Plein Air Ventura

Thursday, May 17, 2018

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....

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

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.

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

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.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

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.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

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

Friday, April 20, 2018

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 :)

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

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.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Magestic Theater, Ventura

Magestic Theater, Ventura 12 x 12 oil

Sunday, July 2, 2017

En Plein Air?

Not really "en plein air" but the model is wearing a hat to keep the light off of her, so maybe it will pass for it..Maybe I should rename the site to Direct from life painting. 12 x 12" oil

Circus Vargas From A Drone

I have always wanted to free myself from the typical views from ground level. Here is one that I have done that. 12 x 12" oil on canvas board

Monday, May 29, 2017

Circus Vargas Ticket Booth

I painted this early afternoon as the light was shifting from left to right. The sky was mostly cloudy and it was a typical May day in Ventura with some fog and haze. This is a work in progress as there is so much drawing that needs to be addressed. 11x14 oil/canvas

Circus Vargas With Palms

I am looking for ways to explore the circus with unconventional views. I am trying to tone down the colors and find ways to bring the local elements into the compositions. 11x 14" oil

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Circus Vargas Workway

I challenged myself in this painting with some drawing and perspective problems. It is a work in progress and I like to wait a few days to let the oils dry and have a fresh view of the painting.

Circus Vargas Front Entrance

This is a straight on view which the challenge was to lead the viewer into the format. It is a busy mess of color and flat planes. I should have tried something simple, but I have learned as much from mistakes as successes.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Circus Vargas With Ventura Hillside

Another 12 x 12 oil of the overcast May day in Ventura. I might go back in and cool the sky down in order to have it recede in the painting. This is about a 45 minute sketch.on a cool morning after checking the surf.

Here's my palette setup. I usually have a warm and cool of each primary, a couple earth hues, several whites and ivory black. I certainly need them for circus and carnival paintings.

Circus Vargas 2017

Circus Vargas, Overcast day 11x14" oil I love to paint bright colorful images on a cloudy day. Here is the first of many from the circus. It's been great working at this location where I have a chance to meet the performers and go the shows. This is the first post in some time, because I have beenworking on a series of studio paintings and traveling outside of Ventura County.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Texaco

This is the second pass on a location at the Santa Paula Airport.12 x 12" oil/canvas

Monday, November 28, 2016

Amigo's

George Scribner and I painted from the parking structure looking at the alley behind Main Street. I worked on this after laying it in. It has been donated to a fundraiser for the Children's Art Fund at Vita Art Center in Bell Arts. 12 x 12" oil on canvas board......