Play of Light and Shadows: Oil Painting in the Sierra

Dates: July 27-Aug 1, 2025
Instructor: Inga Poslitur
Fee: $525.00 + meals and accommodations fees
Term: Summer 2025

Workshop Description

“Art is, after all, only a trace – like a footprint which shows that one has walked bravely and in great happiness.” 
― Robert Henri

Unlock your full potential as an artist and join me on this 5-day hands-on painting workshop this summer. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and enhance your skills with design studies, values observations, color relationships, and techniques for outdoor painting. Whether you are an experienced painter or just starting out, this workshop will provide valuable insights and tools to elevate your art to the next level. 

In this workshop, I will be focusing on the importance of gesture, design in composition, and how to simplify landscape complexity by focusing on values and painting shapes instead of things. I'll be demonstrating with oil paints, but you're welcome to use the preferred opaque medium of your choice, whether that be acrylics, gouache, or water-based oils.

By the end of the workshop, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to continue your artistic journey, whether in your home studio or in the great outdoors.

Painter in the meadow
Inga Poslitur

Instructor Bio

Inga Poslitur

Inga Poslitur is an accomplished, award-winning fine artist, illustrator and educator with more than two decades of professional experience. For the past elleven years she has been teaching at the San Jose State University, Animation and Illustration Program. Her paintings have been exhibited at the STUDIO gallery, San Francisco, Art Gotham gallery, Iona College Council on the Arts, Afif Gallery, A.I.R. Gallery, Smithtownship Arts, Council, New Rochelle Art Association, The Fashion Institute of Technology, Salmagundi Club, NYC and the National Arts Club, NYC. Her illustrations have been published in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Newsday, Stocks and Commodities, McSweeney’s Publication and HOW Magazine to name a few. Her paintings are enjoyed by numerous private collectors in America and abroad. She is a full-time working artist, and currently lives with her family in San Francisco, California. www.ingaposlitur.com 

Workshop Details

Workshop Schedule

Meet and Greet Introduction Sunday, 6-8 p.m.

Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

(11-1 independent time/lunch, 2-4 independent time with instructor check in)

Friday: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Workshop Supplies List

Easel or painting box you can comfortably prop on the table top or a pochade box with a tripod mound will work.

I will be using oil paints for this workshop. Suggested brands: Old Holland, Vasari, Michael Harding, Rublev.  These brands are on the pricey side but of an excellent quality. You also can use pigments you already have.

Basic Pigments:

  • Titanium White
  • Zinc White
  • Ivory Black
  • Cadmium Yellow
  • Lemon Yellow
  • Yellow Ochre
  • Cadmium Red
  • Permanent Alizarin Crimson
  • Ultramarine Blue
  • Phthalo Blue (or Phthalo Green)
  • Raw Umber
  • Burnt Umber
  • Burnt Sienna 

Optional Pigments:

  • Cobalt Blue
  • Violet
  • Cerulean Blue
  • Viridian
  • Cadmium Orange
  • Flake White 

Brushes:

  • Bring brushes you already have. Assortment of flats, round brushes various sizes
  • 2 - 4 flats (1/2”, 3/4”, 1 ½”)
  • 2-4 rounds (#6, 8 or 10 )
  • Couple small round brushes for detailed work, if you have a Rigger (it’s also called “Script Liner”)-keep it nearby.  It is handy for certain detail work

Surfaces/Other Materials:

  • Primed canvas panels or primed Masonite boards: 5”x7”(at least 5 or more) , 8 x 10”(2-4), 9”x 12”(2). If you are prolific painter, use your judgement and have stashed more panels of your favorite size.
  • Lightweight palette, wood, glass or disposable
  • Odorless Mineral Spirits if you are using regular oils or painting medium of your choice.
  • Two water containers if you are using acrylics or water-based oils
  • Matte medium as a painting medium if you are using acrylics
  • Palette cup for oils painting medium
  • Paper towels, old rags, old (clean) socks-work like a charm!
  • Palette knife
  • I highly recommend for outdoor painting the book Best Brella - Umbrella for Plein Air Artists

Optional but Very Helpful!

  • Greyscale
  • Viewfinder, homemade is OK 

Sketching supplies:

  • Graphite pencils H,HB,B, 2B, 4B, 
  • Sketch book 
  • Pen & Ink or ball pen
  • Eraser, colored pencils, pencil sharpener
  • Masking tape or Artist tape, white or off-white, NO COLORED tape please!
  • Clips (2-4) to hold the pages
  • Lightweight drawing board appx. size:16” x 12” to use for sketching

Lodging and Camping Supplies

Camping gear if you are staying on campus:

  • tent and sleeping pad (unless you are staying in our tent with a cot provided)
  • warm sleeping bag
  • pillow, toiletries, and towel
  • flashlight and lantern
  • alarm clock

Field gear for everyone:

  • day pack
  • sunscreen
  • insect repellant
  • water bottles
  • plastic containers for packed lunches
  • sense of humor

You might also want to bring:

  • camera
  • binoculars
  • hand lens
  • camp chair

Clothing:

The weather in the Sierra Nevada can vary greatly, even in a single day. Be prepared for chilly temperatures at night, even below freezing early in the summer. Rain is a possibility any time, whether forecast or not. Variable weather clothing that can be layered is best: long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, warm sweater and jacket, t-shirt and shorts or skirt, sturdy shoes or hiking boots, sun hat, rain gear, and a warm hat or gloves for cold weather and/or night activities. And, if you come later in the season, bring your swimsuit for afternoon dips in the lakes!