Light & Atmosphere in Watercolor Workshop - Sean Friloux

Audubon Park offers centuries-old live oaks, lagoons, birdlife, and changing light conditions that make it ideal for plein-air watercolor study. The park includes a picturesque lagoon, extensive oak canopy, and open vistas.  

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Audubon Park 8am - 11am : Break : Main Building (2nd Floor painting) from 1pm-4pm

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Day 1 — Seeing Shapes, Values & Atmosphere

Morning (Audubon Park)

8:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Location: Fountain at St. Charles Ave. entrance

Topics:

• Simplifying complex landscapes

• Thumbnail sketches

• Establishing strong value patterns

• Capturing morning light

Demonstration:

• 20-minute watercolor landscape

PleinAir Exercise:

• Limited-palette landscape study or sketch

Afternoon (Studio)

1:00PM – 4:00PM

Critique and instruction:

• Editing photographs vs. painting from observation

• Color temperature and atmospheric perspective

• Common watercolor mistakes and corrections

Studio Exercise:

• Rework morning studies into a stronger composition

Day 2 — Trees, Water & Reflections

Morning (Audubon Park)

8:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Location: Fountain at St. Charles Ave. entrance

Subjects:

• Southern live oaks and Spanish moss

• Water reflections

• Lost-and-found edges

• Negative painting techniques

Demonstration:

• Painting the character of an oak canopy

PleinAir Exercise :

1. Tree portrait study

2. Reflection study

3. Medium-format landscape

Audubon Park’s famous oak canopy and lagoon provide excellent subjects for studying texture, reflections, and organic form.  

Afternoon (Studio)

1:00 PM – 4:00PM

Topics:

• Design and focal points

• Strengthening compositions

• Color mixing workshop

Critique Session:

• Group review of outdoor paintings

• Individual coaching

Day 3 — Creating a Finished Piece

Morning (Audubon Park)

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Students select a personal subject:

• Tree of Life

• Lagoon scene

• Bird Island views

• Oak alleys

Goals:

• Independent painting

• Instructor coaching

• Refining personal style

Afternoon (Studio)

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Final Project:

• One fully resolved watercolor (11”×15” or 15”×22”)

Topics:

• Finishing touches

• Edge control

• Presentation and matting

Closing Critique

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Each participant presents:

• Approx 3–6 studies

• 1 finished painting

• Discussion of process and next steps

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Suggested Materials

• 140 lb. cold-press watercolor paper, suggested Arches brand

• ½” and 1” flat brushes

• Round brushes (#6, #10)

• Limited palette (Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, Pyrole Red, Raw Sienna, Lemon Yellow) suggested Daniel Smith brand

• Folding plein-air chair

• Water container

• Sketchbook

• Sun protection and hat

Class Size

• 10 students

• Beginner through advanced

• Morning plein-air instruction and afternoon studio refinement

This format balances direct observation in Audubon Park with structured studio critique and is very much in line with traditional representational watercolor instruction.

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