Art and the Outdoors are a Perfect Pair

Looking for a fun, educational way to spend time and exercise your creativity outside? Then upcoming Plein Air Watercolor workshops are the perfect opportunity.

Plein air (French for outdoors) watercolor painting is a technique made popular by French impressionists. French artists would take their canvas out of the typical art studios, and explore the scenes of beauty nature provided. This allowed them to capture and replicate marvelous images “en plein air” or “in the open air.”

You’re in luck with a couple of chances to experience art in the open air at Explore Park with a class in the basics of plein air watercolor painting. Classes are Fridays this month — June  15, 22, and 29 — with afternoon and morning sessions available. Channel your inner French impressionist as you draw, shade, mix color, and design, as well as learn multiple watercolor techniques. No prior experience is required to attend the class. All skill levels of painters are welcome, from stick figure artists to Mona Lisa copycats.

Throughout the course offered by Roanoke County Parks & Recreation, students will create a color mixing chart and several completed paintings of different live natural scenes. All materials will be provided; just sign up, and show up. The program will meet at the Explore Park Visitor Center.

Plein Air Watercolor

When: June 15, 22, and 29 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Where: Explore Park

Register: Online (morning session or afternoon session)

Post by Carter Santrock. Santrock is a summer intern for the Roanoke Regional Partnership. He is a major at Jacksonville State University and will be a senior in the fall.