Observing, painting and learning from wild horses.
On Oct. 28 – 30, Assateague Island Alliance will host Karen McLain to lead a three-day plein air Painting Workshop at Assateague Island National Seashore from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.
The workshop will discover techniques for painting horses quickly and fluidly from life. Limited to 12, participants will observe how sunlight affects the coat, overcome the difficulties of painting a moving subject and coping with the problems inherent in painting outdoors.
Throughout the three days, daily demonstrations will focus on painting the horse, beginning with emphasis on major compositional shapes. McLain says she will guide the students through application of value and color in rapidly changing light and movement, and students will be guided through the process of observing, painting and learning from wild horses to enrich studio work.
According to McLain, painting wild horses from life is the foundation for the work she does in the studio.
“I want to express the power, beauty and bonds that I see manifest in wild horses. The freedom, risk and challenge that are inherent in living wild in nature are reflected in my process of working from life. They are not solely paintings of horses, but reflected communication of their experience and our journey.”
A session on photographing wild horses for effective reference material, with Meredith Hudes-Lowder of Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography, will also be provided over the three-day workshop. Techniques will cover making the best of the light source, point of view and perspective, and composition and discussion on editing programs. Lastly, the session will include tips on making the most out of your field experience.
Each student will receive a reference packet featuring painting and photography information. Portable equipment is required, as students will be working outdoors with wild horses in their natural setting. A suggested materials list will be provided upon registration.
To learn more about Karen and her body of work visit www.KarenMcLainStudio.com. To learn more about Meredith and to view her images visit www.Equusferus.com.
