Students will paint outdoors, in the plein air painting style that involves being in direct contact with nature and the elements. The term is French for "in the open air" and was popularized by the French Impressionists. Plein-air painting is often associated with landscape painting, but in this class, we will focus on animal portraiture. 

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This class meets monthly. Students will learn to see as artists and develop skills of artistic observation. The class will be guided to observe details in a new animal portrait each month. All participants will have a completed painting to take home.

Students from 3rd-12th grade are welcome. Teachers work with students individually according to their age and ability. 

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Students will be taught painting elements such as:

-Elements of Composition

-Light and shadows

-Creating depth

-Details in animal portraiture

-Perspective

-Color theory

-Brush techniques 

-Blending

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Students will paint using a traditional French box easel and pallet in the beautiful Elk Grove Regional Park. Specific location in the park will be sent to enrolled families only.