Celebrating Nearly 40 years
March 1972 - March 2012
en "Plein Air Painting in Public Places"
The visual artists of Holly Branch, American Pen Women, are currently promoting the appreciation and participation of outdoor painting. This free endeavor, "Painting in Public Places" is set to encourage the public to participate in the partnership of artists with similar interests, whether a novice or professional. Sessions this spring and summer will focus on Historic Delaware. Artists of any skill level are invited to join in to sketch, or paint. Artists must bring their own drawing and painting equipment.
The "en plein air" regular painters are pictured below:
Others have joined in from time to time.
You are welcome also!
 Dianne Bauer |  Donna Hansen |
| 
Maria Bessette |  N Taylor Collins |
Paint Out dates, locations and a suggested supply list will be posted on this site: hollybranchapw.org. Suggestions of local favorite and public historic sites can be emailed to nlapw.hollybranch@gmail.com . Questions can be directed to Maria Liberto Bessette,
Holly Branch Pres. 302-241-5919.
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Plein Air Painting Dates & Locations
Artists of all skill levels are welcome to join in on the fun and creativity.
( Please note liability notice at bottom of this page.)
2012 Dates Will begin in March. We will post the upcoming dates.
2011 Dates Sept 7: Thurs, 9 am. John Dickinson Plantation
John Dickinson Plantation, Kitts Hummock Rd, Dover. Lots of scenes to paint, gardens, the home, outdoor structures and landscape.
Aug 25: Thurs, 9 am. Lavender Fields (Warrington Manor), 18864 Cool Spring Rd, Milton DE 302-684-1514
The historic five-acre property, located on Cool Springs Road near the intersection of Martin and Fisher Roads, is all that remains of a large tract of land deeded to the Warrington family in 1776. Now planted and farmed with English and French Lavender it is a designation for visitors to DE. Visit the labyrinth and rose garden.Shop for lavender products and gifts. But please come to also paint with us.
Aug 17 (Wed), 9 am: Historic Belmont Hall, Smyrna, DE
A repeat of the previous week. A wonderful location to visit and paint. There are many views and images to paint. All interested artists are welcome. Come see what we are up to. See the map from Aug 10 below.
Aug 10 (Wed), 9 am: Historic Belmont Hall, Smyrna, DE
Belmont Hall is a Georgian house near Smyrna, Delaware, built about 1753 by Thomas Collins, who would become the sixth governor of Delaware. The front façade faces US 13, Smyrna, DE. "The Friends of Belmont " will open the property to us for this event. Paint the garden, grounds and historic structure. This gem which goes back to revolutionary times is waiting for our creativity.
July 27, 9:00 am (Wed): Kent County's Brecknock Park,
80 Old North Rd, Camden, DE.
Meet, set up and paint in front of the Manor House. This house is on the National Register of Historic Places and dates back to the 18th century. A tenant house, remains of the old mill, fields, garden and woodlands surround it. Many options to paint at this park.
July 12 (Tues)
Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes De. Paint the dunes, pines and towers.
June 8, 9 am (Wed)
Abbott's Mill Nature Center and Historic Mill, 15411 Abbott's Pond Road, Milford, DE 19963. Waterways, spill ponds, streams, historic structure.
June 1, 10 am (Wed)
John Dickinson Plantation, Kitts Hummock Rd, Dover. Lots of scenes to paint, gardens, the home, outdoor structures and landscape.
May 18, 9 am (Wed)
Historic Milford. Meet downtown at the Riverwalk area next to the Good News at 1 North Walnut Street.
Rained out!
May 11, 9 am (Wed)
Historic Milford. Meet downtown at the Riverwalk area next to the Good News at 1 North Walnut Street.
May 4, 9 am (Wed)
Historic Dover. Meet on "The Green", in front of the Old State House (South State Street). Artists will choose their favorite view of "The Green" and Legislative Mall area
April 27, 9 am (Wed)
Historic Dover. Meet on "The Green", in front of the Old State House (South State Street). Artists will choose their favorite view of "The Green" and Legislative Mall area.
April 20, 9 am (Wed)
Historic Camden and Wyoming DE. Meet at Delaware Bay Trading Company, 102 S Main Street, Camden DE at 9 am prior to painting. From that point artists will paint Historic Camden scenes.
April 6, 9 am (Wed)
Memorial Park, West side of Park Drive, Dover, DE on Wed, April 6, at 9 am. Memorial Park overlooks Mirror Lake, a beautiful stream with plantings of flowering trees and view of Legislative Hall.
Plein Air Painting Suggested Supplies
The following is not required to participate only suggested. The less you carry the better!
Also think about colored pencils and pastels which work just as well as acrylics, oils and watercolors.
Acrylics Plein Air Painting Checklist:
• A selection of acrylic paints
• A small assorment of brushes
• Bottle of water
• Cup for washing brushes
• Paper towel or cloth for wiping brushes on
• Palette to mix paints
• Paper, boards, or canvas
• If necessary, an empty bottle for pouring dirty paint water into, for disposable back home
Oils Plein Air Painting Checklist:
• A selection of oil paints
• A small assortment of burshes
• Mediums (turpentine, turpenoid)
• Paper towel or cloth for wiping brushes on
• Palette for mixing paints
• Paper, boards, or canvas
• A container for for pouring mediums into, for disposable back home.
Tips: • A disposable paper palette makes cleaning up easy.
Watercolor Plein Air Painting Checklist:
• Watercolour paintbox or selection of tubes
• A small asortment of brushes
• Pencil and eraser
• Four (rustproof) clips or pegs for keeping your paper in place when it's windy
• Paper towel or cloth for wiping brushes on
• Bottle of water
• Cup for washing brushes
• Watercolour paper
• If necessary, an empty bottle for pouring dirty paint water into, for disposable back home.
Generally Speaking Don't Forget The Following Helpful Items:
Cut away viewing card, small sketch pad, pencils, eraser
Camera to use for references, details, light and color
Easel or TV tray/table and folding chair
Pack all supplies in nap sack or cloth bag
Bottled water, hat
Sunscreen & insect repellent in summer
Container or cardboard box to transport your painting back home
Paper towels or clean rags
Bottled water and a snack for yourself
Dress in layers
Folding chair/stool
(You will know after one session what to bring for the next session)
Our hope is to support the love of painting outdoors. Remember we are joining in to have fun with a common interest.
Feel free to contact Maria with concerns or questions. Please note, there is no commitment on the part of Holly Branch, NLAPW
The Holly Branch, NLAPW, a 501c3, assumes no responsibility or liability for actions related to loss, damage or injury of personal property or personal injury of self or others. Participants shall comply to all local, county and State of Delaware laws and ordinances while on public property.