Quimper Arts

Join Quimper Arts for four monthly afternoon workshops investigating the drawing style of Georges Seurat, Henri Matisse, Gustav Klimt and Richard Diebenkorn. Trying out their techniques and methods will further help to develop a more engaging personal style. Chris Witkowski, well-known northwest illustrator and fine art painter, will lead the workshops. In each workshop, we will consider how each artist used line, value, shading, design and composition to create artworks. All levels of experience are welcome. Elevate your drawing to a new level of satisfaction!

The first session will be In the Style of Georges Seurat, on Saturday September 12 from 1-5pm at the Masonic Hall in Port Townsend.

Chris will start with a lecture and slide show of Seurat’s work, showing examples of his entirely original and atmospheric drawing style. She will then demonstrate this type of drawing technique, which features minimal to nonexistent line work and a maximum of shading to define a subject. Participants will draw from a live model starting with short poses and moving on to a long pose, using light, shadow and values to define forms. Chris will offer individualized feedback and direction to all participants. We will then share completed work in a feedback session while enjoying snacks and beverages (wine and non-alcoholic). 

The cost of each workshop is $150, which includes the model fee and snacks and beverages.

Space is limited to ten participants per workshop. For questions and to reserve your spot for September 12 and future workshops, email Chris, chriswit777@gmail.com.

In a first for Quimper Arts, we will welcome 2 models who will pose together for both the short pose and long pose sessions. Don’t miss it!

Join us for our first-ever moveable art feast! We’ll be ferry walk-ons only, no reservation needed. Meet inside the PT Ferry passenger waiting room at 9am, likely board at 9:15, depart 9:30. Quick sketches on the ferry are great fun, both before we leave and underway. On the Whidbey side, there are great views from the campground to the north, beach to the south and lagoon to the east of the terminal. We’ll have about 2 hours to set up, paint & draw. (Of course, feel free to stay longer or go further afield if you like!)
The main group will gather at the terminal about noon to take the 12:30 ferry back to PT. On the ferry we’ll admire what each other has done and take our group photo.
This adventure takes a little more attention to time than our usual plein air outings. If you’re driving to the ferry, there is (paid) parking right near the terminal. But consider leaving early enough to park at the (free) Haines Place Park & Ride and take the shuttle bus. The ferry is $5 each way, or $2.50 if you’re over 65. Bring your lightest, most portable sketch/paint gear, a snack or lunch, sunblock, hat, etc. Snacks and drinks (and rest rooms) are available on the ferries and in the terminals.
Hope to see plein air regulars, plus a few of you who mostly do figure drawing!

Let’s get outside to draw and paint! Starting tomorrow, we’ll be in PT and around the county every 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesday from April through November, 9am until noon. All events are free and everyone is welcome, including beginners and non-members.

Tomorrow we’ll be at Pope Marine Park in downtown PT. Showers are in the forecast, but the park features a long covered pier with some seating (views are better standing up) and great marine and town views. On street parking, plenty of places nearby to warm up and get a hot drink, public restrooms around the corner. We’ll meet on the covered pier. Dress for the weather and bring your favorite portable art supplies.

Below are a few of the pictures we created last year at this location.

And, here the rest of the locations for April and May; more details on the website on our website’s “plein air” page. Since locations are subject to change, please check the web page before you head out!

April 15 – Fort Townsend Park.  

April 29 – Enfield Green, a small park in PT.

May 6 –Point Wilson lighthouse in PT. Special: Joyce Hester will give plein air demonstration at 9am.

May 20 – Anderson Lake.

Here are the results of our two-week pose inspired by Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, reflecting our artists’ different approaches and styles. Many thanks to Chris Witkowski and our model Cassandra for sparking our imaginations.

This coming Monday afternoon, April 7, and the following Monday, April 14, our wonderful model Cassandra will be in the same pose for the two sessions. There will be a costume, setting and props around a theme. Don’t miss this opportunity to create a more fully developed drawing or painting.

(illustration: 3 multi-session long pose paintings by Quimper Arts member Madeline Nelson)

Today is our first plein air date and yup, we’ve got April showers. The weather app says it will stop before 9am. Just in case, the building on the south side of Washington Street, where the accounting firm is, has a long, deep overhang under which we can paint views of the park and fountain without blocking any foot traffic or shop windows. Standing at an easel would work best if that is the case. Hope to see you there!

April 2, 9am to noon – Haller Fountain and steps, downtown PT. Let’s see how the springtime light and foliage change the fountain and PT cityscape views. Services nearby; on-street PT parking.

The weather’s getting (a little) warmer, the rain is starting to ease up, buds are starting to pop. Aren’t you itching to get outside to draw and paint? Join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday from April through November, 9am until noon, in Port Townsend and out in the county. All events are free and all are welcome.

Here are the locations; more details on the website on our website’s “plein air” page. Since locations are subject to change, please check the web page before you head out!

April 2 – Haller Fountain and steps, downtown PT.

April 16 – Fort Flagler Park.

May 7 – Chetzemoka Park in PT.

May 21 – Heron Hill, 241 Sand Road (outskirts of Port Townsend, off Cape George Road).

June 4 – Finnriver Farm in Chimacum.

June 18 – outside Ajax Café, Lower Hadlock Road.

July 2 – Kah Tai Lagoon in Port Townsend.  

July 16 – Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden in PT.

August 6 – Port Ludlow Marina.

August 20 – Bell Tower Park in uptown PT.

September 3 – Pope Marine Park, downtown PT.

September 17 – Fort Townsend Park.  

October 1 – RoseWind cohousing west in PT.

October 15 – Point Hudson Marina west of downtown PT.

November 5 – Old Alcohol Plant in Port Hadlock.

Folks are asking if we are open today, Feb 3. The answer is, yes! This morning and afternoon, enjoy the wonderful clothed poses of our favorite muse, Cassandra, and in the evening experience our newest model, Lexi. See you there!

(Below: interpretations of 3 of Cassandra’s 2024 poses, by artists Renee Loeffler, Izzy Rosanne and Madeline Nelson)