PLEIN AIR IN POWERSCOURT GARDENS | DAVE WEST
Days: Mon 7th & Thur 10th Jul 2025
Times: 10am-4pm
Location: Enniskerry
Please see detailed workshop information below
If this course is fully booked or not currently scheduled, go ahead add your name to the waiting list HERE
Payment plans available contact us directly
aBOUT THE WORKSHOP
Students will learn fundamental methods to create beautiful portraits from a photo reference, working in oils. We will start by learning how to achieve correct proportions in an initial sketch and layout, and use this to form a strong tonal underpainting that will serve as the backbone of your finished, full-colour painting. We will explore colour, building surface and form, adding detail, correcting and creating a likeness.
We will also talk about the best photograph references to use to create the most successful paintings. We will explore other methods to get your initial drawing accurate, such as gridding, transferring and sight size sketching. By the end of the course, participants should expect to feel confident with how to approach a portrait and comfortable that they will have the skills and knowledge to achieve a likeness. The course is suitable for both beginners and intermediate painters who want to improve their art.
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Experience the joy of plein air painting in the stunning surroundings of the world-famous Powerscourt Gardens.
Gain hands-on instruction in painting from life, with a focus on observation, interpretation, and expression.
Each day begins with a short studio-based session, including:
Core principles of plein air painting
Practical demonstrations by Dave
Daily painting sessions in the gardens, with personalised, one-to-one support throughout.
Learn key aspects of outdoor painting, such as:
How to choose and frame your subject
Composition strategies in nature
Colour theory and how to capture natural light and atmosphere
Develop confidence and clarity in working outside with oils.
Work alongside an award-winning plein air painter, benefiting from his insight and experience.
Not suitable for complete beginners — best for painters with some oil painting experience looking to build plein air skills in a spectacular setting.
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As above
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Bring all the oil paints that you are familiar with and use regularly.
As a minimum you should have:
Artists Quality Cadmium Lemon
Alizarin Crimson & ultramarine (students quality is fine)
Titanium White
Some medium - Dave uses 50%/50% sansodor (or similar) and linseed oil
Brushes - I recommend Rosemary & Co Hog Filberts series 47 in a range of sizes
Some panels (I use canvas panels in a range of sizes from 6x8” to 12x16” and prep them with a thin diluted layer of burnt umber acrylic)
Some paper towels
A pochade box or portable easel to work on.
ABOUT POWERSCOURT
Powerscourt Gardens in County Wicklow was named no. 3 in the World’s Top 10 Gardens by the National Geographic, second only to the Palace of Versailles and Kew Gardens in London. Powerscourt is the only one of the three that is not state owned. Dating back to the 13th century, Powerscourt is a vast country estate noted for its magnificent Palladian style mansion and 47 acres (190,000 m2) of formal landscaped gardens in the picturesque village of Enniskerry, County Wicklow. Set on a commanding hilltop position, against the backdrop of the Sugarloaf mountains, a sweeping terrace on the mansion’s southside opens onto a breath-taking, ornamental garden and lake.
The Gardens offer visitors a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statues and ornamental lakes, secret hollows, and rambling walks. Managed by Head Gardener, Alex Slazengerand a team of gardeners, Powerscourt Gardens were designed from 1731 onwards, with the desire to create a garden which was part of the wider surrounding landscape. Powerscourt Gardens include The Walled Gardens, The Italian Garden, The Dolphin Pond, The Japanese Garden, Pets Cemetery and Pepperpot Tower, among other features and attractions.
Powerscourt Gardens - National Geographic Award: The prestigious accolade comes from National Geographic’s “Top Ten” series of the best trips, adventures, and places to visit in the world.
“Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.”
