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Artwork by Judd Mercer

Simplifying with Gouache 

Dive into opaque painting with gouache, a fantastic waster-based medium for plein air. Explore the quirks of gouache through the lens of simplification to make plein air easier, faster and less frustrating. Bridge the gap between transparent and opaque mediums with foundational techniques to capture scenes en plein air, and simplify the process of observing a scene and designing a painting to capture its likeness quickly and with energy. This workshop is perfect for painters looking to explore gouache and hone their plein air painting skills for traveling, field study, or for painting finished works on location.

Day 1 - Simplifying Value

Day 2 - Simplifying Color

Day 3 - Simplifying Plein Air

       Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate with some plein air experience

 

.                JUDD MERCER     

                                      Artist Website

Painter, illustrator, storyteller, teacher  

“Plein air is like meditation. When you feel a place with all your senses, take your shoes off and touch the grass, smell the wind, you come to realize how amazing just being in the world is. Plein air is about capturing that feeling.“

 

Biography

Judd Mercer is a contemporary landscape painter and Colorado native obsessed with telling stories through light. Working on plein air and in the studio, I explore the tension that exists between ourselves and the landscape and plays with our relationship to wild, exhilarating vastness. Always on the hunt for transient, magic moments that exist in secret places along roads less traveled, I seek to capture the powerful wonder permeating even the quietest scenes. I work in both oil and gouache and frequently participate in plein air invitational events across the country.

 

Teaching Philosophy

Having mentored designers professionally, I’ve come to realize that attitude and intent are extremely important for students, and a good teacher helps frame a mindset. Students can get easily discouraged early on and a teacher’s job is to break down the process into manageable (but challenging) parts. Students need to experience small successes to get excited about the process, rather than the goal of producing finished work. A commitment to sustained practice is really where success and joy come from. I help people relax and let go of expectations to create an environment in which learning is easier—and more fun.

 

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Recognition

2022 Laguna Plein Air Painters, Signature Artist

 

Teaching Experience

2021-2023 In-person and Zoom Workshops, Scottsdale Artists’ School, AZ

2022 In-person Workshop, pARTiculars, CO

 

Previous Events/Publications

2022 LPAPA Plein Air Invitational, CA

2022 Solo Show, Abend Gallery, CO

2022 Best of Plein Air Show Accepted Work, LPAPA, CA

2021 “10 Artists to Collect Now,” Plein Air Magazine, Oct/Nov Issue

2020 14th Annual Less is More Show, LPAPA, CA

2020 4th Annual Waterworks Show, LPAPA, CA

2020 14th Annual Less is More Show, LPAPA, CA

2019 Colorado Watercolor Society State Show

2019 LPAPA Plein Air Invitational, CA

2019 Young Guns Show, Coors Western Art Exhibit

 

Gallery Experience

Abend Gallery, Denver, CO (2021-Present)

Walker Fine Art, Denver, CO (2020)

Alpine Fine Art, Denver, CO (2017-2019

Non Members Fee: $400.00 Members Fee: $375.00