“Step Outside: Plein Air Painting” presented by Betsy Payne Cook, PPSCC
Join us for Plein Air painting classes at various outdoor locations in the Upper Cape area
"I notice that my time plein air painting makes a difference to how I approach pastel painting when I am in my studio, thoughtful choices paired with spontaneity." - Betsy
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Classes: Tuesdays
August 6-27 Time: 8:30-11:30AM Location: various outdoor locations in the Upper Cape area Cost: $120 members Any medium - this class is devoted to the experience of painting on location! Beginners to painting en plein air are welcome but if you paint in a medium other than pastel you should have a good working knowledge of your medium. Betsy paints in pastels but information will apply to other drawing & painting mediums as well.
Painting outdoors is an exhilarating experience, and this class is ideal for artists who want to take the challenge of stepping outdoors to paint! Whether you are a novice or an experienced painter, the opportunity to paint together outdoors is rewarding. I notice that my time plein air painting makes a difference to how I approach pastel painting when I am in my studio. Each week we will go to a different location in the Upper Cape area allowing us to paint a wide variety of Cape Cod locations. I will select spots in Falmouth, Bourne, Sandwich, Mashpee and Barnstable. You will receive an email with directions each Sunday evening and will respond by late afternoon on Monday to confirm you are joining us at that location. I encourage artists to arrive a bit early to wander around the location before I begin my demo. Class will begin with a pastel painting demo at each site at 8:30 am, and I will share pointers for setting up on location and narrowing the field of vision to choose a composition for your painting. Goals will include developing sketching and planning skills, simplifying shapes, painting masses, selecting color harmonies, and details. You will receive individual feedback and coaching while you work at your easel. Class Registration closes 48 hours prior to the first class, as a courtesy to the instructor. Some classes have limited enrollment so please register soon so you don’t miss out.
To Register by Mail: Download registration form here |
Materials List:
You will need a sketchbook, drawing materials, your painting supplies, and an easel. I will be happy to try to assist you if you do not have an easel. Please remember to bring sunscreen, bug repellent, water and a hat with a brim! Optional but useful items to have are a camp chair to use during the demo or when you take a break and an artist’s umbrella to keep you and your painting out of the sun!
If you have any questions please contact me at betsy@betsypaynecook.com
You will need a sketchbook, drawing materials, your painting supplies, and an easel. I will be happy to try to assist you if you do not have an easel. Please remember to bring sunscreen, bug repellent, water and a hat with a brim! Optional but useful items to have are a camp chair to use during the demo or when you take a break and an artist’s umbrella to keep you and your painting out of the sun!
If you have any questions please contact me at betsy@betsypaynecook.com
Instructor: Betsy Payne Cook, PPSCC

Betsy Payne Cook paints exclusively with pastels, and is honored to be a juried artist member of the Pastel Society of America and to have achieved signature membership status of the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod (PPSCC). Betsy is acknowledged as a juried Master Artist at the Cape Cod Art Association. She participates in local and national juried exhibitions, and is a member of several art organizations. Betsy is represented by Gallery Artrio in Hyannis and True Grit Gallery in Middleboro.
Betsy records her thoughts and experiences as an artist in her newsletter “Painting In and Out”. Her hope is to provide inspiration and insight while sharing her love of pastels and her life as an artist. Betsy teaches pastel workshops and classes, and is on the faculty of the Falmouth Arts Center and the Cultural Center of Cape Cod. Betsy organizes Cape Cod plein air classes and workshops including destination plein air painting workshops in Wales Great Britain. Betsy attended the College of St. Rose in her home town of Albany, N.Y, earning a B.S. Art Education & a M.S. Special Education. Cape Cod was always a family favorite for a week’s vacation, or a weekend; and she made it her home in 1994 when she returned to the states after living in a small village in Wales, Great Britain for nine years.
Betsy’s pastel paintings have been exhibited in many competitive local and national juried exhibitions. Her solo show “Traversing the Atlantic: Travels with my Pastels” featuring her plein air paintings has rotated through local venues in 2017 and 2018.
Betsy records her thoughts and experiences as an artist in her newsletter “Painting In and Out”. Her hope is to provide inspiration and insight while sharing her love of pastels and her life as an artist. Betsy teaches pastel workshops and classes, and is on the faculty of the Falmouth Arts Center and the Cultural Center of Cape Cod. Betsy organizes Cape Cod plein air classes and workshops including destination plein air painting workshops in Wales Great Britain. Betsy attended the College of St. Rose in her home town of Albany, N.Y, earning a B.S. Art Education & a M.S. Special Education. Cape Cod was always a family favorite for a week’s vacation, or a weekend; and she made it her home in 1994 when she returned to the states after living in a small village in Wales, Great Britain for nine years.
Betsy’s pastel paintings have been exhibited in many competitive local and national juried exhibitions. Her solo show “Traversing the Atlantic: Travels with my Pastels” featuring her plein air paintings has rotated through local venues in 2017 and 2018.