Into to Plein Air Festival
Welcome to an exciting weekend designed for all levels of painting experience. Join us for only $20 a day and spend a productive time with Richard and Michael.
Friday the 12th is our Opening Reception at Durango Creative District's Gallery
1135 Main Ave
Meet the Artists and veiw their work.
Refreshments will be provided
Time: 5:00 to7:00
The 13th and 14th are filled with fun.
The price is $20 for each day. The workshops will run from 10-5 with a lunch break.
There will be light snacks provided so pack a lunch to keep you energy up.
What a deal!!! Please let us know what day or days you
will be attending
Demonstrations by both Richard and Michael.
And time to learn with both in beautiful landscapes: Butterfly Ranch and Granite Peaks
Once registrations are received we will send out the details of supplies needed and location directions.
Richard is going to work with Beginners and Experienced Studio Painters that want to get experience out of the Studio into Nature
Michael will delve into a more In-depth experience with intermediate and professional. Michael will enhance and deepen your knowledge about color.
Welcome to Plein Air Painting with Michael Clark
Impressionistic Light & Color in the Plein Air Landscape Intermediate Painting Workshop with Michael Clark Join artist Michael for an inspiring intermediate-level plein air painting workshop focused on capturing the brilliance of light and color in the landscape. Working directly from nature, you'll learn how to simplify complex scenes into bold shapes, separate light from shadow, and rearrange elements for a more dynamic composition. Through live demonstrations and personalized guidance at your easel, Michael will help you see the landscape with fresh eyes and translate it into a vibrant, impressionistic painting. This class is perfect for artists ready to deepen their understanding of plein air techniques while exploring their own creative voice. Bring your materials and your curiosity—let nature be your muse!
Welcome to Plein Air Painting with Richard J. Oliver
Whether you’ve just finished art school, have been painting for years, or are simply curious to try plein air painting for the first time, this workshop is designed to give you the skills and confidence to begin painting outdoors with purpose and joy. Painting from life in nature can feel daunting, but I’m here to guide you through the process step by step, demystifying the gear, the scene selection, and the painting approach.
In this workshop, we will cover:
• Foundations of plein air painting An introduction to working from life outdoors, including mindset, pacing, and environment.
• Essential gear and materials What you need to get started, what’s optional, and how to adapt your setup whether you’re painting close to home or venturing into the wilderness.
• My personal setup A practical walkthrough of the equipment I use, how I pack and carry it, and how I set up efficiently on location.
• Scene selection and composition How to narrow your focus and choose compelling subjects from the natural world.
• Simplifying the landscape Learning to break complex scenes down into four basic values for stronger compositions.
• Thumbnail sketches and value studies Using simple sketches to build a solid foundation for your final painting.
• Painting techniques in oils A step-by-step outdoor painting demonstration, including how I refine a piece later in the studio.
• Take-home reference guide A detailed handout covering my recommended equipment, plein air workflow, and painting process.
My hope is that you’ll leave this workshop feeling confident, inspired, and energized to continue your journey. Painting outdoors has been a deeply enriching and grounding part of my life, and I’m honored to share that experience with you.