A Day of Plein Air Painting with Marni Maree
Saturday, June 8, 2024 9am. Nine of the Prince William Art Society members met at the Occoquan Regional Park with Marni Maree (our Plein Air Teacher) and Tom Payne (PWAS Member at Large and Workshop Coordinator) in the shade, down by the river with our plein air backpacks, sketchbooks, and a bucket.
Artists in the Great Out Doors
Some of the students were experienced plein air painters and a few were first time painters out in the wild of Occoquan. Although fish were jumping out of the water behind Marni, and the ducks a-quacking, the students listened attentively to our fearless leader's instructions.
Photo by Tom Payne of The Plein Air Posse with teacher, Marni Maree
Photo by Tom Payne of the students gathered around Marni, down by the river.
Photo by Tom Payne of Marni instructing her attentive students.
Photo by Tom Payne of Marni giving the plein air students 3 challenges.
A Day of Painting in a Van Down by the River
A very beautiful day it was. The temperature was very comfortable, the sky was a big blue umbrella and the shade next to the Occoquan River was a big bonus too.
Location to Paint: Occoquan Regional Park 9751 Ox Rd, Lorton, VA 22079 Lots of lovely amenities besides all the paintable views including a restaurant and restrooms!
Sidenote: Whenever I hear the phrase down by the river, I remember the Chris Farley SNL sketch of Matt Foley. Well, we weren't in a van, but we were certainly down by the river, with other folks getting their morning walk or runs in. Give a shoutout if you remember that one! Some people biking, some strolling, some with a good book on a bench. Others were on the water in various floating devices and boats. They were all fair game if they happened to appear in one of our paintings.
Supplies List
The supply list was easy, nothing complicated and very easy to carry.
Sketchbook
with watercolor paper
Ink pen (waterproof)
Mini watercolor palette
(3-5 colors)
Water brush (filled with water)
Paper towels or cloths
Chair or stool
Photo by Tom Payne of Marni demonstrating her plein air techniques
After giving out her instructions, the students were let loose. Release the Krackin. Plant thyself in your spot. Bust out the colors and throw down!
PWAS Plein Air Painting Class Members
Now I must say, in defense of our art, for those of us that need it (me), the first step in the first of the 3 challenges was to quickly and without too much thought to the process, use only about 3 watercolors with a large aqua pen to block in the basics of what we saw in our selected paint subject. Step 2 was to let that dry. Step 3 was to then use a waterproof ink pen in our NON-DOMINANT hand and draw in the shapes of what we saw. As you can imagine, if you're right or left-handed and have to use your other hand to draw...your brain explodes.
Yet, it was a very interesting lesson.
And thank the powers that be for creative license. The photos of the plein air paintings below may or may not be done per artist and their choice to add more or not after they got home.
Donna Liguria
Donna Liguria beginning her painting, photo by Tom Payne
Photo by Donna Liguria, Reference photo for the plein air painting, view toward the Town of Occoquan and the 123 bridge
Donna Liguria's first time plein air painting (and first time drawing with my left hand, and barely any watercolor experience...)
Mark Murphy
Photo by Tom Payne of Mark
David Dillon
Photo by Tom Payne of Dave
Robert Dew
Photo by Tom Payne of Robert
Wow! As you can see, Robert was VERY productive!Anna Gatling
Photo by Tom Payne of Anna
Photo by Tom Payne of Anna and Marni
Photo of Anna's plein air painting
Emily Hawes
Photo by Tom Payne of Emily, whom I hear went fishing...
Emily Hawes Reference Photo
Emily Hawes plein air painting Kathleen Gates and Joe Gates
Photo by Tom Payne of Joe and Kat Gates with Marni
Kat's Reference Photo
Kat Gates plein air painting Sonya Cromwell
Photo by Tom Payne of Sonya
Plein air painting by Sonya Cromwell
Plein Air Painting
Artists
are nothing but out-of-the box creative people aren't they? And Marni
gave us so many tips and suggestions that were so very helpful! I do
believe we all had a terrific time and it was so nice to be out of the
studio, out of the house and watching, hearing, experiencing nature -in
your face- for a change. The chirps and quacks, the snippets of passerby conversation, the pitter-patter of jogging feet, as well as the ever present zoom of cars across the bridge were all a part of the flavors of the day from this spot on the river.
Photo by Donna Liguria, view of the Occoquan River toward the I95 bridge, and Robert Dew working on his painting
Visitors approaching, Photo by Donna Liguria
Noisy, nosey visitors watching us paint, and I didn't like the attitude of that art critic 2nd from the left. Photo by Donna Liguria
Lunch break with Marni, Photo by Donna Liguria
Challenge 2 was to take 2 pages of your sketchbook, breaking up into sections and doing small studies of something you see. Like close up leaves and grasses, or reflections on the water.
Challenge 3 was to do something we see but leave room on the page to write words - about the day, the location, the feeling...in a way its a diary of the day. Not sure many of us got to this challenge but it is a great way to remember the day in your art journal. Did anyone finish this task yet?
PWAS Question: Do we members that take a PWAS Plein Air Class, automatically become a part of the Plein Air Posse? Inquiring minds want to know. And second question, when can we do this again?
Free with support from the Prince William Arts Council and the Prince William Parks and Recreation
Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
Photography/Video Credits: Tom Payne, Donna Liguria and each artist
Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
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