FALL SESSION / OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2024
The Sky & Clouds & Land & Air course has evolved so much since I started teaching it over four years ago and I’m happy to offer another online version this fall.
Yes, this workshop is about sketching small scale landscape motifs with a focus on sky and clouds and is packed with tons of informative skill-building content to help students of all skill levels define and reinforce their painting practice, but it has grown to include the wider concentration of guiding students toward developing a consistent creative practice that optimizes their studio time and hones their singular creative voice.
It’s about practicing practice which clears a path to balancing skillful execution with intuitive painting. The SCLA practice provides students with practical methodologies to help:
create a catalog of sketches to use as reference when making studio paintings
become confident using a limited palette to sketch
manage a full palette to finish paintings
balance direct and indirect painting methods
create larger scale paintings from the small sketches in a way that preserves the spirit of the sketch while producing a refined final painting
use monochromatic block-ins to create value-maps and build large scale paintings
take the preciousness out of the process and improve creative decision making on both the palette and canvas
choose progress over perfection in both sketches and studio paintings
So clouds and sky and land and air are the vehicles we use to get to a place of creative proficiency where we are more comfortable and confident with the medium and the process of painting this or any other subject matter.
FALL SESSION HAS 12 hours of instruction:
Six 2-hour group classes
Six weekly 30-min Check-Ins
Unlimited access to HD video recordings of class for the duration of the workshop plus access for three extra months
Membership in a private Facebook Group for SCLA students
*Bonus group critique night
**IMPORTANT NOTE**
Teaching online is amazing and in some ways, offers so much more than in-person classes. Scheduling time for a live online class can be tricky because most people work during weekdays and can’t sit in a two hour class. The good news is that students DO NOT have to be present in the live class because all classes are recorded in HD and uploaded to the site by the morning after class. So if you can’t make the Wednesday meeting time of 12-2pm EST, you won’t miss anything because you can watch the class video and paint along with the demos as soon as it’s uploaded. Well, the only thing you miss is the ability to ask questions in real time but you can still ask those in your weekly one-on-one Check-Ins.
Sky & Clouds & Land & Air - ONLINE WORKSHOP
Level 1 / Painted Sketch Inventions & Variations on a Theme
Level 2 / Developing a Studio Painting from Your Sketches
OCTOBER 17 - November 21, 2024
Thursdays 12 - 2pm EST
$650
SCLA OVERVIEW
This workshop isn’t a step by step on how to paint clouds from photos. It goes much further than that even though I share all the practical and theoretical information about how I paint them. The workshop revolves around the practice of inventing small scale landscape motifs as painted sketches.‘Landscape’ because that’s what provides the context and counterbalance to the sky. ‘Sketches’ because that label somehow moves our mindset away from the formal (and sometimes tyrannical) thinking that only highly detailed ‘traditional’ paintings can be masterpieces (or valid). Sketching as a practice, is steeped in the potential energy of exploratory mark making and when we adopt that energy, we allow ourselves to take the preciousness out of what we’re making and in turn, reorganize our choices into a new space to freely play with variations on a theme.
The sketching mindset helped me reexamine how I felt about starting something without knowing where it’s going to end. It transformed a deer in headlights feeling to one of trusting myself to figure it out as I went along. Painting intuitively is actually a way of developing our technique rather than only our skills.
We start by using a limited palette variation I call ‘muted scale’. It’s essentially using low chroma colors and neutrals as stand-ins for higher chroma colors during the early stages of composing a painting. As the composition is worked out and solidified, higher chroma colors are worked in directly, or by glazing to finish the painting.
During this workshop, we work with a direct painting method as both an end in itself and as a set-up for indirect painting methods used during the finishing phases. Direct painting is more intuitive and done quickly and reactively. Indirect painting seeks to refine those initial decisions while still honoring the spirit present in the early stages of the sketch.
Our goals with these exercises are:
To gain a better understanding of how to use direct painting both as an end in itself, and as a set-up for indirect finishing phases
To use low chroma colors to compose paintings from imagination and introduce high chroma colors both directly and indirectly as the painting
moves from beginning to finishing stagesTo keep value and design in mind as drivers of the composition while still painting freely and listening to what the painting wants
To learn to use glazing as a way to shift temperature and tone
To reconsider the concept and use of color harmony and make definitive color choices from the start
To get comfortable with invention, improvisation, intuitive painting, and detachment from outcomes
**All mediums are welcome and the palette will work for acrylic, watercolor, and pastel. I demo and work in oil and some of the techniques are specific to that medium, however the concepts are universal and can be applied to any medium. I’ve had students work in acrylic, pastel, watercolor, and gouache with great success
ONLINE GROUP CLASS STRUCTURE
The set-up for online classes. There will be a camera directly in front of my panel so you can see every brush stroke and one directly above my palette so you can see every mix
Week One
Introductions and overview of SCLA course
Explanation of materials, board set-up, and palette.
SCLA Keynote Presentation which outlines all the technical and academic principles behind what we will be working on. (sample video below)
Short ‘tech-tour’ to introduce students to SCLA Check-In scheduling menu
Palette Tour and intro to ‘muted scale’ palette
Explanation on ‘The Four Phases Process’
Live demo of phase one: block-ins : I recommend students just watch the demos and listen to the real time narration instead of painting along in real time. Some students, especially beginners, use the HD recording to paint along with the demo in order to directly follow what I do. This is a great idea for those who are not used to inventing motifs or simply want to copy the demos week to week and match my brushwork and process. I’m totally ok with students copying my demos as a vehicle to learn the process.
*NOTE- Students will be visible and unmuted during the class and encouraged to
ask questions during the demos and contribute to the group critiques
Week Two
Each class opens with a Q&A Session followed by a recap of the technical principles in a segment called, Ways to Begin & Things to Remember.
Demo of phase 2 & 3 / Articulating the block-in and Refining the design
Discussions on temperature vs color, brevity in the sketch, variations on a theme, and considering the introduction of a full palette.
Week Three
Intro to Finishing Phase / Discussion on refining a painting without over-processing it
Q&A and Ways to Begin & Things to Remember
Demo on glazing, introduction of higher chroma colors
Week Four
Q&A and Ways to Begin & Things to Remember
Review of final sketches
Intro to Level 2 / SCLA Keynote Level 2 Developing a Studio Painting from Sketches
Level 2 SCLA Online is an extended exploration of the exercise we started in Level 1 and an opportunity to develop a process of translating sketches into larger studio paintings. It’s also the next step in framing out a body of work that feels coherent in both technique and concept. Once L2 is completed, students can enter into the StudioWork Mentorship Program to keep the momentum going while they build a body work separate from what they made in SCLA and more aligned with their own vision and voice.
Prerecorded Video Demos on the four ways I use to block in larger work including monochromatic using Indigo Blue, Burnt Umber, Direct Painting, and much more.
Week Five
Q&A and Ways to Begin & Things to Remember
More pre-recorded video demos on starting and completing large scale paintings
Group In-Progress crit of students larger paintings
Week Six
Final Q&A and Ways to Begin & Things to Remember featuring final thoughts and reading list
Group presentations of sketches and the large paintings made from them
ONE-ON-ONE CHECK-INS
Along with the 2-hour group class meetings, students receive a weekly one-on-one 30 minute Zoom meeting to review in-progress work. These sessions are part of your tuition and not an extra charge. Check-Ins have fast become one of my favorite features of online teaching because they provide the time and space to connect with students and give attention to their individual painting issues and questions.
Along with that is the amazing opportunity for students to watch a screen share as I demonstrate directly on the image of their painting using Photoshop. This practice has become a profound resource for students as it allows for real time visuals that help illustrate how changes in value, color, composition, edges, texture, and more effect their painting. A screen shot of their digitally edited painting can then guide them as they rework their actually painting before the next group class.
HOW IT WORKS
Students make their appointments using the scheduling menu. Scroll to the bottom of this page.
Select ‘Check-Ins’ and follow the prompts to select your day and time. You’ll receive a confirmation email immediately that contains your zoom meeting id.
Before your appointment, email a jpg of your work in progress to studioworksessions@gmail.com with your name and class time in the subject
During out meeting I’ll import your jpg into Photoshop and digitally ‘paint’ on it to help clarify any technical issues like value, color, composition, edges, etc.
Students will have the option of recording their one-on-one critiques to watch again anytime
LEVEL ONE FOUR WEEK DEMO IN 30 MINUTES
Below is a small sample of what the online class looks like and the content covered in each phase of demos. This is about 6 hours of demoing condensed to 30 minutes. As stated above, each class covers a different phase of the process, so week one is block-in, week two: articulating the block in, week three: refining, week four: finishing phase. As we move into the Level 2 classes, I show prerecorded demos of large scale paintings from sketch to completion including monochromatic block-ins, direct painting, full glazing, etc.
MATERIALS
Students are always curious about my paints, brushes, mediums, and other studio materials. Below is a list of everything I use to paint sketches for SCLA but please understand that you are not required to buy these specific materials in order to take this workshop. You can use any brands of paint and brushes you’re comfortable with.
All the materials are linked so you can simply click anything and purchase it. I go over everything I use and how to set up boards in the first class.
CANVAS AND PAPER
Arches Oleo Paper (12x16 pad)
*This is the paper I use for my studies. It works well as-is, however I prefer it with two coats of gesso and some sanding. Click here to purchase
Canson Canva Paper (16x20 or 18x24)
This paper is great right off the pad. No need to gesso it as it already primed. It’s got a texture and tooth similar to primed linen and it’s very easy to paint on
Centurion Linen Paper (16x20 or 18x24)
This paper is silky and non-absorbent. It’s basically like using un-stretched linen.
BRUSHES
Brushes are so subjective so here is a list of ones that I like and use regularly. *Choose what works best for you and don’t feel obligated to have these brands
Rosemary & Co.
Ivory Series 2, 4, 6 long filberts, long flats
Evergreen Short Flats 6, 10
Ultimate Long Flats & Ultimate Long Filberts
*(I use almost every size in this series. Use what works for the size of your work)Princeton ASPEN series
Flats, Egberts, Filberts 2,4,6,8,10Princeton Catalyst Polytip BristleDaggers, flats, filberts 2,4,6,8,10
Utrecht Synthetic
Flats Sizes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10Silver Grand Prix Bright Long Handle
Bright, Flat, Filbert Sizes 2, 6, 8, 10Blick Essentials Value Brush Set12-Pack Long Handle Flat Brown Nylon
EASEL LIGHT
I use this Daylight Techne Artists Drafting Lamp over my easel during this class and attach it to my pochade box when I teach at other studios. It has three levels of brightness and a long, thin design which means it doesn’t create any hotspots. It comes with a clamp to attach it to a flat surface or a universal fit easel mount that slides over the mast of any easel. You can purchase the lamp here
ESSENTIAL PAINTS
Titanium White
Flake White Replacement
Gamblin Warm White
Titanium Buff
Gamblin Portland Grey Light
Cerulean Blue (Hue)
Ultramarine Blue Deep
Cobalt Blue
Cadmium Red Light
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Naples Yellow Light
Oxide of Chromium Green
Sap Green
Burnt Sienna
Raw Umber
Burnt Umber
Paynes Grey
OPTIONAL PAINTS
Ivory Black
Indigo Blue
Radiant Turquoise (Gamblin)
Turquoise Light
Napthol Red Light
Quinachridone Red
Hansa Yellow Light
Yellow Ochre Pale
Cadmium Orange
Violet Pastel
Transparent White
Some of the first painted sketches I made in late 2016. The first one on the top row was directly painted in one session and then glazed warmer in another session. The rest of this group was done with ‘dirty’ brushes at the end of painting sessions.
MEDIUM & GESSO
I mostly use linseed oil alone or else cut with some Gamsol when I work on these sketches. It helps keep the paint thin and establishes a workable flow.
It should work fine for you as well especially since we have a week between classes for the paint to dry. I also use Liquin to glaze toward the later stages of the painting or if I need the painting to dry quicker. If you prefer a solvent free painting medium, Gamblin makes a ‘gel’, and so do many other companies. Choose what works best for you.
My favorite acrylic gesso (for now) is:
Golden Acrylic Gesso
MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS
Viva Paper Towels or lint free rags like old T-shirts
White painters tape (I find the blue painters tape visually distracting)
FOR ACRYLIC PAINTERS
For students painting in acrylic paint, I’ve found the brands below to have the closest matches to the colors listed above
Also useful for acrylic painters looking to glaze:
TESTIMONIALS
“This was the best workshop I have taken, and I have been to a few over the years. You are a great and encouraging teacher. Thank you so much for doing this! The online format was very helpful. It really helps to be able to watch the recordings and practice. In a 3-5 day workshop the training is focused and intense, and I wouldn’t have so many life distractions, but I also end up forgetting a lot...Thank you so much for the critiques! So, so helpful! I’ve been terrified of critiques. I’ve been to many where our work was torn apart verbally. You critiques were helpful and honest to each person’s level and ability and uplifting and encouraging. ”
“I did both the in person SCLA workshop and the online level 2 class. In that time I’ve not only grown in my understanding of what I’m doing but have learned a tremendous amount about how to approach the work. Adriano is hands down one of the kindest, most considerate and knowledgeable instructors I’ve had. He honors where you are in your process as well as giving you valuable information on improving as an artist. I am very grateful I’ve had the experience of his classes.”
“I throughly enjoyed Adriano’s workshop. He is a gifted instructor who exudes patience and calmness . He is overly generous with his time to help both in the class and the valuable weekly critiques. He is incredibly knowledgeable! ”
“ Cost was very fair. You provided a lot of technical support, hours of instruction plus critique. I thought it was a great value.Loved the techniques, learned some painting concepts I should have learned in college, loved the info about palette set-up, value, and chroma.
I would be unlikely to travel to Eastern PA for a workshop, and I am extremely shy about working in front of other people, so this was a great fit for me. That being said, now I’d love to come take a class in person.”
“Adriano is generous, knowledgeable and thoughtful when he is sharing information. I particularly loved the one-on-one 30 minute critique sessions.
Adriano, in true teacher fashion, was ultra prepared and always worked to offer his students the best experience.
”
“I loved the workshop! I learned so much in just a few sessions, about materials, a methodical way to get started and things to remember while working. The tone was perfect: friendly and positive, but also straightforward, professional and always focused on the work to be done. I also learned a lot about myself and the way to slow myself down and be objective in revisiting an image, and being freer to let the painting tell you what it needs. that was a HUGE revelation to me, and took the direction to one of doing what is best for the evolving image, not what I had a preconception that it should be.”
“Working with Adriano has been one of the best choices I’ve made to enhance my skills and mindset as a painter. His knowledge of composition, color and making paintings helped me reach a new level as an artist. If you are looking to grow and learn and are open to something new this is the course to take. Level I and Level II expanded my acumen as a painter. His ability to identify assets and strengths in my work was a real plus. I found his personality to be no-nonsense, positive and encouraging.”
“I highly recommend Adriano’s SCLA workshop- the combination of zoom classes and one on one meetings make it feel like an in person workshop without the travel risk or expense. Adriano has a great descriptive teaching manner that really helped me understand each class objective and then the weekly one on one zoom was a way for me to feel that I was on track and ready for the next class session. Well worth the price for the personal interaction”
“Adriano is an incredible artist and teacher, and his online workshops are the perfect balance of demonstrations, technique, and personalized instruction. The Sky & Clouds & Land & Air courses have helped me grow tremendously as an artist, in both skill and confidence. I’m amazed at the amount of knowledge I’ve gained for my studio practice!”
“An excellent and focused workshop full of information, personal attention and constructive feedback of my sketches and paintings. jc
Gave me a solid working process to follow which provides a good base before starting larger paintings. jc
Adriano shared how he thinks while painting which has helped me get out of my own way to become more focused.”
“Adriano is a very inspiring artist and a generous instructor. He clearly articulates how to use different color palettes and color mixes to achieve a feeling of airiness and light, and he helps students achieve their individual goals.
He has invested in technology to make the
online instruction experience as illuminating
as possible.”
“This class more than met my expectations! It was awesome to watch Adriano paint during the demos while explaining his thought process. The one on one sessions were so very helpful as Adriano critiqued my work and had the technology to add to and paint over my sketches and offer guidance for improvement. I definitely recommend this great class!!”
“ I’ve been to several landscape painting workshops. Adriano’s has been my favorite. I find that I’m not a technical “heady” artist and so his intuitive process really speaks to me. He made it approachable with his kindness and encouragement. I feel I have a better understanding of how to keep moving
through the sketches.
In many ways I became a landscape artist because I love the landscape. I enjoy hiking and exploring it. Adriano’s class reminds me of those walks. I don’t know what I’ll find but I know it’s out there. It takes work (and I get tired along the way, get lost or stumble) but it’s always worth the work for the discovery, the beauty and the
gratitude it brings.”
“ I’d recommend this workshop to anyone looking to expand and develop their artistic practice. Adriano is an unusually gifted painter and watching him work is truly inspiring. He describes and illustrates his process in a grounded fashion. While I’m sure he is capable of high minded art-speak he uses a non-academic vernacular that any artist at any level of ability or training can relate to and learn from. He has devised a clever and practical series of excercises that lead you along a path of discovery and invention. After thirty years of full time painting I needed to refresh and reset my ingrained habits and Adriano’s workshops were the perfect fit for me. I will be working with Adriano again in the near future for sure.”
“The way his class is organized and the focus on process is perfection. Adriano is a wonderful coach and understands that learning a new skill requires simplification and encouragement. This class is an amazing experience.”
“Beyond Adriano’s technical and formal knowledge, he is an excellent coach. It is rare that a teacher can move beyond their own personal “style” to help a student who works/paints differently. I appreciated his coaching and feel like that, more than anything will help accelerate my art journey. ”
SCHEDULE YOUR ONE-ON-ONE CHECK-INS HERE
Select ‘Check-Ins’ from the menu below and follow the prompts to select your day and time. You’ll receive a confirmation email immediately that contains your zoom meeting id. Save that id as it will be used for all of your appointments.
Before your appointment, email a jpg of your work in progress to studioworksessions@gmail.com with your name and class time in the subject. During out meeting I’ll import your jpg into Photoshop and digitally ‘paint’ on it to help clarify any technical issues like value, color, composition, edges, etc. Students will have the option of recording their one-on-one critiques to watch again anytime.
SIGN UP
Sky & Clouds & Land & Air - ONLINE WORKSHOP
Level 1 / Painted Sketch Inventions & Variations on a Theme
Level 2 / Developing a Studio Painting from Your Sketches
October 17 - November 21, 2024
Fridays 12 - 2pm EST
$650
SUMMER SESSION HAS 12 hours of instruction:
Six 2-hour group classes
Six weekly 30-min Check-Ins
Unlimited access to HD video recordings of class for the duration of the workshop plus access for three extra months
Membership in a private Facebook Group for SCLA students
*Bonus group critique night
NOTE: There are payment plans available. If you need to split payments into two or four installments, please let me know and I’ll send you the link to do so.