summer en plein air workshops
Paint & Picnic – Enjoy a Treat Day Out
Experience a 1/2 Day’s Outdoor Painting Workshop. Unwind & Relax with Lots of Hands-On Help & One-to-One Tuition. Stroll through the Beautiful Surroundings, Enjoying Peace & Tranquillity.
Come & Join Me For A Relaxing Day Of Outdoor Painting In Beautiful Surroundings
Passionate about teaching Nina has over 20 years of experience. Unwind & enjoy an easy, fun, relaxed atmosphere, with lots of hands-on help & one-to-one tuition.
Demonstrations in sketching & painting are given. No need to worry about the rain!! We’re covered – with an area to work in no matter what the weather!!
Previous venues include workshops at: Burtown House & Gardens, Tullynally Castle & Gardens, Kilgar Gardens & Hamwood House.
This year I’m pleased to offer Painting Workshops throughout June, July & August. All levels, all materials supplied, all disciplines covered.
En Plein Air days out will be hosted by Moyglare Manor & Leixlip Castle. Indoor workshops will take place at Gelaldine Hall, Maynooth. Looking forward to sunny days ahead!!!
Half Day @ Moyglare Manor House - 13th July 2024
A magnificent country house built in 1764, Moyglare Manor sits in an old world setting with beautiful views and walks. Formerly a hotel which closed in 2009, the house stood empty for several years. Recently it has been returned to family use as the home of Malcolm Alexander and his wife, Angela, who have carried out extensive renovations to return the house to its former splendour.
It is a little piece of chilled out heaven. Where the sun streams into the rear conservatory in the mornings – an ideal spot for painting!!
Half Day @ Leixlip Castle - 17th August 2024
Leixlip castle was built in 1172 on a rock above the River Liffey at the edge of the English Pale, by Adam de Hereford, a follower of Strongbow, the Norman invader of Ireland. It has passed through many hands and has been in the ownership of the Honourable Desmond Guinness’ family since 1958.
Enjoy a stroll through the gardens, or sit for awhile in the conservatory. With a temple & walled vegetable garden, there is plenty to interest the painter.
The coach house which will be our indoor studio space for the day.
Like The Idea But Have No Clue What To Do Or Where To Start?
Don’t panic!! Nina will be on hand to help you choose a subject / medium, get started, build and then complete your chosen piece. All levels of student ability are catered for from total beginners to intermediate and advanced level students.
No Need To Bring Any Art Materials Or Equipment. The Whole Kit & Kaboole Is Supplied!!
Students can work in their preferred medium or diversify as they choose. Fees include drawing materials for working in pencil, charcoal, or pastel (papers) and painting materials & equipment for oils/acrylics (one canvas per student), or watercolour (papers).
What’s The Plan - Half Day Workshops
Spend a moment or two saying hello over a coffee or juice before getting started. Students are then invited to stroll through the grounds finding their bearings & relaxing into their environs, using viewfinders to seek out subjects that catch the eye. Direction is given on outdoor painting & choosing a scene to paint, practising looking and seeing, thinking about focal points & composition.
Students congregate to see Nina give a demonstration sketch. Then choose their own spot to get set up to work a piece in their preferred medium – oil, acrylic, watercolour, pastel, charcoal or pencil. Nina will advise on medium selection if students are unsure.
After a relaxed break (tea, coffee, juice, water, scones, pastries, fruit & yogurts), students work on their piece. Nina will advise students on their use of colour, texture and overall painting techniques.
Congregate to finish off the day, reviewing work, chatting and taking photos.
If the weather is unfavourable, looking, sketching & photographing will quickly take place outdoors. Longer pieces can then be worked on from our indoor / sheltered area.
What's Included?
Materials for drawing in pencil, charcoal or soft pastel on paper. Painting materials & equipment for working in oils, acrylics, or watercolour. One canvas per student is supplied and watercolour paper as required. Disposable aprons, easels, paint, palettes, brushes palette knives, water tubs, cloths etc are supplied for students use. Students take their work home at the end of the day – usually, a sketch on paper and a painting on canvas or paper.
Entrance to the gardens.
Refreshments – teas/coffees, water/juice, pastries/scones, fresh fruit/yogurt, are included in the fee.
So, What Will I Need?
Wear old clothes and your most comfortable pair of shoes!!! Bring sun cream, sunglasses, bug spray, a big hat, a light warm jacket or raincoat & a camera or phone. If you prefer to work seated bring a camping stool or chair.