Painting en Plein Air: Stony Creek Beach
Adult | Registration opens 4/29/2026 8:00 PM EDT
Plein air painting is a wonderful way to experience light, atmosphere, and the outdoors. Choosing what to paint can feel challenging, but your subject doesn’t need to be a grand vista; simply focus on what interests you. Begin with a quick, light pencil sketch to capture the main shapes, focusing on observation and speed. Then use light washes to block in the main areas of color. Start with the lightest values and gradually build depth and intensity while keeping your painting loose and spontaneous. If you run out of time or want to continue later, take a quick photo for reference. This workshop will take place at Stony Creek Beach. Please meet first at GAC, and class will move to the offsite location. This class has a required materials list.
- Class will work outdoors at Stony Creek Beach, weather permitting, indoors if needed. Please meet first at GAC and class will then move to the off site location.
- Palette: 18 deep well plastic travel palette
- Brushes: varied round and flat brushes, pencil, eraser
- If you have travel paints, use them- travel light and mix your colors.
- Watercolor cold press pad- It should not be large, but %140 lb weight.
- Watercolors of choice.I use Beste., though stay away from Loft paints and brushes
- Water bottle and sprayer
- Pack of Kleenex or paper towels.
- Filled water jars.
- Drawing boards
- Sponges
- You may need a folding chair of sorts or a blanket if you wish to sit- there are only 2 picnic tables available.
Lisa Arnold
Holds a BFA from Syracuse University. She presently teaches at Silvermine School Of Art. Lisa has presented art history lectures throughout Connecticut as well as exhibited her art work.