From Plein Air to Studio ~ 5-Day Workshop in Oils
w/ Mike Wise

We’re sorry. This workshop has been canceled. If you are a registered student in this class, please check your email for options.

Date/Time: Wednesday–Sunday / July 15-19 , 2020 / 10:30-5 pm (Meet and greet Tuesday 6-9pm)

Cost: $700

Registration: Call in, come in, or register online. 425.697.2787

Location: 560 Hill Valley Dr Coupeville, Washington 98239, at Mike Wise’s Studio

Description:
Join Mike Wise in his beautiful home studio on Whidbey Island, one of the beautiful islands in Washington’s Puget Sound, for this very special five-day workshop where you will work both outdoors and in studio. Mike will teach his wonderful methods and techniques for capturing stunning landscapes outside, then take them into the studio to finish the paintings with the help of photos taken in the field.

Mike’s studio, newly expanded and remodeled this year, is perfect for a group of 12 students, light and airy with all the accoutrements every artist would want. During this 5-day workshop, students will see the process through from start to finish; gathering information in the field via plein air painting and camera, and using that content to compose studio works. Mike will help students to identify great subject matter and learn how to use reference material gathered in the field to compose dynamic paintings. A master of impressionistic brush stroke, Mike will guide his students in the technique of laying down paint with brushes, palette knife and shapers. He will also discuss how to create a great working studio and how to use technology as a composition tool to create the perfect reference images for painting. The workshop will include a balance of field and studio work.

Enjoy the camaraderie that comes with an extended time of working together with other students and this fantastic instructor. The pastoral beauty of Whidbey Island is a major draw for tourists, and this is a great bonus for this workshop – you’ll be painting these lovely scenes! The grounds of the Wise home and studio are also a feast for the eyes, as you can view in the photos.

A few details:

• There will be a “Meet and Greet” get-together on Tuesday evening July 14th, 6-9pm. This will be an opportunity to meet Mike and Megan, all the students in the workshop, and get to see the studio that will be your home-away- from-home for the next 5 days. Wine and appetizers will be served.

• During the week, Mike will be having the class break for lunch. A sack lunch is the best choice, and there is a nearby store where you can pick up lunch items.

• More details will be coming to all students prior to the workshop.

Please note:
This workshop is suitable for students with some experience in oils; not for beginners.
Not suitable acrylic painting.
Cancellation policy: no refunds for cancellations after June 10.

Supply List:

You can purchase your quality art supplies at ARTspot. Registered students receive a 10% discount on all their art supplies from the time of paid registration until the last day of class. Most items on this list are available at ARTspot. Please let their staff advise you about appropriate art materials to fulfill  requirements for your class.  

Questions about these supplies? ARTspot staff are happy to help you. Call 425-640-6408 or email at ARTspotEdmonds@gmail.com.

Oil Colors – Good quality professional brand such as Gamblin or M. Graham.

Required colors:

• Mixed White (titanium/zinc)

• Titanium White

• Cad Yellow Light

• Yellow Ochre

• Cad Red Light

• Alizarin Crimson

• Venetian Red

• Transparent Red Oxide

• Phthalo green

• French Ultramarine

• Cobalt Blue

• Terra Rosa

Suggested, optional colors (Mike uses the rest of these regularly, however not all will be needed for the class):

• Zinc White

• Hansa Yellow

• Cad Yellow Deep

• Cad Red Medium

• Viridian

• Cobalt Blue

• Dioxazine Purple

• Sap Green

• Azo Green

• Maroon Perylene

Mediums:

• Alkyd or other medium such as Galkyd or Neomegilp
  (note: no stinky mediums or solvents allowed)

• Odorless Mineral Spirits, such as Gamsol, in cleaning tank (Note on cleaning tank: Mike recommends the Silicoil cleaning tank or one of similar size with the wire coil inside. If the tank is too small it will continuously contaminate your mixes as your brushes will never get clean)

Brushes, etc:

• 2 Hog Bristle flat brushes in sizes 6 & 8 (these are long-handled brushes)

• 2 filbert brushes sizes  6 & 8 (these are also the long-handled brushes).  

• One silicone ¼” pointed chisel end shaper

• 1-2 smallish Rigger or liner brush for details (this is a short-handled brush)

• 2 Painting Knives: One ¾” wide oval-shaped and one medium 2” offset triangle-shaped knife

• 1-2 synthetic flats, ½ inch or so – Mike uses the inexpensive “Snap” brushes

• Any other favorite brushes

Panels or stretched canvas:

Up to 12 good quality canvas panels* (depending on how many small paintings you wish to use) in a fine or medium weave - your choice of sizes in this range: 11x14 to 16x20. For plein air, please use whatever size you are comfortable painting in the field... as small as 9x12. Mike will have some panels available for the students to purchase.

IMPORTANT:  Make sure your canvases have a good priming - either buy the Source Tek canvas (which are highly pre-primed) or, if you select a different brand, make sure they have an additional coat of gesso for the priming so they are not absorbent and stain.  (Priming allows the paint to adhere to the surface better, too). Gesso is easily applied with an inexpensive foam roller brush, available at any hardware or paint store. The canvas should also retain a “tooth” to the surface- too slick of a surface with little to no texture will be difficult to use as the paint will slide around too much; a medium texture will work best.

*Note on Mike's choice of Source Tek canvas panels: these are quality panels made with medium weave Belgian linen that do not need extra priming.  It is Mike’s firm opinion that many students’ issues with their paintings could be solved by purchasing quality canvases.

Other:

• Brush cleaner

• Surgical or Exam gloves (Mike also uses his fingers to blend with)

• Reference photos- these need to be large enough to see the details, small 3x5 photos are not suitable. Photos should have an overall strong simple design. Instructor will also have reference material available. (Photos will be used only if inclement weather.)

Plein Air:
Please bring all equipment you usually transport to the field. This should be the equipment you are used to and comfortable using, including:

• Portable easel

• Turpentine tank with good seal- transportable

• Paper towels

• Garbage bags

• Box or other device to transport wet panel

• Sunscreen/bug spray

• Wide brimmed hat

• Folding Chair

• Water Bottle

*If you are using new or borrowed equipment please take it for a few test runs – you do not want to spend half the day learning how to set up.

Lodging:

Lodging is the responsibility of the students. However, you can notify us by phone or email (425.697.2787; info@colegallery.net) if you would like to share your email address with other students, to work out arrangements for sharing accommodations. We have included links to some of the places to stay that are very close to the Wise Studio, including homes to rent, inns, and a nearby campground for the RV’ers.

This VRBO house is 1/2 mile from the Wise home:
(click the following to view)

• Seaview Cottage

 Here are some recommended B&B's and Inns in Coupeville:
(click the following to view)

• The Coupeville Inn

• The Anchorage Inn

• The Captain Whidbey Inn

• The Blue Goose Inn

To view many other really great places to stay in Coupeville:
(click the following to view)

• More Coupeville Lodging

Beautiful Fort Ebey State Park is 1.2 miles down the road from Wise Studio. There is camping, extensive hiking and biking trails, 3 miles of saltwater shoreline, historic WWII battlements and even a popular surfing beach. If you like to use an RV for lodging, this might be a great option for you (click the following to view): RV Lodging