Art in Plein Air: Contrasting Ecosystems

Paint or draw outside and find inspiration in the varying landscapes and plant life of The Morton Arboretum.

Please note: This program has been canceled. Participants are encouraged to explore other upcoming art and photography classes.

Focus on small details of nature, or take in a broader view of land and sky for your piece while comparing and contrasting the summer landscape in three different ecosystems—watershed, prairie, and forest.

With a focus on plein air sessions, students in this course will learn to compose and create images of these inspiring surroundings by spending two weeks immersed in each environment. The instructor will:

Share principles of scene selection, simplification, and process in creating landscape artwork.
Invite participants to find a still life in nature by zooming in on a detail—whether a single coneflower or the trunk of an oak—in its natural context.
Demonstrate various drawing and painting media.
Provide one-on-one guidance as students complete their own drawing or painting.

Students will develop a drawing or painting using the medium of their choice. Over the course of the program, a close observation of the contrasting ecosystem landscapes will reveal subtle variations as well as similarities.

This program is open to any drawing or painting media.

This program is intended for intermediate to experienced artists. Foundational drawing skills and familiarity with your medium of choice are required.

This program meets in person at the Arboretum.

Instructor: John Fleck, artist

Age: 16 and older

Course number: A189

Instructor

John Fleck, artist

John Fleck is an artist and teacher based in Skokie. His past career was as an illustrator for children’s educational publishing. Now he focuses on fine art through drawing, painting, and teaching. He received his BFA from Columbia College in Chicago in 2001. He is primarily inspired by the natural world in his artwork and enjoys wandering in the woods, fields, or along the lakeshore, looking for a weathered tree full of character, a unique view, or a light effect that fascinates him. He works in oils, acrylics, gouache, pen and ink, and various drawing media. He can often be found at The Art Institute of Chicago or The Field Museum of Natural History, sketchbook in hand. His travels around the Midwest and to places such as Oregon and Maine have inspired many of his works. He exhibits in the Chicago area.

Questions about Registration
630-719-2468
Registrar-ed@mortonarb.org
Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Format
In person
This program has been canceled
Location varies, see Program Schedule.
A189
Cost: $230
Member cost: $195
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