PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Plein Air Watercolour Workshop with Ralf Wall (Raflar)

Saturday, 11 June 2022

 

In partnership with Homer Watson House & Gallery and working with artist Ralf Wall (Raflar), this workshop will explore the art of painting outdoors and allow participants to sharpen their powers of observation. Using watercolours, participants will create their own landscape paintings while building their skills in planning their paintings, understanding colours and value, and learning new painting techniques. This painting workshop will take place in Gairloch Gardens amongst the many flowers, plants and mature trees right by the lakeside. What better place to paint than in such an inspiring environment!

The first 30 minutes of the workshop will include a private tour of the Paul P. exhibition Friendly in the Knife-edged Moment at Oakville Galleries in Gairloch Gardens. The work of Toronto-based artist Paul P. employs the visual aesthetics of the late nineteenth century to consider and commemorate queer social histories, particularly the period of gay liberation that occurred just before the onset of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. The artist is known for portraits appropriated from source material found in the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives. Less well known are his numerous delicate watercolours of gardens, flowers and statuary, as well as seascapes and shorelines, drawn from life over the past 15 years. This exhibition brings together a number of these works—most of them never before exhibited—in a haunting reflection on the aesthetics of longing.

Previous experience is not necessary as this programming is suitable for all levels.

This workshop fee does not include materials. Please see the attached material list.

 

Ages 18+ 

COST: $58.50 for members ($65 for non-members) + HST

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

Time

Saturday 11 June; 1:00pm-5:00pm

 

Location

Oakville Galleries, The Studio & Gairloch Gardens (All on the same site)

Oakville Galleries in Gairloch Gardens

1306 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville

 

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation with a refund must be applied for at least 14 days before your program begins. Refunds are subject to a $25 administrative fee. There are no refunds for cancellations requested less than 14 days before the program begins.

 

INSTRUCTOR STATEMENT & BIO

Ralf Wall (Raflar)

ARTIST STATEMENT

Energy has always played a pertinent role in my body of work. I am inspired by my surroundings, be it the woods or a distant skyline. When I create, it is my desire that those who view my work feel the energy of the surroundings in which the work was created. My watercolour paintings require a delicate hand, and because I often paint in plein air, I will use the water of my surroundings in the dilution of my paint. My acrylic landscapes and abstracts require a palette knife, which allows me to convey the natural environment in an expressive and impressionistic manner. Nature not only inspires my work but also compels me to experiment and explore new mediums and techniques. It is my hope that my love for the outdoors, the energy therein, and the freedom of creation is impressed upon the public through my works.

 

BIOGRAPHY

I have always pursued artistic expression my whole life. As a young child drawing animals and fantastic beasts to learning to play the piano. Eventually this formalized in college learning both commercial and fine arts. I have balanced this throughout my career being both a graphic designer as well as a painter, muralist and instructor of the arts. Most of my time is currently spent at the Homer Watson House & Gallery, promoting the legacy of this beloved Canadian Landscape Artist, instructing there and managing all graphical marketing content. I spend the rest of my time painting in the great outdoors, participating in art festivals and even leading an art safari to Kenya. Art is my life and I strive to bring life to my art.

 

Links

Website:         www.raflar.com

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/WallhallaArtStudio

Instagram:       @Raflar_The_Artist

Cell:                 226-972-7169

                 

 

PLEIN AIR WATERCOLOUR WORKSHOP BREAKDOWN

In my workshop you will find a good balance between friendly interchange and education. My lessons are relaxed, but full of information based on my own first-hand experiences for all participants.

I will show you how to see, what to look for and how to understand what you are looking at, the importance of values (more important than colour), hard and soft edges, colour temperatures and more.

The day will include demonstrations, personal instruction, encouragement and positive critiques for personal growth.

 

SUBJECTS LEARNED:

Sharpening your powers of observation.

Types of light and value planes.

Understanding cool and warm colours.

Simplifying detail for a more powerful statement.

Understanding edges (soft, hard and lost).

Creating atmospheric perspective and the illusion of distance.

Various ways to start a painting.

Making quick field sketches to determine compositions.

Making preliminary value sketches to capture a strong design.

How to fix mistakes on the fly.

 

 

SUPPLIES:

Portable easel

Container for water (I attached a wire to a plastic container to hang from my easel)

Rags or paper towel for cleaning (and plastic bag for garbage - leave the space clean)

Sketchpad and pencil/eraser

Small thin board (I use corrugated plastic) to tape down your watercolour paper

Masking Tape

 

BRUSHES & PAPER

Small selection of brushes (round OR flat of at least 2 sizes each - small and medium)

Sheets of watercolour paper (140lbs or higher - I prefer cold pressed as hot pressed is too smooth for my style)

 

COLOURS

The bare minimum set of colours (in order to mix all others)

1x cool red (e.g.: alizarin crimson OR quinacridone magenta)

1x cool yellow (e.g.: lemon yellow OR azo yellow light)

1x cool blue (e.g.: cerulean blue OR pthalo blue)

 

Suggested colours (but feel free to bring whatever you already have and we can discuss):

1x warm red (e.g.: cadmium red medium OR pyrrole red)

1x cool red (e.g.: alizarin crimson OR quinacridone magenta)

1x warm yellow (e.g.: yellow ochre OR azo yellow deep)

1x cool yellow (e.g.: lemon yellow OR azo yellow light)

1x warm blue (e.g.: ultramarine blue OR prussian blue)

1x cool blue (e.g.: cerulean blue OR pthalo blue)

1x warm brown (e.g.: burnt sienna)

1x cool brown (e.g.: burnt umber)

 

Optional colours

pre-mixed oranges, purples, greens

 

*NOTE: If you already have a collection of paints, you don’t necessarily need to buy more. You can work with what you have, just keep in mind that some of your colours might be different - but that is just fine.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

Clothes appropriate to the weather

Proper footwear

Hat to protect from the sun (and possibly sunscreen)

Folding chair to rest (I prefer to paint standing)

Water, snacks and bag lunch

 

If you are a beginning painter or a studio painter, you are in for a great experience!

 

 

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Ralf Wall

aka Raflar

Artist - watercolour landscapes and abstract acrylics

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Web: www.raflar.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WallhallaArtStudio

Instagram: @Raflar_The_Artist

Cell: 226-972-7169

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