Week 1+2 of Nathan Fowkes Plein air watercolor course

A few months ago I decided that it was about time I took some kind of art class, since through my art block I feel like my art progression has stagnated a lot, and I needed to get out of my comfort zone to break through it and learn something new.

I really wanted to do one of those critiqued Schoolism classes, but there weren't many spots open, so I really couldn't even choose what I wanted to learn, it was chosen for me. Luckily for me, one of my favorite artists Nathan Fowkes (Bg artist for Prince of Egypt, Spirit, Rio) had ONE spot open in his water color plein air class, so I signed up as quick as I could.

Now I have never done plein air OR water color, which I feel like is almost sinful, as water color is one of the most versatile and eye pleasing mediums there are, so I thought this is the perfect class for me to get out of my comfort zone. And boy, I'm already out of it.

Each week we have to watch some instructional videos with demoes and lectures, and then we have to turn in some homework. The first two weeks we have only been using B&W black water color and white gouache, but we are moving on to color next! We also get video critiques on our HW.

Week 1 are studies from existing plein air paintings, mine are on the right

Week 2. These are all painted from life, the picture is just to show the teacher.

So my first experience with plein air is that it's HARD. It's a completely different experience being outside painting to copying an image at my desk. But I'm learning a lot, hoping I get to experience some progress as the weeks pass!