Instructor: Mary Jane Erard
Ages: Mature Teens and Adults 14+
Date: Four consecutive days, Monday, June 24th - Thursday, June 27th from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Price: $150, includes some materials.

Painting or creating art outdoors is called working in “Plein Air.” Plein air painting is about leaving the four walls of your studio behind and experiencing painting and drawing in the landscape. The practice goes back for centuries but was truly made into an art form by the French Impressionists. In this special workshop, Mary Jane will teach students the basics of creating art outdoors from direct observation. Instruction will cover composition, color, and technique for painting with pastel, as well as working through individual challenges that students will encounter throughout the creative process. Individual instruction is tailored to each student’s needs. This class will be a mixed indoor / outdoor experience. Students will receive the majority of instruction indoors during days 1-3, and then move outdoors on the last day to work directly from observation.

Most materials required will be provided. It is recommended to bring a sun hat and or sunscreen if preferred, a water bottle or beverage, a light jacket or sun-cover, and any other items you may desire to make you more comfortable for the outdoor class.

Materials Student’s Need to Buy:

• Two sheets of 9x12 Cold Press Watercolor Paper or similar size

• Blue, Black or Brown Pastel Pencil

• 24 count Faber Castel Pastel set or equivalent

• 2 - 9” x 12” U Art, Art Spectrum Pastel Paper, or Pastelbord in light color such as tan or light blue 

• Small set of watercolor in pans, student grade to professional is acceptable

• One flat or filbert and one round is good. 

Agenda: This is a general plan and subject to change.

Day 1
Students will work learning how to manipulate pastels. Students will use watercolor to block in colors as an underpainting and students will also work on toned papers. Subject matter will include simple source photos provided by the teacher. Students will complete two small practice paintings on day 1. Papers provided by the teacher. 

Day 2
Students will learn about how to create trees and fields first through sketching with pencil on sketch papers provided by the teacher and then through completing a pastel painting on 9” x 12” watercolor paper students bring.

Day 3 Students will learn about how to add architecture in their plein air works including simple perspective skills. Students will use sketch paper to practice sketching and perspective. Students will create a final sketch that includes a building or house and will finish with watercolor painting.

Day 4 Students will work outside, weather permitting, to draw sketches to plan a formal plein air painting from the landscape. After the students complete successful sketches they will then plan colors to use in their project. Students will use the 9” x 12” UArt or Art Spectrum pastel paper. 

About the Instructor:
Mary Jane Erard is an award-winning artist painting mostly in soft pastel and mixed media with acrylic. Her works are usually rural landscapes of the US and Europe. Mary Jane's artwork is owned by many private collectors and included in several corporate collections. She has exhibited in many group and solo exhibitions since the mid 1990s.  Ms. Erard's artwork has been published several times in national magazines and books including Best of American Pastel Painters and Southwest Art magazine. Mary Jane is a juried member of the Pastel Society of America. For over 20 years, Mary Jane has been represented by the Collector's Corner at the Toledo Museum of Art. 

In addition to her painting career, Mary Jane is a sought after art educator in Ohio and Michigan. As a working professional artist, Mary Jane offers helpful insight to private students who are looking for both art instruction and helpful career advice in the visual arts.

Mary Jane was nominated as "Best Art Teacher" in the 2021 and 2022 Toledo City Paper's annual "Best of Competition". She has served as a juror for many exhibits and competitions including, a 2017 judge for the AICUO's Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts for the State of Ohio, the Crosby Festival of the Arts, and the 2021 Ann Arbor Art Festival in Michigan.

Cancellation Policy: We will refund 50% for any cancellation made at least eight days before the class. If you cannot attend after registration, you are welcome to gift your tuition to a friend at no charge. We do not transfer tuition from one class to another.