GPWS Road Trip hosted by Judy Thompson
GPWS is fortunate to have many wonderful members who live outside the Sioux Falls area. Several have graciously agreed to host events in their communities. The goals of these gatherings are to paint with friends, connect with local artists, and simply have fun. Plan to pack a sack lunch, and feel free to carpool if you wish to the beautiful location of Orange City, IA.
Great Plains Watercolor Society Artist Outing & Workshops
Saturday, August 29
Orange City, Iowa
FREE! Open to All Area Artists
Join the Great Plains Watercolor Society for a day of creativity, inspiration, and community in beautiful Orange City. Whether you enjoy watercolor, acrylic, oil, pastel, colored pencil, or another medium, you’ll find opportunities to paint, learn, and connect with fellow artists.
All activities are free, and artists of all mediums and experience levels are welcome!
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Plein Air Painting
Windmill Park • Downtown Orange City
Enjoy a relaxed morning of plein air painting in one of Orange City’s most picturesque locations.
- Open to artists of all mediums and experience levels
- Bring your own painting supplies
- Paint alongside members of the Great Plains Watercolor Society
12:00 p.m. | Lunch
Bring a sack lunch or enjoy one of Orange City’s local restaurants and cafés.
Afternoon Workshops with Judy Thompson
Kweken Co. Coffee Shop (Located next to Windmill Park)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Get Composed! Planning a Successful Painting
A strong composition is the foundation of every successful painting. Through demonstrations and hands-on exercises, you’ll learn practical techniques for creating stronger, more engaging artwork.
You’ll learn how to:
- Plan an effective composition
- Simplify shapes and design elements
- Create stronger focal points and visual movement
- Use creative approaches that make your paintings more compelling
Who should attend: Artists of all mediums and skill levels
Bring: Sketchbook and pencil. Painting supplies are optional.
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Creating Rich Textures with Watercolor
Discover techniques for creating the illusion of rich surface texture while preserving watercolor’s luminous transparency. Judy will demonstrate a variety of methods she uses to build depth, texture, and visual interest in her award-winning paintings.
Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with these techniques during the workshop.
Bring:
- Watercolor paints
- Watercolor paper
- Masking fluid
Additional workshop materials will be provided.
Come for one activity or stay for the entire day!
Spend the day painting, learning, and connecting with fellow artists in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Admission is free. Everyone is welcome!
