Join us for this two-day workshop where artist Ray Roberts will share his method of looking at everything as a studio plaster cast under a spot light; where students will learn to observe the form of objects through light and shadow.

Ray uses a very traditional approach to atelier style learning applied to the landscape or any other subject. He will demonstrate his method of seeing shapes of light and dark and organizing where the subject meets design.

A plein air workshop, Camden's beautiful harbor will be a wide open subject where students will explore architecture, maritime, and water with all of its magic of reflections, ripples, and endless paintings. This workshop will be in oils, though all media are welcome. All levels welcome.

This class is for artists who want to refine their plein air skills. We will paint in various locations in San Diego and Northern San Diego. After the first day we will decide as a class where to paint the next day. The class will include starting two days at 1pm, so that we can paint the sunset. The class is for intermediate to experienced plein air artists. Ray has a number of exercises to allow you to breakthrough in your abilities. We hope that you can join us.

This workshop includes a half-day Zoom orientation and discussion prior to class, preparing students for more painting time for this studio workshop. Understanding Form - Ray will explain how form works and how it works together with value in painting in creating light-filled paintings. Visualizing the Painting - Explore different ways to visualize a painting through photos and devices in black and white. Photoshop, Procreate, and photo apps will be used for looking at scenes through a lens. Design Tools - Discussion of successful design formulas and strategies will be shared and examples shown. Ongoing Tools for Design Strategies – Strategies for ongoing success.

Seeing your scene as a painting and design is key to read-ability. Also, limiting the amount of big shapes or areas of value helps simplify, read clearer, visually has greater impact, and forces you to think about shapes and design.

In this one class lesson, Ray stresses the position of shapes, the amount of space, and contours of shapes to keep the viewer interested. Changing one shapes effects another so lets follow and learn how to avoid the ever present pitfalls in this demo-paint-along.