The Moving Canvas: Adventures in Plein Air II

3 units

Students will use gouache/watercolor to document and synthesize their experiences in the historic city of Florence, Italy via Plein Air (open-air painting), building on skills introduced in Adventures in Plein Air I . The class will undertake the challenges of adaptive painting and create a series of works through direct observation. Studio sessions will introduce fundamentals of composition, variations of light/value, abstraction, and spatial building. Later projects will challenge students to incorporate local pigments, textures, alternative surfaces, and image transfers. Site visits, excursions, and cultural immersion activities will provide context, alongside potential workshops and guest lectures. Students will be assessed on their effort, quality of work, and their participation in discussions and critiques.