Description

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Every August in Northern Maine we have a big balloon festival. Balloon pilots from around the country descend on Presque Isle, ME to conduct the yearly event. It’s a magical scene watching hot air balloons float through the sky every morning and every evening. They have to fly when the wind is at its lightest so that is why you only see them in morning and evening for the most part.

I was inspired to create a painting based on the balloon fest. I wanted to create something that was somewhat surreal because the event itself is surreal. It’s almost like a scene from the 1800s in my mind. Traveling by balloon is a very magical idea, as we all remember from the Wizard of Oz.

Come learn how to paint We Float at Dusk with me. I will provide you with a sketch of the Maine balloon that you can use to transfer to the canvas, making the proportions easy to capture. Learn how to create a golden sunset sky peppered with balloons floating in the distance. I will take you through each step of the way, from mixing color, to picking brushes, to applying the paint. Learn how to create a 3 dimensional balloon with a few easy steps.

This one is so much fun. I hope you join me in painting We Float At Dusk.

Canvas Size: 24 x 24 (any canvas will work)
Colors Used: Alizarin Crimson, Yellow Ochre, Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Teal, Titanium White, Zinc White, Burnt Sienna

Lesson Length: 3 hours