Beyond the Studio: Exploring Landscape through Outdoor Painting and Printmaking 

Kerry Kendall’s Advanced Studio Art class took inspiration from the Impressionist painters and studied the campus landscape outdoors, working en plein air (in the open air). The students began by sketching directly outside in a variety of locations around campus, closely observing the natural surroundings. Next they used watercolor and permanent pen to build on their sketches, capturing the light, color, and textures of the landscape.

To deepen their experience, the class set up field easels and painted using water-based oils. This outdoor painting allowed them to directly engage with the environment, emulating the techniques of artists like Monet and Cézanne, who worked in similar ways to capture fleeting moments of nature.

After completing their outdoor paintings, the students shifted to printmaking. They experimented with dry-point etching into Plexiglass, a method known as Intaglio Printing, which is a traditional printmaking technique. After etching their designs, the students applied oil-based ink to the plates, wiped them clean, and ran them through a press on damp printmaking paper, creating a series of detailed prints.

This project offered the students a chance to explore multiple artistic mediums while honing their observational skills. The blend of outdoor painting with traditional printmaking was an impactful blend of art history and experimenting with a variety of techniques. And the results were nothing short of incredible! The artwork will be on display in Fearn Hall  throughout early January.