On the scenic grounds of Slater Park and in the facilities of the RI Watercolor Society, a three day intensive plein air workshop will be offered by Mr. Costantino.
The workshop is designed for artists to develop a comfort level with painting out of doors, on the spot, and completing a work within a short period of a few hours or a single day. Plein air has been the time-honored method of artists to engage the reality and the variables of Nature with freshness of technique, spontaneity, and discovery.
The pace for the workshop will not be hurried, allowing each artist time to study their view, sketch their work, and obtain input from the experienced instructor; which applied each day will bring evident improvement. Some of the topics offered by the instructor will be color palettes, blending of colors, use of brushes, and responsiveness of the medium on various papers. The plein air process in watercolor will entail various wash methods – wet-on-wet, dry-brush, glazing, blending, sharp and soft edges, and dilution control, among others.
Demos by the instructor will start the day, addressing these many aspects, and more. Artists’ practice sessions will help in simplifying a composition, while learning to see and achieve the dynamic elements of light, contrast, values, movement, textures, etc., which make paintings come alive. Experimentation and interpretative methods will also be discussed with each participant on site, to help bring a heightened awareness of the many available approaches for painting. The workshop will comprise plein air on-site work for about 6 hours each day, with a 45-60 minute bring-your-own lunch break.
Ability Requirements: The workshop will provide relaxed space for participants to use their skills under expert guidance. Some previous plein air experience would be preferable, and participant’s abilities should include basic drawing and a comfortable level of watercolor experience. With diversity of skills, artist capabilities will vary widely, but instruction will be tailored to each individual’s level. In this creative environment, the collective energies will allow everyone to learn much more than otherwise struggling to discover alone. Also, expectations are for making “mistakes”, and for HAVING FUN while learning.
Frank Costantino has conducted numerous workshops for students all over the US, and is a signature member of the New England Watercolor Society, North East Watercolor Society and the Salmagundi Club in NY. He is also co-founder of the Plein Air Vermont Competition (PAVT) a nationwide artist' event.