Landscape Study

With Bridget Ertelt

There is no such thing as bad weather, only poor clothing.

One of the great things about Minnesota is our four seasons. Painting winter offers a unique opportunity to study light and form in the landscape. It is one of my favorite seasons to paint. Painting in the cold is not without its challenges, but if you are ready to leave that bug spray behind and see what winter has to offer, this class may be right for you! The class will have short lectures discussing how to analyze the value of the snow, overall value structure in the landscape, and mixing chromatic neutrals. We will also touch on color temperature shifts. Class may be taught partially indoors, or via Zoom depending on the weather and COVID-19. Class may be cancelled in the case of inclement weather (less than 15 degrees or heavy snow). Class will be taught in oils. Yes, we will be painting outside.

This class will be tailored to all skill levels. Beginners are welcome.

We will be practicing safety by social distancing and wearing masks during group interactions.

Please contact Bridget if you have questions. She may be reached via email at BridgetErtl@hotmail.com.

Materials list and class information will be sent upon payment.

2 days, $200

With Andy Sjodin

This workshop will be a process and preliminary work focused class that will take place over the course of two weekends. The objective of the workshop will be the creation of preliminary work needed to execute a finished outdoor composition involving a clothed figure. Two Saturday afternoons will be spent out “in the field” working from a live model to create sketches, develop color studies, and gather reference images (photographs). Two Sunday afternoons will be spent working in-studio from the created reference materials to develop a well thought out, smaller scale, full-color composition. The goal by the end of the workshop will be for students to have on-hand the necessary preliminary work and knowledge to create a finished outdoor figurative composition back in their own studios.

Supply list:

• a variety of smaller panels or canvases, 12” x 16” and smaller
• oil-painting equipment (paints, brushes, tarp, palette, paper towels, etc.)
• French easel or other portable outdoor painting easel
• sketchpad
• sketching implements (pencils, pens, charcoal, erasers, etc.)
• notebook and pen (for note taking)
• camera

Andy will contact the students closer to the time of the workshop to briefly go over the supply list and location for the outdoor portion of the workshop.

Length: 4 days
Tuition: $400

With Mary Pettis

John F. Carlson, in his groundbreaking 1929 book, Elementary Principles of Landscape Painting, urges us to study the expressive properties of line, mass, and color. He states that it is a delusion to think that if a painter can merely “copy nature” well enough, he is creating a work of art, that he has to merely get a certain “likeness” of the things before him. He states that, rather, a painter must see through his motif, into its significance, and then choose his means accordingly. But how does one do that?

This workshop is designed to answer that question. We will plant the seeds of creative expression; we will impart a solid means to analyze and consider the quality of interest that a motif holds for us: the IDEA!

We will learn how to single out that transmittable, personal impression of some ONE QUALITY in the quantity before us, and get closer in our quest to understand and create true works of art! Each day of the 3-day workshop begins with a lecture and/or demo. Afternoons we paint outdoors.

All levels welcome.

Full lecture and workshop
Length: 3 days
Tuition: $500
Limit: 17 students

Register for full lecture and workshop

First morning lecture only
Length: 1 day
Tuition: $75
Limit: 40 students

Register for first morning lecture only

With CeCeile Hartleib

This workshop is open to all levels. On day one, CeCeile will do a short demo in stressing values, shapes and simplification of the landscape. Each day there will be a short demo and then you will complete a painting. On the first day we will meet at Lake Harriet just across from the Rose Garden. Directions and supply list will be sent upon registration.

Outdoor watercolor supply list

Length: 5 days
Tuition: $300

With Bridget Ertelt

Bridget is excited to offer this workshop again. The focus will be to discuss painting the landscape outdoors on location. Get ready for a lot of information and learning. Day 1 is all about value. We will study the value structure of the landscape and simplify values to create strong starts. Day 2 will focus on color. We will discuss seeing color as value and organizing color temperatures to achieve various light effects. Day 3 we will continue practicing the information from the first two days as well as discuss other topics relevant to landscape painting such as atmospheric perspective, gradation, and special lighting situations such as sunsets. Class will be taught in oils and tailored to all skill levels. Limit 10 students.

Plein-air supply list

Length: 3 days
Tuition: $300

With Bridget Ertelt

Pre-requisite: Outdoor Landscape Painting Course 3-day workshop. Contact Bridget with questions.

The majority of class time will be for students to paint with instructor assistance. At the end of each day will be a group wrap-up/review. Come capture the color!

Limit 10 students.

Plein-air supply list

Length: 1 day
Tuition: $70 per day

With Bridget Ertelt

Autumn is one of the best times to be out on location studying the landscape as our state becomes saturated in color. This fall Bridget is offering a one-day opportunity for students to paint the landscape “en plein air.” There will be a lecture on value and color in the morning, and students will have the opportunity to paint with instruction in the afternoon. Bridget will work with students of all skill levels, though some experience with painting outdoors may be helpful for this class. Bridget wants to offer opportunities for students who are interested in landscape painting to continue their study. This class would count as a “continuing study” day for students who have taken Bridget's 3-day summer landscape workshop previously.

Limit 10 students.

Plein-air supply list

Length: 1 day
Tuition: $85 for continuing students / $110 for new students

With Bridget Ertelt

When we hear people talk about plein-air painting we often think of landscapes. However, painting the outdoor still life is an excellent way to study light and color. Students can learn a lot from this type of study, as it is easier to see how light and color shifts occur on simple objects than in the more complicated forms in the landscape. Each day exercises will be presented to help students achieve strong starts. Class focus will be on color, but light effect, value, and drawing will also be discussed. Students will begin the first few sessions by painting very simple still-life set-ups that will become more elaborate as the workshop progresses. Class will be taught in oils and tailored to all skill levels. Limit 12 students.

Plein-air supply list

Length: 3 days
Tuition: $300

With CeCeile Hartleib

This class may be taught indoors at The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Arts or partially on Zoom depending on COVID restrictions.

You will be taught color mixing using a limited palette. We will stress the importance of correct values and shapes and the layering of colors to make a finished cohesive painting. Short demos and working along with the instructor will be part of the routine. One morning will be spent outdoors at a park to paint from nature. All levels are welcome.

Indoor watercolor supply list

Length: 5 days
Tuition: $300