Plein Air: Painting Outdoors
“Plein air” means “open air”— and in these videos, Laura Andrews will teach you how to paint the outdoors from life. Pick up or renew your landscape-painting skills, and put your brush to canvas with this lovely, peaceful outdoor activity that can be done from anywhere. Exploring a variety of painting approaches, you will learn about light and shadow, color temperature and composition.
Art-making classes like this often convene in the M’s Ford Center for Creativity, but we have gotten creative with digital offerings these days!
Wet Paint in St. Paul is offering pre-assembled painting kits for purchase if you want to skip the hassle of shopping! Each kit includes the following recommended supplies:
Oil paints: Gamblin 1980 37 ml Titanium White, Ivory Black, Cadmium Yellow Lt, Ultramarine Blue, Pthalo Blue, Alizarin Crimson, Yellow Ochre, and Venetian Red. Ampersand Museum Gessobord Flat 6″ X 6″ 4 pack. Princeton Snap 9700 Bristle Brush Set of 3 #4 (round 4, flat 6, bright 8).
In the videos, you’ll also see Laura Andrews using odorless mineral spirits, a sketchbook and pencil, and some paper towel or rags.
Do you hear some words or terms that are new to you? Take a look at this glossary to learn some new vocabulary and understand the videos better!
Teaching artist Laura Andrews (she/her) is a visual artist who lives and works in Minneapolis. She received her BA from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, and her MFA from Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She currently teaches Drawing and Painting at Minneapolis College. She received an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board in 2011 and a Community Supported Art grant from Springboard for the Arts in 2014. Her paintings were featured in “Vice Versa” at the Phipps Center for the Arts in 2015, “Heart of a Place” at Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts in 2017, and “Integrated Vision” at Duluth Art Institute in 2020. Her paintings and drawings focus on the relationship and interaction between people and the natural world.
You can get in touch with Laura on social media at @phouka1477 and at phouka1477@gmail.com
