Robert Masla January 4 – 11, 2024
Drawing for the Painter – To Paint with Passion
-with Casa Founder 
Robert Masla
Thumbnail sketch with graphite wash pencil and
gouache on toned Rembrandt paper,
(Adirondack Plein Air Festival).
Morning on Buck Pond,(Adirondack Plein Air Festival),
6" x 8" watercolor on Fabriano cold press private collection,
Saranac Lake
This workshop is an expanded version of what Masla will be touching upon when he is teaching again this year (2024), at the Plein Air Convention and Expo. 2023 saw him on the Demo Stage in Colorado doing an oil painting demo and delivering his lecture on Beginning with the Importance of Intention: Improvisation and other Key Principles and Techniques. In 2024 he will be at the convention in the Smoky Mtns. offering a workshop on Drawing for the Painter as part of the Plein Air Fundamentals workshop series.
Drawing for the painter is sometimes skipped over, not practiced, neglected or misunderstood. Of course, one’s intention is always the first consideration. If one’s intention is to paint as a Photo Realist, that is a whole different set of criteria, (such as mastering the skills of what is often referred to as a “rendering”, a literal interpretation of ones observations), as opposed to the criteria for painting expressively or impressionistically, etc.. Both intentions share many skills and formula, but they also diverge in critical ways. In this workshop we will cover the basics of both approaches to drawing and distill what is most important and needed to advance our painting with any chosen intention.
Through various exercises using both drawing and painting media, we will explore and practice the various foundational principles of drawing and painting that teach us to see. You will leave with a set of exercises and skills to enhance your practice and continued artistic growth.
Painting on Brown Road, (plein air, Ashfield) oil on 8" x 16"
canvas on board
Salt in the Air, (plein air San Pancho), oil on 8" x 16"
canvas on board
Remove your fears, doubts, and the intimidation of drawing and unleash your creativity and your passion during this special week at Casa de los Artistas! Take your painting to the next level when you join Robert Masla for this journey of creativity. Bob shares with you insights and exercises so that you can rapidly advance in your drawing/painting skills and learn to see as a painter, developing an artists eye of awareness. He will help you to understand intention and tap your passion, the fire inside you – the spirit within – inspiration – that gives animation and life to your artwork.
Masla, The Yellow Barn,(plein air Ashfield)
oil on 11"x 14" canvas, private collection, N.Y.
Drawing from his over 40+ years experience as a professional artist, Masla shares with you not only the principles and techniques for creating a successful painting based on the basics of composition, value, edges, color, and brush handling, but also the methods to understand and access your intention – the motivation and inspiration that invigorates your art process and art.
From My Patio, (plein air at the Casa, Boca),
watercolor 1/4 sheetcold press paper,
private collection, Atlanta
Sunset from the Spanish Mosque, Chefouen, Morocco,
watercolor in sketchbook
When painting in plein air, artist participants will primarily paint with their medium of choice, but we will also have opportunities to work with various drawing and painting materials, water soluble graphite, ink pen, watercolors and/or gouache in our sketchbook/journals. Masla will demo and lead you in exercises with a variety of pencils, charcoal, watercolor, acrylic and oils, (Cobra water mixable). Many materials will be supplied, talk with Bob for details. No previous experience in any of these media is needed as we are not seeking perfection but exploring creativity and developing skills – this is Art – Process not Product. We will learn how to evaluate and then quickly and accurately simplify and render shapes, value, and atmosphere, creating unique compositions as we uncover our unique signature – discovering the formulas for creating art inline with our intentions. – And we will have fun doing it!
Thumbnail, Farm on 112, graphite wash and gouache on
Rembrandt toned paper
We will also learn about taking our journals, studies and photos back into the studio to create value studies and more extensive studio work.
Study for Famers, watercolor on 12"x 24" cold press paper
Bob will take time each day to work individually with each participant, helping them move towards their unique artistic goals and intentions.
“When I teach I don’t want artists to paint like me – I want to give them the tools they need to help facilitate them to express themselves – who they are… In my workshops there are no mistakes – only opportunities for learning, change and growth”.
Masla, From the Unrecognized Essential Workers Series:
Farmers, oil on canvas, 24" x 72"
Masla, A Distant View, (Mt. Manadnock from Brown Rd,
plein air), oil on canvas on board, 24" x 36"
Sharing and demoing in a variety of media both in the studio and in plein air, Bob will bring you to some of his favorite painting locations in and around Boca.
Morning Mist, Cobra oil on 10" x 8" canvas on board,
plein air and studio
On the Path, oil on 48" x 60" linen
Don’t miss this opportunity to breathe new energy into your art and life, invigorating your process!
Robert Masla
Drawing For The Painter – To Paint with Passion!
Jan. 4 – 11, 2025
SEMINAR IS LIMITED ! REGISTER NOW TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE! BOOK YOUR FLIGHT EARLY
Robert Masla, January 4 – 11, 2025 You can reserve your place with a $500. credit card deposit, (no surcharge) or pay in full (surcharge applies). Please indicate which workshop you are signing up for
Reserve Your Space Now!
