicin will be teaching part of the five-day Plein Air workshop at Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio (WIFAS) next month. Born in Italy, John was 11 when his family moved to Southern California. John has won many awards and honors for his work and he is willing to share his award-winning techniques with you.

Read our recent interview with John to get a feel for who he is as an artist.

 

Q: When did your interest in art begin and how long have you been an artist?

A: My interest in art began when I was a young child. I have been in the art field since 1969. I began as an apprentice doing layouts and then I became the art director. I then worked doing illustrations before devoting all my time to fine art.

Q: What do you seek to communicate through your art or your art instruction?

 A: I teach plein air. I stress is shapes, values and design. I believe you should begin with a simple statement and do not chase the light. I have always found painting outdoors to be exhilarating.  Mother Nature is the best teacher, and if you make a commitment to be out there day after day, she will "speak" to you. 

Q: What drives you as an artist?

A: I am driven to do better today then what I did yesterday. I have painted in many different places including China. When I want to paint, I head out the door to find a scene that will spark my interest.  This may take hours, or it may take minutes.  What tends to catch my eye is the light—the pattern and contrast created on the subject, or the warm glow of a late afternoon bathing a particular landscape.  I'll sometimes drive around, searching everywhere for the right spot, or it may be right in front of me, waiting to be painted.  

Q: What is a recent piece of art you created and what inspired you to paint it?

A: Catalina Island is one of my favorite places to paint. The interior of the island is like old California. There are a few paintings of the island I feel good about. To choose just one is almost impossible. This painting Spring Forward is of Two Harbors, Catalina Island. My inspiration usually comes from light and atmosphere.

Q: Do you have a favorite brand of paints, brushes, or canvas that you use?

A: Robert Simmons Signet series is a favorite brush of mine. Most oil brands are fine. My personal preference depends on the color. I especially like Grumbacher brand for Cerulian Blue Hue, Cad Yellow Orange and Thalo Yellow Green. For all the other colors I use one of the following brands: Utrecht, Grumbacher, or Gamblin.

Q: What advice do you have for artists seeking to improve their work?

A: Never settle!