Welcome To Reif.com

Workshops

Reif's Lateset Award

Reif has been recognized continually throughout his career for his talents, and has won awards in numerous competitions. Reif is one of 18 pastel artists, worldwide, honored by the Pastel Society of the West Coast as a Distinguished Pastellist. He also is a full member of the long standing and prestigious California Art Club.

Sharing his expertise with other painters:
"The foundation and structure of a painting must hold together at all levels of development, from the abstraction of value patterns, to the refinement of color relationships before the considerations of detail, edges, and final accents. Proper preparation of the underlying color and value influence greatly how well a color will "sing" and cause a painting to come to life."

Reif's four step approach to painting is a valued and useful tool for studio and plein air painter alike, in all mediums. His workshops couple daily demonstrations on location with supervised student work, and lectures in a relaxed atmosphere and majestic settings. He is currently preparing unique material for release as teaching videos, and instructional books on plein air painting and the phenomenon of light.

Reif welcomes beginners and all painters to these 'on location' painting sessions. The workshop will concentrate on REIF ERICKSON's four-step approach to pastel painting.

1) Value patterns
2) Color relationships
3) Detail, form and edges
4) Accents

The goal is to understand the process of interacting with a painting in order to resolve composition, and execution to bring a painting to a level of completion that is exceptional. Learn to appreciate the unique considerations involved in painting outdoors, particularly the ever-changing light and shadow. Painting 'plein air' is a valuable skill for any artist to improve studio work. Demonstrations will be held daily on location with supervision of student work and critiques.

Workshops will be taught outside, weather permitting. It is here that the artist must learn the limitations and magic of color and light. Landscape demonstrations will be done in pastel.

Introduction to Pastel (one or two days)

1st day inside, Introduction to pastel, with demo from photograph. This is basic, and required for all workshops if not taken from me before. Many exercises to improve basic handling of pastels and paper, and develop a conscious approach in learning how to “see the color and value relationships.”

2nd day outside on location. Demo in AM, with student supervised work until 12. Long break for lunch or unsupervised painting, At 2pm will addressing works in progress, “Where do I go from here?, How to address specific hurdles in paintings. Critiques and “finishing touches” addressed as necessary.

8:30-11:30, long lunch break, 2-5pm
(Optional reading: On Your Mark, available on line)

Fresh Air ™ Pastel. (three to five days)

This will focus on the information in Four Steps, (optional reading, order on line) Can have evening slide show and reception before starting ‘on Location’ the next morning. Last day will have critiques of work in afternoon inside preferred.

Need locations suitable for painting outside that will accommodate 16 people without getting spread out everywhere. Needs to have bathroom facilities close by. Parks are good. Need a location inside, if weather not suitable for time period.

	Classes are limited to 15 students, plus facilitator, plus Reif.
	Class cost is $500/day for 1-10 students, and $600 if 11-15, plus lodging, travel expense.
	All profit above expenses are to go to organization, or facilitator
	Fees to be set by facilitator, but not less than $50/day per student.
	Class is on a first come, first pay basis.
	NO REFUNDS of deposits. Unless class cancelled for emergency by Reif.
	Facilitator to collect all monies, deposits, and make accommodation arrangements. Flight, hotel, reception, advertising, locations for painting, etc.

Plein Air Painting Sessions Itinerary

Each class varies depending upon the interest and expectations of the attendees.

1st day, the first day will be in the studio. The morning will begin at 9am with introductions, general information and lecture, continuing with exercises (optional for advanced pastel lists), working from photographs.

Supervised painting of all students will continue to 12.
Break for lunch.
Second painting session will begin 1pm with demonstration outside, location and weather permitting. Supervised painting continuing to 4pm.
Break for dinner.
A slide presentation is planned for one evening, sometimes the evening prior to 1st day of painting.

2nd day, Demonstration by Reif on location. Supervised painting follows on location until 4pm with break for lunch as needed.

3rd day, Same procedure as the second.

4th day/Final day: I am a bit flexible here. Generally a lecture in morning with evaluations of all students work " in progress" with tips for completion and improvement. Demo during lunch on location with painting supervised until 4pm.

A FOUR STEP approach to painting will be covered during the workshop with basic concepts covered during the first 2 days.

1-Value relationships
2-Color relationships
3-Development of form with "light", and consideration of edges, and masses and planes.
4-Final accents of color, highlights, and consideration of darks.

One of the evenings, generally a group dinner is arranged for all attendees and guests.

One simple note: If you have a group of people up to (5) that want to schedule a class at a certain place let me know, I'll help you set it up call me at my Auburn Studio: (530) 885-9565

To Get Started

If you are just starting out, some valuable information on materials to use to help make painting fun!

Click here for pastel painting materials list

Essentials: depending on season, climate, and conditions, SUNSCREEN, BUG SPRAY, a BRIMMED HAT to shade the eyes, a piece of FOAM to stand on if you are in the snow, and a CAMP STOOL and portable shade (clamp-on UMBRELLA) are nice. Although I always paint standing up.

Sign up here for Reif's Workshops!

Hint: Arrange your tray or box of colors so that the warms are separated from the cools, and like values are together: lights with lights, darks with darks. When working outside, work smaller, 9"x12" up to 12"x18". The light changes quickly, and larger pieces can be done in the studio later from the correct color study works done on location. I even prefer the plein air work. The time constraint and
challenge of light add to the spontaneity of the work, and the command of the medium.

Learning Tips & Links from Reif