Beginner Plein Air Painting Workshop
with local artist Liz Poulin Alvarez
Liz Alvarez, LVAA Member & Instructor
Also known as plein air painting, this painting class for beginners will be at Centennial Park on Sunday, August 9, from 1:00–4:00 p.m.
This is a beginner painting course to learn to paint outside using acrylic paints.
Students will learn:
Balanced compositions
Basic value and color theory
Complete a small painting on location
Students meet at the Cypress Gallery at 12:45 p.m. to set up their easels under the gazebo at Centennial Park.
For an added fee, students may borrow supplies and an easel.
Class size: 5–10 students
Minimum age: 16
Course fee: $75
Students bring their own acrylic painting supplies
Supplies and an easel may be borrowed for an added fee of $15 per person
REGISTER HERE
Please register online by Saturday, August 8, 2026.
Supplies & Materials
Students should bring:
1 easel
Sketchbook/pencils
Palette (for acrylic painting)
Brushes: square, filbert and round (1", ½")
Paints:
White
Burnt umber
Burnt sienna
Ultramarine blue
Cobalt blue
Alizarin crimson
Quinacridone purple
Sap green
Indian yellow
Yellow ochre
Lemon yellow
Acrylic Flow Release from Golden Acrylic Paints (please do not use Liquitex)
Small cup for water
Paper towels
A viewfinder (your phone camera works well!)
Optional: A small watercolor palette used for adding color to your sketches.
About the Instructor
Since 2016, Liz Poulin Alvarez continues to teach visual arts full time at Lompoc High School and dual enrollment courses with Allan Hancock College in studio art and art history.
Growing up in Maine, Liz learned to love painting outdoors, then trained as an Illustrator to earn a BFA at the Rhode Island School of Design, a teacher credential in art from UCSB, then completed a MFA at Whitecliffe College in New Zealand.
Liz continues to exhibit her artwork regionally at the Cypress Gallery and Gallery 113 in Santa Barbara.