Date: Mondays, September 4-25, 2023
Time: 9:00-11:30 AM Pacific Time (12:00-2:30 PM Eastern Time/5:00-7:30 PM London Time)
Level: All
Medium: Oil or acrylic
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Painters use color and value to show how light describes nature. Learning the language of painting, and understanding light, gives us more freedom in choosing how we paint the objects we see, rather than having to look to nature for every decision.
In this workshop we will study the phenomenon of backlighting, where the light source is behind the object. Start with what you do know and gain skills by doing exercises that isolate different aspects of painting. This class is serious and joyful at the same time. It’s structured and supportive, so you’ll be able to find your zone and learn the next thing you are ready for. Part 1 of 3 covers the fundamentals of backlighting and its three main subcategories: rim lighting, contre-jour (pronounced “contra zhoor”), and translucency. Class time will be a combination of lecture, demo, and practice (so bring your gear!).
Known for an engaging style and versatility in subject matter, Aimee Erickson is an internationally renowned oil painter and instructor who has given lectures and demonstrations at venues nationwide and abroad. A standout at plein air painting competitions, she has won both Best of Show and Artists’ Choice at Plein Air Easton, as well as Best of Show at Carmel, Sonoma, Olmsted, Laguna, and Pacific Northwest Plein Air art festivals. Erickson has been a Portrait Society of America finalist, won Best of Show at an American Women Artists national show, and is a signature member with multiple awards from Oil Painters of America. She has exhibited with international plein-air groups in China and Russia, is an inaugural member of Charlie Hunter’s En Train Air expedition, and in 1997 painted the official portrait of governor of Oregon Barbara Roberts. Her work has been featured in Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, Southwest Art Magazine, American Art Collector, and Plein Air Magazine, and on OutdoorPainter.com. Her first book, Plein Air Techniques for Artists: Principles and Methods for Painting in Natural Light, was released in 2023 and is widely available. Erickson has a BFA in Visual Communication Design with an Illustration emphasis. She lives in Portland, Oregon, and carries a sketchbook. www.aimeeerickson.com
