Plein Air Painting Workshop

Let’s Paint Taos Landscapes
with Mike Mahon
Registration – $425.00

Taos, New Mexico
October 16-19, 2018
Reception/Demo Painting • October 16, 4:00-6:30pm

Mike Mahon paints in plein air.

Mike’s yearly workshop in Taos is always an anticipated event for his followers, but this year it will be very special! The El Monte Sagrado Hotel will be honoring Mike with a FREE Reception/ Painting Demonstration in their beautiful Gallery Room, on Tuesday, October 16^th, from 4:00-6:30 pm.

At this reception, as students arrive before the first full day of the workshop on Wednesday, Mike will be introducing his workshop artists to the way he paints. He generously welcomes others in the Taos community who may also be interested in watching his fluid style take shape. He will begin and finish a landscape painting from one of his favorite photos of the Taos area at the reception.

Plein Air Workshop/Studio Painting Workshop

Since this 2018 Workshop is a week later in the year than usual, Mike will be painting as close as possible to plein air circumstances, while still allowing students a controlled learning situation.

Fall Colors in the mountains by Mike Mahon

He has had great success doing Paint-Alongs at other workshops, and wants to begin teaching this way indoors before taking the class outside. The more controlled environment is very encouraging to those who want to learn how to think in Aesthetic Categories before using these painterly techniques out in the open air.

Outdoor Painting, or En Plein Air Painting, is often the goal of painters who are impressed with the wonderful light and changing colors of the Southwest. On the second day of the workshop, when students will have some studio practice under their belts, Mike will take the whole class to a Taos location to paint in the late day sun.

Mike’s Signature Memberships

As a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, Mike is the perfect instructor to advance your painting skills while visiting the Land of Enchantment. Painting Northern New Mexico landscapes has always

Ghost Ranch by Mike Mahon

been one of Mike’s passions, and there is no better time than in October. His en plein air impressionism captures the unique qualities of of this time of year. Enjoy the unmatched scenic beauty, many art galleries/museums and the unique architecture of this renowned art colony.

Paint-Along Procedure

To prepare you for the best possible plein air painting experience, Mike will make sure you are well prepared. He will begin with a thorough introductory PowerPoint presentation explaining the painting principles and procedures necessary for successful painting. After a question and answer session and review of everyone’s equipment, Mike will lead you in a workshop Paint-Along.

Taos landscape workshop

In the Paint–Along session, Mike will supply each student with a photo identical to the one he is using. The photo will be of a Taos scene similar to what you will be dealing with when we go into the field to paint the next day. Mike will demonstrate his step-by-step painting process, stopping at each step to allow students to reproduce what they have just seen him paint. He has found that this is the fastest and most effective way to build confidence while learning his painting method.

He will demonstrate in both pastel and oil, but at different times; and he will address the specific nature of any mediums used at the workshop. There will be plenty of plein air painting tips given along the way.

The workshop will be headquartered on the spacious second floor in the Gallery Room, overlooking the beautiful El Monte Sagrado courtyard. The Power Point presentations will be held in the cozy Library, only steps away.

If you have had little or no experience painting outdoors, painting what Mike paints after he paints it will greatly increase your efficiency and confidence when we do go outside to paint.

Reviewing your painting equipment

Mike will help you set up your equipment at the Paint Along exactly the way you will need to use it in the field. This gives you an opportunity to test your equipment and painting technique under Mike’s supervision. If you find that you need any plein air painting supplies, there will be time to get them before going to our painting location.

On the second day, Mike will briefly review the material he has taught and introduce specific instructions on measuring techniques, scene selection, and many plein air painting secrets. He will do another painting demonstration followed by an afternoon plein air experience for the class.

John Dunn Bridge – Taos

Throughout this process, you will discover how plein air painting will improve all of your artistic skills, especially your studio work. Your ability to judge values, colors, and perspective will greatly increase and you will learn how to edit what you paint to the most essential elements for the most successful painting. You will learn the joy and stress-relieving activity of painting in the great outdoors!

A Systematic Painting Process

You will also be introduced to Mike’s “DiVine Setup” ©, a 7-step systematic approach to painting based on classical principles of art which are logical, learnable, memorable. This systematic process will free you to be more spontaneous, while still in control of your painting. You will learn the necessary steps and the order in which they must be used to accomplish a good painting.

Mike Mahon gives oil painting demonstration

Mike will teach you how to see in “aesthetic categories”. The paintings and photos you do on location will serve as great source material for studio paintings when you return home.

Mike utilizes demonstration paintings, PowerPoint presentations, and personal instruction to help you every step of the way to a more productive painting experience. Each student will receive a comprehensive workbook that covers the material presented at the workshop, as well as videos of the main lecture and demo painting.

30 page illustrated workbook

All outdoor locations will be easily accessible and only a few steps from your vehicle with nearby restroom facilities. Mike will be working your artistic muscles not your leg muscles.

Registration for Plein Air Painting Workshop

Painting the Taos Mountains

Click the “Register” button above and you will be taken to a page where you can register and payout. The workshop fee is $425.00, plus NM sales tax and the Eventbrite ticket fee.

The workshop will be 10 to 12 artists so that everyone will have plenty of personal attention.

At registration, you will have the option to pay the full amount, or to put down a $100 deposit that reserves your spot in the workshop. All payments, except the deposit, are refundable until Sept. 10, 2018. After Sept. 10, no payments are refundable.

If for any reason the workshop is cancelled, ALL workshop fees received by Mike Mahon will be refunded!

When you have registered for the workshop, you will receive a confirmation email, with a link to the supply list. Your workshop fee includes a complete 3-ring workbook to take home, and exclusive workshop videos of Mike’s lecture on Aesthetic Categories and his Painting Demo.

Accommodations

El Monte Sagrado courtyard

We are especially delighted to headquarter this workshop at the El Monte Sagrado Hotel again this year. It is Northern New Mexico’s Premier Hotel Resort. Because of the convenience, camaraderie, and luxury accommodations at specially discounted workshop prices, I highly recommend that you stay there with us.

They have a block of individual casitas set aside for us at $159 per night. This is a significant savings over the high-season prices. However, you are not required to stay at El Monte Sagrado to attend the workshop.

To reserve you room, call the hotel at 575-758-3502 and ask for the Reservations Department. Tell them you are with the “Let’s Paint Taos” Mike Mahon Workshop.

View from El Monte Sagrado

You may also go online to http://www.ElMonteSagrado.com, where you can provide the Group Code-181015LETS for reservations. * You can click here to reserve a room on line at El Monte Segrado.

You may book your room at our special discounted price for additional days (before or after the workshop) at the same low price. You must book your room by August 10, 2018 to be guaranteed these special rates. Check out the El Monte Sagrado Hotel and grounds:
http://www.http://elmontesagrado.com.

Please plan to arrive at the hotel by 3 pm, if possible, on October 16. Attending the special 4:00 pm-6:30 pm reception/painting demo on the evening of October 16th is the beginning of your workshop!

Click here to view Mike’s time-lapse video of a landscape painting demonstration.

This painting video has been compressed to only 17 minutes, but it includes Mike’s audio commentary explaining his painting process, along with helpful painting tips. You may view the video whenever and as often as you like.

After seeing the video, click here to subscribe to Mike’s YouTube channel if you would like to see more videos as he produces them.

Your success is Mike’s goal!
“Success is where preparation meets opportunity.”
Painting en plein air is an exhilarating and pleasurable experience. However, it has unique challenges that can be overcome by proper preparation!

Testimonials

Plein Air Painting Workshops

“…You are one of the hardest working artists I’ve ever known, bar none.
Not only did you spend every minute talking us through the fine points of scaling art to fit a canvas, but you did two paintings of your own AND spent time with each of us, from the oil neophyte to the more advanced oil painters in the group.
All of us were most appreciative of your tact, attention to detail, and desire for us to do the best paintings we were capable of producing in 3 days…
You don’t pull your punches. If a painting has elements that are not well done, you say so, and work with the artist to make improvements. I have been distressed in past workshops or in critique meetings when no real critique was provided, other than the false critique of gushy flattery…
Thank you for your encouragement and your expertise. I greatly admire your painting AND teaching skills.” [capitalization emphasis is not mine]
Martha Wofford, Ph. D. Dalhart, TX
*****
“Mike, you have a great teaching persona. I think you have given me some great insights in to how my students feel! And I think I’ve learned some good things to pass on to my students!
Deb Wheeler, art teacher, Andrews, TX
*****
“Being a novice, the step-by-step process has given me a solid foundation on which to build any work in any medium that I may choose. I have learned more this week than I have in all the other workshops I have taken this year – combined!”
Joy Russo, Hot Springs, Ark.
*****

Plein Air Painting Workshop – Taos Landscapes 2018