Plein Air Painting Workshop with Mark Boedges in Boulder, CO: A Scottsdale Artists’ School Experience
If you follow my Instagram, I’m sure you’ve seen a post or 5 about this adventure.
The Preface
Last December, while setting my goals for 2024, I decided that I wanted to go on a dedicated art trip. Often, I've wanted to bring my painting gear on vacations with friends and family but had to scrap those dreams due to time constraints and limited cargo space.
In April, I discovered that the Scottsdale Artists' School offered several plein air workshops, and Mark Boedges was my top choice. However, I didn't have the funds to attend. Determined, I researched their scholarships and applied, not expecting to hear back for a few weeks. To my surprise, someone contacted me within 24 hours. I was over the moon! With June approaching, I diligently prepared for the trip.
One major benefit of this workshop was its drivable location, about nine hours away. As an overpacker and a road trip enthusiast, driving was the best option for me. Additionally, I had extended family living an hour from the workshop location, so I stayed with them for two nights, covering my travel days.
When the school rep sent me the logistics it included a “discounted group rate” at a hotel, I looked for cheaper options but ultimately decided to stay at the suggested hotel for peace of mind as a first time solo female traveler. The room, a long-term suite with a mini kitchen and ample space, was such a luxury! It allowed me to spread out and let my paintings dry (I brought a drop cloth). Making my own meals also helped me save money.
In preparation for this adventure, I aimed to be thrifty, but a few items made it into my online shopping cart: new paint tubes, a small can of Gamblin Oil Ground, a couple linen boards, an EasyL Umbrella, and a new camera I'd been eyeing for over six months. Could I have done away without these purchases?…absolutely! But I used everything I brought, making them worthwhile investments. I even DIY-ed most of my panels and created a portable panel rack from leftover Masonite, which proved to be quite nifty.
The Drive
As I rolled out of town, I realized my cruise control wouldn't set! Although sad, I wasn't panicked because it had happened once before. I pulled over, turned on my flashers, and restarted my car, but this time it didn't work. Like any good kid, I called my dad to look up potential fixes while I was on the road. He called me once I crossed the state line and said there was nothing I could do. About four hours into the trip, I tried one last time, and it set! Apparently, an old battery can disable the cruise control function.
The drive was beautiful but filled with unexpected traffic, turning a nine-hour trip into eleven hours. I crossed the Continental Divide and experienced my brakes getting warm for the first time. The steep decline was too much for my lower gear, so I gently pumped my brakes to avoid break neck speeds. When I finally arrived at my family member's house, I felt like my body was still vibrating from the drive.
The Workshop
I woke up early and drove to our first painting location, where I was surprised to see a familiar face in the crowd: an artist from one of the mentorship programs my job runs. Meeting them in person and chatting was wonderful, and we ended up carpooling later in the week, quickly becoming fast friends. The group was diverse, with participants of varying ages, skills, and equipment. At 26, I was the second youngest. Most days followed a similar pattern: meeting at 8:30 a.m. at various coordinates, watching Mark’s demo until noon, breaking for lunch, then painting with critiques around 3:30-4 p.m.
Day 1: My mind was melted from the drive and the notes from the demo. I also have a chronic dry eye condition which flared up spectacularly, leaving me feeling less than my best. Thankfully, there was no critique that day, and I was eager to check into my hotel and settle in. However, an accident on the highway resulted in crawling traffic. A manual transmission truck in front of me wasn’t paying attention, rolled back, and hit me with its 4-pronged trailer hitch as I honked desperately. I couldn't pull over to check the damage or see the their license plate due to a dark cover. (Are those covers illegal? It feels like they are) Once the road opened up, I sped up to him and motioned for the driver to pull over, but he sped up going over 90 mph and exited the freeway. Finally able to stop, and flipped my emergency flashers for the second time in two days, I saw my front hitch cover hanging and evidence that the plastic bumper pushed in a bit. Although the damage was minor, my sleep-deprived brain was overwhelmed. After checking in at the hotel, I hit the nearest grocery store and gas station, trying to forget the earlier craziness.
Day 2: After another beautiful demo filled with some really smart insights that I had never thought before. I hiked to “Artist's Point” and painted near a cliff's edge, getting sunburned on the lower half of my face. I lost track of time and was late for the critique, only catching the last half, which was super embarrassing because we had a talk earlier about all being adults and that Mark was going to start promptly at 3:45pm.
Day 3: We went to a new location up Boulder Canyon near a river and had to deal with some changing weather. The morning was overcast while the afternoon was dabbled in light and shade. With limited space on the trail, I squeezed between two painters and attempted to capture the rushing water, which quickly became a mushy mess.
Day 4: We returned to the same spot as the previous day. The morning was sunny and gorgeous, but the afternoon brought a thunderstorm. I was almost grateful because I wasn’t sure how to design the background trees in my composition. As soon as critiques were over, my friend and I hurried to the car as big, fat raindrops started falling.
That evening, I explored the town and nearby cities. One of my hobbies is visiting Carnegie Libraries, built with donations from businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. A total of 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, with 1,689 in the United States. I had to stop and take a selfie at Boulder’s. Later that night, I packed up and prepared to check out the next morning.
Day 5: I got up early, finished packing the car, and drove to Boulder Falls, a new location further up the canyon. Parking was limited, and we knew this demo would be different due to the deafening sound of the waterfall, making conversation nearly impossible. It was one of the most stunning places I have ever been. Without distractions, Mark finished his demo in record time. I decided that the location was too crowded and it could be dangerous if anymore people set up in that area and drove down the mountain to find a new spot. I pulled off the road on to the shoulder a few times to find the right composition. I started painting but quickly pivoted to another nearby scene involving rushing water, similar to Day 3. This time, I was happier with the results. While I thought more people would stay for the last critique, only six of the original sixteen participants remained.
The Close
I drove back to my family member’s home and woke up super early, hoping to beat the traffic I encountered on the way into Colorado. Though I still hit some traffic, it wasn't as bad as the first time. It took a while for my cruise control to kick in, and I was anxious to get home and be in my own space. Before I knew it, I crossed the Utah state line, the speed limit kicked up, and I made it home in record time.
After a week of reflecting on this adventure, here’s what I’ve learned:
When painting en plein air, always go two shades lighter in value and two shades cooler than what you see.
Leading the eye is a myth. Humans look for high contrast, saturation, value, and texture.
Always start with the easiest thing you see.
One right decision begets another right decision.
You need to see the light/shadow relationships within the first 30 minutes.
Aim for a focal area, not a focal point.
Your darkest dark is always warm.
Observe. Observe. Observe.
A Thank You
I wanted to thank Scottsdale Artists’ School for the incredible experience I had at the Plein Air Painting Workshop with Mark Boedges in Boulder, CO. This workshop was a dream come true, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to participate, especially with the support of the scholarship I received.
From the detailed and insightful demos by Mark to the beautiful and inspiring locations we painted at, every aspect of this workshop exceeded my expectations. I learned invaluable techniques and principles that have already made a significant impact on my work. Also, the camaraderie and connections I made with fellow artists added to the entire experience!
YouTube
Curious about what it's like to experience a plein air painting workshop with Mark Boedges? Watch my latest YouTube video documenting every breathtaking moment, from painting stunning landscapes to valuable insights gained. Click the link below to watch now, and don't forget to subscribe to Emma Jean Fine Art for more art adventures!
