We are honoured to have Karen McCallum, an Edmontonian artist who regularly paints “en plein air” and is freshly back from a trip to Sweden, where she experienced even more en plein air painting!   In this workshop, Karen will guide us through the thought processes of beginning a plein air painting with the concept of loosening up and simplifying the landscape!  She will provide a demonstration, and aid you in developing your own plein air sketches and art pieces in the woodsy area of Lion’s Park in Beaumont!   Plein Air art is challenging and rewarding in so many ways, and we are looking forward to hosting this evening of artistic adventure with you!  Students at all levels of their artistic journey are welcome and are encouraged to bring their familiar art medium to the activity.  A supply list of what Karen will be bringing will be provided as a guide.

The event will take place on June 22nd 6 pm to 9 pm at the Lion’s Park in Beaumont.  Class cost will be $30 for members and $40 for non-members.  Class size is limited, so register early!   

Karen is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists which was started by 3 of the Group of Seven artists! She also sits on the board of the local Edmonton Chapter. She is a contemporary landscape painter that has a deep appreciation and connection to the Canadian landscape.  You can learn more about Karen by checking out her website https://www.karenmccallum.com     Thank you to the City of Beaumont for supporting the arts!

Supply List

Karen will be bringing water media like gouache & watercolour to use as her main medium.

Bring whatever medium (paint) you choose: acrylic, watercolour, oil, or other artistic mediums you are familiar with and would like to try plein air.  

Karen recommends a limited palette – and recommends a warm red, cool red, warm yellow, cool yellow, warm blue, cool blue, white and black.  If you have already have a set, bring what you have.

Mixed media sketchbook for watercolours

small canvas or wood panel (no bigger than 9 x 12) if using acrylic or oil;

a waterproof ink pen or thin sharpie–one that doesn’t run when wet. Great for adding details, writing notes, etc

a pencil

A selection of paint brushes – Karen likes flat brushes (one at least an inch size, one or two other sizes, and a liner)

Paper towels, water bottle filled with water,  water container (for washing brushes, or whatever you need if using oils), palette if not built into your watercolour set (plastic ones at the dollar store are fine), portable chair, hat and other weather appropriate clothing, that you don’t care if you get some paint on.  

Optional fun and helpful tools:

Framers corners that can be used to crop an image. You can easily make two L-shapes out of cardboard too. 

A handful of Caran d’Ache neocolor II Aquarelle water soluble wax pastels (I love these for quickly sketching forms and then later to add some fun loose marks–but they are pricey). Or some waxy conte. Or watercolour pencils or crayons. 

a small scraper–there are the rubber ones you can buy but an old credit/gift card works great too.