Alberta Plein Air Academy
5-Day Outdoor Painting Intensive
Paint the Spirit of Alberta
Step outside the studio and experience the landscape through painting.
Alberta Plein Air Academy
Step outside the studio and experience the landscape through painting.
The Alberta Plein Air Academy is a five-day intensive designed for artists who want to develop their ability to observe, understand, and paint directly from nature.
Over five mornings, we will explore a different aspect of landscape painting each day—from composition and cloud formations to light, shadow, colour, atmosphere, and the final finished painting.
This is not simply five days of painting outdoors. It is a structured artistic experience designed to help you see like an artist and paint with greater confidence.
Program Details
Location: Urban Art Studio 101 & selected outdoor locations in Edmonton
Duration: 5 days
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Class Size: Minimum 6 artists | Maximum 10 artists
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Medium: Plein air painting — artists may work in pastel, oil, acrylic, watercolour, or another suitable medium.
Investment: $495 + GST
Next Session
Registration is now open.
The program will be scheduled once the minimum enrollment of 6 artists is reached.
Once the minimum enrollment is reached, participants will receive the confirmed dates and complete program details with at least three weeks’ notice.
Reserve your place today.
Each day focuses on an important element of landscape painting.
What You Will Learn
Day 1 — Composition & Seeing Like an Artist
Learn how to look at the landscape and identify the strongest visual elements.
- Choosing a strong composition
- Simplifying complex scenery
- Thumbnail sketches
- Establishing the focal point
- Creating a strong value structure
Day 2 — Light & Shadow
Understand how light transforms the landscape.
- Identifying light and shadow patterns
- Warm and cool light
- Creating depth through value
- Understanding cast shadows
- Capturing changing sunlight
Day 3 — Colour & Atmosphere
Discover how colour creates distance, mood, and harmony.
- Colour relationships
- Warm and cool colours
- Colour harmony
- Atmospheric perspective
- Creating natural greens and earth colours
Day 4 — Sky, Clouds, Water & Nature
Learn to observe and simplify constantly changing natural elements.
- Cloud formations
- Sky and atmospheric effects
- Water and reflections
- Trees and vegetation
- Creating movement and atmosphere
Day 5 — From Sketch to Finished Painting
Bring everything together into a complete landscape painting.
- Developing your strongest composition
- Refining values and colour
- Creating a clear focal point
- Individual guidance
- Final adjustments
- Group critique and discussion
A True Plein Air Experience
We will paint outdoors at selected scenic locations throughout Edmonton, including areas of the North Saskatchewan River Valley, parks, viewpoints, and other inspiring natural settings.
Locations may change depending on weather, light conditions, and the best opportunities for painting.
If weather conditions make outdoor painting unsuitable, the program will continue at Urban Art Studio 101 with demonstrations, studio painting, and guided instruction.
What Is Included
Your registration includes:
- Five days of professional instruction
- Daily demonstrations
- Individual guidance and feedback
- Landscape painting instruction
- Group discussions and critiques
- Use of studio facilities when required
- Certificate of Completion
- A supportive and inspiring artistic community
What You Need to Bring
Artists are responsible for their personal painting materials.
A complete recommended supply list will be provided after registration.
Generally, artists should bring:
- Their preferred painting medium
- Painting surfaces or paper
- Portable easel or painting setup
- Drawing board if required
- Folding chair
- Paper towels
- Water bottle
- Hat and sunscreen
- Weather-appropriate clothing
You are welcome to contact us before purchasing supplies. We can help you choose appropriate materials for your experience level and medium.
Meet Your Instructor
Fred Amini
Farhad Sadeghi Amini is an artist and educator with more than 40 years of professional experience and a Master of Fine Arts in Painting.
His teaching combines classical artistic principles with practical studio and outdoor painting experience, with an emphasis on drawing, composition, colour theory, observation, and developing an individual artistic voice.
At Urban Art Studio 101, students are encouraged not only to learn techniques, but to understand why those techniques work.
Why Join the Alberta Plein Air Academy?
Small Classes
With a maximum of 10 artists, every participant receives meaningful individual attention.
Structured Learning
Each day has a specific artistic focus, allowing you to build your skills progressively throughout the week.
Paint From Nature
Experience Edmonton’s beautiful river valley, parks, skies, trees, and changing light firsthand.
Professional Guidance
Learn through demonstrations, personal feedback, and group critiques.
Beginner to Advanced
Whether you are beginning your journey or already have experience, the program is designed to challenge and develop your skills.
Who Is This Program
This program is ideal for artists who:
- Want to learn plein air painting
- Want to improve landscape painting
- Want to understand light and colour
- Want to become more confident painting outdoors
- Want to develop their observation skills
- Want a focused artistic experience away from everyday distractions
- Enjoy learning in a small group environment
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous painting experience?
No. Artists of different experience levels are welcome. Instruction will be adapted to each participant’s needs.
Do I need to use pastel?
No. This is a plein air painting program, not a pastel-only course. You may work in the medium you are most comfortable with.
What happens if it rains?
The program will continue at Urban Art Studio 101 when weather conditions are unsuitable for outdoor painting.
When will the retreat start?
The program will begin once the minimum enrollment of 6 artists is reached. We will then confirm the dates with registered participants.
How many people will be in the class?
The minimum enrollment is 6 artists and the maximum is 10.
Do I need to bring my own easel?
Yes, if you have one. A recommended equipment list will be provided after registration.
Reserve Your Place
Alberta Plein Air Academy
5-Day Outdoor Painting Intensive
$495 + GST
Minimum enrollment: 6 artists
Maximum enrollment: 10 artists
Spaces are intentionally limited to provide each artist with individual instruction and feedback.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Once the minimum enrollment is reached, we will contact registered participants to confirm the dates and schedule.
Come paint Alberta with us.
Urban Art Studio 101
Edmonton, Alberta
Where creativity becomes a lifelong skill.