WILTON – Hathaway Lake House on Wilson Lake was the recent location of a pleine air art workshop with instructor Barbara Hathaway.
Hathaway gave a short introduction to pleine air painting, including the many different times in history that artists took to the outdoors to paint. Two, 1629 landscape
paintings are the earliest examples of painting outdoors. Richard Symond’s traveling paint box was documented in a notebook used in 1650-1652 and now is in the collection at the British Library, Department of Manuscripts, London, England. In the 8th century Italian artists painted in the outdoors, painting monuments and architectural ruins, to sell to travelers as souvenirs.
Pleine air painting, en plein air, an expression meaning in the open air, was how the French painted in the 19th century. It is having a resurgence in our time.
Hathaway noted pleine air painting is a way to gather information by studying what is around you outdoors.
“You can categorize your artwork by painting the sky at different times of the day, painting clouds, sunrises and sunsets,” she said. Information can also be used later for studio work especially if photos are taken to work from to completed the composition.
During the workshop, students selected a morning station, where they could have a good scene of the lake, and began painting in the medium of their choice. Students observed the colors of different objects and mix the colors on site to complete the composition later. Everyone learned to paint quickly as the atmosphere, weather, sunshine, light, and shadows
can change quickly.
After a picnic break, students chose a second location, with another view of the lake, and continued to depict patterns of light and shadow to simplify and enhance their painting.
Alexis Burbank of Jay, a freelance artist and illustrator, studied fine arts at the University of Maine at Machias. She found two interesting areas to paint in acrylic, that showed the activities of the day on the lake.
Beth Ann DeLorey of Chesterville, took her oils to a shady spot near the art canopy. Shadows and highlights continually changed as the clouds moved. Pauline Roy of Jay, worked in acrylics. Wearing her summer hat, she sat beside the lake, painting a scene of the lake and western Maine’s mountains.
Hathaway positioned her French art easel on the patio and painted along with the students, encouraging them to simplify and eliminate unnecessary details. At the end of the afternoon session everyone asked, “Where did the time go?” The wind had changed and the banners on the art canopy fluttered in the light breeze at the close of the workshop.
These students will continue to attend art lessons at the Hathaway Art Studio on Wednesday nights, at 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Others are welcome to attend by contacting the artist: bhaway@myfairpoint.net and view this website for more information: www.hathawaydesignandart.com
Another Pleine Air Workshop is planned for Sept. 30 and an Open House at the Hathaway Art Studio is set for Oct. 25th. Hathaway is scheduled to instruct pastels, watercolor and acrylic through the Mt. Blue RSD 9 Adult & Community Education program this fall. Check their brochure or website for more information or email Hathaway at the email listed.
Wonderful article, so proud of my mom :)