Spring On Wellesley Drive

This is the painting which is now part of the Seaside Building at the Ventura Community Hospital.

20 x 20" oil

En Studio Aire

Painting outside

Summer Beach

Tree study

Simple shapes and washes make up this quick sketch.

10 x14" H2O 

Harbor Sketch

...looking north from the Ventura Harbor.

 12x12" Oil on Canvas board

Photo_George Scribner 7/23

Ventura Dry Dock

I usually look for complimentary colors to stain the canvas. Here is was a burnt sienna which seems to work well with the overcast day. 12" x 12" oil

Olivas Adobe Rose Garden

Demonstration Painting  in oil  6" x 11".

Something's Cookin'

I am dedicated to bringing something new to my paintings. Here is an example of how I am trying to tie plein air and imagination together in a pntg. Creativity is taking chances with your work.

Airport Hanger Sketch

Here's a sketch of a hanger at the Santa Paula Airport which was stopped when the owner decided to shutter the view. I must have had 35 minutes to work on it. I had the basics in place, so I only had to push some of the spots of color to make it work for me.  11x 14" oil on canvas board

Circus Vargas Big Top

12 x 16 " Oil on canvas board done on an overcast day. There are allot of elements to control when there is so much information. I had to find a way to edit and eliminate some subjects.

Circus Vargas Flags

Painting on a cigar box. I was interested in the flags and tried to keep it loose so that your eye moves around the canvas. Went to the show that evening and enjoyed the performances!

Wood T-Pee

16" x 20"oil on canvas ... The rains brought wood down the river and deposited it on the beaches. For a while there were dozens of these structures along the water's edge. Now only a couple remain.

Mission San Buenaventura

12x 12" oil demo from the May 19th class.... the light came out towards the end of the day and provided a chance to ad some stronger light to the subject.

May 19th, 2018 Workshop... Mission Park, Ventura

Plein air workshop this May 19th is at the Mission Park, Ventura ....Demo starts at 8:59 am and you can also bring your supplies and paint with us. See Class Detail post below....

View Of City Hall, San Buena Ventura

View Of City Hall, Ventura  12 x 16" oil  is a quick painting I did this tuesday from the back of the city hall parking lot. The wind threatened to make havoc of the outing, so I finished it in quick order.

Marina Park

Marina Park is 12 x 16" oil painting in overcast conditions. The sun did peak through the clouds and make for a pleasant day. 

Eucalyptus Tree, Olivas Adobe

This 16" x 20" oil painting was done with the light changing with fog and clouds covering the sun. It was a demonstration on the first day of the plein air workshop. 

It seems like I used the steelyard composition as demonstrated in the Edgar Payne page below.

Cinco De Mayo at the Olivas Adobe

Here is a painting of where we will be painting this Saturday morning. This is a view from outside the walls of the Olivas Adobe in Ventura. The walls and bell tower have been restored to original state, not like the version painted here. I hope to see you at the demonstration.

Ray Harris Plein Air Class Details

                                    photography - Gerald Zwers

Plein Air Workshops   

• These workshop classes will teach you the basics on how to approach plein air painting

so that you can go out into the field and do it on your own. This class covers composition, color,

drawing, and styles of paintings.

• You may use oil, watercolors, acrylics, water-based oils, pastels, or casein.
• Plein Air Ventura will take you to beautiful locations where you’ll learn how to paint on the spot.
• I have been painting plein air since 1980 and have been influenced by Joaquin Sorrolla and John Singer Sargeant works of art. I am a member of the CAC  and have exhibited nationally.
• Plein Air uses outdoor lighting and has changing conditions. It enhances your travels and you see things with a "fresh eye."
• It’s for students of all skill levels. I will teach you the basics of painting, as well as give you confidence in your work.

Class Dates and Locations

May 5 -   9 am 12 Olivas Adobe

May 12-  9am 12  Marina Park

May 19-  9 am 12 Mission Park

May 26   9am 12  Ventura Pier

Demo starts at 9:00 sharp

Price - $160 for four classes

$ 50 for individual classes

Payments may be made through

 PAYPAL https://www.paypal.com/us/home

VENMO     https://venmo.com/

Email ray@rayharrisstudio.com

Plein Air Painting Supplies

LIST OF PAINTING SUPPLIES FOR PLEIN AIR CLASSES

 OIL BRUSHES-  six different sizes  2,4,6 8,10, 12  I favor the bristle, which are rounded square in shape.
WATERCOLOR BRUSHES - Flats, rounds and pointed brushes of several sizes.
Sponges, water, and other items you are used to using.

Easel of your choice,

Palette of your choice, if it does not come with the Easel.

Palette knives, and scrapers for laying in flat shapes and making lines.

Soft charcoal or pencil.

OIL PAINTS -Student grade works fine for most projects and it can save you some money.
I like to have a warm and cool of each primary colors, with a few earth tone, black and white.

Large Titanium White or Mixing White
Ivory Black
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Sienna
Burnt Umber
Viridian Green
Thalo Blue
Cobalt Blue
Alizarin Crimson
Cad Red Medium
Cad Yellow Light
Thinner and jar to clean brushes
Liquin Medium
Paper towels
Small trash bag

Optional Equipment
   Clips to hold thinner container and medium jar in place
   Umbrella that attaches to easel
   TV tray
    Big Straw hat
    Apron
    surgical gloves
    camera
    water and snacks
    a third arm to carry everything :)

Brush Up On Your Plein Air Painting

I am excited about starting a painting class in Ventura County for adults interested in working on their plein air painting. For more information follow me on this blog.