Abstraction and Narrative in the Landscape with Christie Scheele

All landscape carries some kind of a story, from the merest hint of one created by our own associations to paintings that document something very specific about the world around us. In this workshop we will investigate how formal elements such as color, line, surface, shape, and composition have expressive power in their own right and can coalesce into a landscape painting that has both abstract and narrative depth.

Students will advance their understanding of how painterly concerns interact with subject matter to create mood and story in the depiction of the landscape. Using photographic reference—an excellent tool for providing infinite choices of season, time of day, and locale—students will be able to choose elements from one or several photos to paint a landscape that could exist in nature, but probably does not. The emphasis is on what works as a painting.

Discussion and demonstration includes how to achieve a very specific narrative and how, conversely, to create a more open conversation. Special attention will be given to the reduction of detail within the scene depicted, a route to abstraction that allows the artist to explore dynamic shape and composition with an eye toward surface interest. Each shape (positive or negative) must be there for reasons that read well both as a landscape element and as an abstract form. Color—value, temperature, contrast, and saturation should create richness and depth, enhancing the composition and story.

Students can choose to learn the steps of how I prepare a canvas, mix a palette, and apply paint, or explore the principles introduced above using their own technique. All will begin with an analysis of their reference, sketching to establish composition, and then move on to mixing their palette, which will be critiqued before the painting begins. The narrative intentions of each student, with every new painting initiated, will also be discussed.

Beginners to advanced painters are welcome, and students can work in a range of sizes.

Suitable for artists working in oil, acrylic, or watercolor.

View materials list here.

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Cancellation within 14 days of a workshop start date results in the full loss of tuition. Workshops may be canceled by PAAM up to one day in advance due to under-enrollment. In this case, tuition will be refunded in full.

The Museum School is not responsible for losses incurred due to housing, travel or other arrangements.

All participants are expected to arrive on time and to cultivate an attitude of mutual respect towards others. PAAM is committed to providing all participants with meaningful and productive educational experiences. As a result, PAAM reserves the right to refuse admission to any workshop, or to deny further participation to anyone who may adversely affect the quality of the educational experience. Anyone denied access to the remainder of a session, at the sole discretion of PAAM, will not be granted a refund.

No pets are allowed in our studios.