Capture the Light: Experience Plein Air Painting on the Peninsula with John Barrows – Join Us in this exciting event!
Capture the Light: Experience Plein Air Painting on the Peninsula with John Barrows
Art lovers and aspiring painters have a wonderful opportunity to take their creativity outdoors during Capture the Light: Plein Air Painting on the Peninsula, an immersive three-day workshop led by award-winning artist John Barrows, SWA. Hosted by Art Bias in San Carlos, this special weekend experience is designed for artists who want to strengthen their outdoor painting skills, understand changing light, and develop a more confident artistic vision.
Taking place from September 11 through September 13, 2026, the workshop combines instruction, demonstration, hands-on practice, and personalized coaching in a beautiful setting on the San Francisco Peninsula. With the stunning surroundings of Crystal Springs Reservoir as inspiration, participants will learn how to simplify the landscape and create paintings that capture the character and atmosphere of the outdoors.
Discover the Art of Painting Outdoors
Plein air painting is the practice of creating artwork directly from the landscape rather than working exclusively from photographs or inside a studio. While painting outdoors can be inspiring, it can also present challenges. Natural light changes quickly, weather conditions shift, and there is often more visual information than an artist knows how to handle.
This workshop is designed to make the process less overwhelming.
John Barrows will guide participants through a practical, step-by-step approach to outdoor painting. Instead of becoming lost in unnecessary details, students will learn how to identify the essential elements of a scene and translate them into a strong and expressive painting.
The goal is not simply to reproduce everything that appears in front of the artist. Instead, participants will learn how to make thoughtful artistic decisions and develop paintings that reflect their individual perspective.
Learn From Award-Winning Artist John Barrows
A major highlight of the workshop is the opportunity to learn directly from John Barrows, SWA. His experience and approach to landscape painting will give participants valuable insight into the creative and technical decisions involved in successful plein air work.
One of the weekend’s highlights will be a live oil painting demonstration on Saturday morning. Participants will be able to observe John’s process from beginning to end, gaining a closer understanding of how an experienced artist approaches composition, values, color, and changing outdoor conditions.
For artists looking to improve their technique, seeing the decision-making process unfold in real time can be an especially valuable learning experience.
Master the Power of the Notan
Another important focus of the workshop is the Notan sketch, a fundamental tool for establishing value structure and composition before beginning a painting.
Participants will learn how a quick Notan study can help simplify a complex landscape into essential light and dark patterns. This allows artists to establish a strong composition before committing to the canvas.
Learning this skill can be particularly useful when painting outdoors, where conditions can change rapidly. A well-planned value structure gives artists a solid foundation and helps them stay focused even as the light and landscape shift.
Personalized Small-Group Coaching
One of the most valuable features of this workshop is its intentionally small class size. The program is limited to just eight students, allowing participants to receive personalized attention and one-on-one guidance from the instructor.
A small group creates an environment where artists can ask questions, discuss their challenges, receive constructive feedback, and focus on areas where they want to improve. Whether participants are relatively new to plein air painting or already have outdoor painting experience, the individualized instruction can help them take their work to the next level.
The workshop also provides an opportunity to connect with other artists who share an interest in landscape painting and outdoor creativity.
Take Your Learning Beyond the Workshop
The experience does not end when the weekend is over. Participants will receive a practical reference booklet filled with actionable advice designed to support their continued artistic development.
The resource can serve as a useful guide for future outdoor painting sessions or studio practice, allowing students to revisit the concepts introduced during the workshop and continue building their skills.
This combination of hands-on instruction, demonstration, personalized coaching, and take-home resources makes the workshop a valuable experience for artists seeking meaningful improvement.
A Creative Weekend at Art Bias
Hosted at Art Bias, located at 1700 Industrial Road in San Carlos, the workshop offers participants the chance to combine artistic learning with the beauty of the San Francisco Peninsula.
The three-day experience is scheduled for Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13, 2026, with the event running through Sunday afternoon. The workshop fee is $375.
For anyone interested in landscape painting, this is an opportunity to step outside the traditional studio environment, observe nature more carefully, and learn how to capture fleeting moments of light and atmosphere.
Whether you are an experienced painter or an artist eager to develop stronger outdoor skills, Capture the Light: Plein Air Painting on the Peninsula with John Barrows promises an inspiring weekend filled with creativity, learning, and artistic exploration.
Event Details
Event: Capture the Light: Plein Air Painting on the Peninsula
Artist: John Barrows, SWA
Date: September 11–13, 2026
Location: Art Bias, 1700 Industrial Road, San Carlos, California
Featured Setting: Crystal Springs Reservoir
Class Size: Limited to 8 students
Workshop Fee: $375
Medium: Oil painting demonstration and plein air landscape painting
Pack your brushes, open your eyes to the changing light, and prepare to experience the San Francisco Peninsula from an artist’s perspective. This September, discover how simplifying the landscape can lead to stronger compositions, more confident paintings, and a deeper connection with the world around you.
See other interesting events in San Carlos. You may also check the main calendar for the dates of these, or to save them on your personal calendar.
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Mark Martinho and Viv Kelvin are the owners of Vabrato Real Estate
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