The open-air atelier School

Gavin Brooks values the concept of atelier schooling and how over the longer term this intensive approach to painting can yield impressive results.  In this format, students attend a schedule of classes over the longer term practicing techniques and building confidence at a steady pace.  This is not a mini-workshop where a tremendous amount of information is given in a matter of days. This is a mentoring and instructional environment of considerable depth that will appeal to students who want longer term instruction and structure.

 Gavin will be teaching the basic principles of outdoor painting using drawing, atmospheric perspective, composition and critical thinking techniques based in the foundations of classical and post impressionist techniques of a variety of American and European Masters. This is a commitment to study !   There will also be a schedule of field trips that students can sign up for if they choose. These may be museum exhibitions painting trips out-of-state or annual painting expeditions abroad with Gavin.

 The school accepts up to 12 students on an ongoing, pay as you go rotation.  The classes begin in  early September and continue year round. We will be painting on location throughout the Northern Baltimore region ,Baltimore City and Annapolis. Classes will be on Saturday and Wednesday to accommodate students of varying schedules. There will be an indoor session twice per month on Thursday evening .   You can sign up for one or all three classes and pay as you go. 

The special rate per class is 25.00 for each 4 hour class. 
Email Gavinbrooksart@aol.com or call 410-371-3094  to receive further information by mail.

Gavin Brooks and Gene Costanza

Plein Air Workshop
"Building Your Confidence"
Tilghman Island Area
$525

Success by Design
Oil Painting Workshop
For all levels of painters

This workshop, hosted at a spacious private Chesapeake Bayfront studio near Tilghman, Maryland, offers a forthright, fun and interesting approach to oil painting, beyond literal interpretation. Gavin and Gene teach the importance of composition, color and decision making, and teach you to how improve your paintings dramatically.

There is never a good painting without a good design. Working toward that from the very first thought is critical. Lacking a plan for even a small work means you may just be spending time, instead of investing it with a purpose for a result that will last. A good or bad painting can follow you all the days of your life.

This five day workshop uses a direct approach -- HOW, WHY, WHAT and WHERE. Gavin and Gene teach in clear language while painting their demos. They also use power point visuals to show exactly what they do, and why. Your instruction includes short lectures, demos, student exercises and plenty of hands on practice. Be prepared to work hard and learn a lot!  Both Gavin and Gene are successful plein air painters who have studied with Scott Christensen. Since then, each artist has grown artistically and developed her/his own style; but has also remained connected to the importance of harmony and good design, in the tradition of Christensen.

Gavin's awards include the Grand Prize at Plein Air-Easton! 2005, and Best Pastoral Painting at Plein-Air Easton! 2006, National OPA Exhibition 2002.  Her work has been featured in Plein Air Magazine  and  American Art Collector.

Gene's awards include Honorable Mention at the American Impressionist Society show, 2006 and 2007; and Top Fifty and Award of Merit, Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art Salon International, 2004.