Rocks are rarely the center of attention in a plein air painting, but, if considered thoughtfully, and given great care, they can add richness, depth, and a greater sense of realism to your landscape paintings. Grand Marais has a great variety of rocks to study and paint, so why not dig in and learn more about them?

This workshop offers considerations when painting individual rocks, rock groups, and stone slabs in a plein air setting.  A demonstration will offer techniques and insights into capturing beauty, variety, and unity with the goal of painting rocks that look and feel like rocks.  Participants will then have an opportunity to practice newly learned insights by starting a painting of their own. The course will cover the following topics:

• Scene selection / composition
• Grouping shapes and finding unity in shadows
• Seeing and capturing subtle warm and cool colors found in rock shadows
• Color harmonies and neutrals in rock colors
• Value considerations
• Challenges and tips associated with painting rocks on location 

What to bring:

• Sunscreen, insect repellant, water bottle
• Notebook and pencil for taking notes
• Painting rig and supplies
• All mediums welcome; instructor's medium is oil
• Suggested palette: warm and cool of each primary plus black and white

Where to meet:

• Meet at the breakwater trail to Artists Point
• Park in the small unpaved lot behind the Coast Guard Station