Why paint outdoors? For me, the reason has evolved over the course of 25 years. Initially it was a way to grow as an artist wishing to paint landscapes in Colorado. From this simple but timeless approach to painting landscapes outdoors grew a love for and the need to commune with and study the natural world and to enjoy painting the quickly changing effects of natural light in all seasons.
Join me in this one-day plein air workshop to better understand the natural elements of light and atmosphere – to communicate the intangible life force that pulsates through the landscape as we delve into this amazing and enchanted way of painting.
There will be demonstrations of small “on-the-spot” pastel and/or oil painting. The workshop is conducted between the hours of 9 am to 4pm and possibly longer to paint late evening light or sunsets. We will try to cover all the topics during the day the workshop is held. (Students are asked to bring photographic references and/or sketches for indoor use in case of inclement weather and we are forced to work indoors)
| Date | Wednesday, September 23, 2026 |
| Hours | 9am – 4pm |
| Location | Hudson Gardens and Event Center 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive Littleton, CO 80120 |
| Medium | Plein Air Painting |
| Skill Level | All |
| Fee | Depot Members $30 Non-Members $40 Nonrefundable |
Open to Depot Art Gallery members and non-members. Minimum of 10 participants, maximum of 20.
Agenda
Morning
(Outdoors Weather Permitting)
- Discussion of materials for plein air painting in pastel and oil.
- Discussion on the use of design stems, notans, center of interest, leading the eye through a painting, simplifying, and composing on the spot.
- Thumbnail compositional studies
- The use of four value planes in nature
- The seven principles of design
- Black and white design studies of major shapes.
- Plein air demonstration incorporating the topics discussed during morning session.
Afternoon
(Outdoors weather permitting)
- Discussion of values and their application on atmospheric perspective in painting.
- Plein air demonstration incorporating these topics and review of topics covered during Day One.
- Discussion of
Color—the color wheel, color harmony and working with a limited palette.
Edges—the study of edges in nature and analyzing their contrasts. Reflected Light—what causes reflected light and their color effect Sky Light—sky lights affect the colors of nature. - Plein air demonstration incorporating these topics and review of topics covered .
Supplies List
View and download supplies list in pdf format:
Questions?
If you have questions about the workshop, please contact Paul Nutting via this form.
Meet the instructor, Lorenzo Chavez
Lorenzo Chavez was born and raised in the southernmost point of the Rocky Mountain Range in Albuquerque New Mexico. His first inspirations and foundation as a young artist were formed by the local New Mexico landscape and the art history of New Mexico. Lorenzo now makes his home in Parker, Colorado and uses this location as a base to travel and paint New Mexico, the American West and Southwest.
Through the years, while searching for subject matter, he realized there are many similarities throughout the Rockies and High Desert. The deep blue of the vaulting sky, majestic cloud formations, rabbit brush, Chamisa, pinon, pine and juniper, the willows that line the stream banks, The light of the Arroyos, the granite in the mountain ranges, aspens and the endless seas of grasses are continuing inspirations.
Using pastel and oil mediums, his quest is to carry on the art traditions of American painters such as the Taos Society of Artists and the American Impressionists, artists Lorenzo is very inspired by.
Lorenzo Chavez was featured in a successful one-man show at the C.M. Russell Museum and has participated successfully in several C.M. Russell Art Auctions.
Feature articles have appeared in Southwest Art, Art of the West, American Artist Magazine, Plein Air Magazine, Artists Magazine, Western Art Review, American Art Review, Pastel Journal, Denver Gazette, Denver Post La Voz, and Colorado Homes and Lifestyles.
Nine art books feature his art: Beautiful Landscapes Outdoors, Les Mitres de Art France, Painted Sky, Art Journey America Landscapes, Colorado Landscapes, and Pure Color: The Best of Pastel 1 &2 and Plein Air New Mexico.
Lorenzo is a nationally known Fine Art instructor who has taught numerous workshops across the United States since 1993. Lorenzo is represented by many major fine art galleries and many private and corporate collections both nationally and internationally.
Learn more at https://www.lorenzochavezstudio.com
Register for this event
Step 1 – Pay the registration fee below (select member or non-member):
Step 2 – Fill out the registration form below. Your spot isn’t secured until payment is received.
