Plein Air Essentials - Oil Supplement Course

Editorial Take

Michael Chesley Johnson’s Plein Air Essentials – Oil Supplement is a focused, no-frills course designed specifically for painters who have already taken the foundational course. It assumes familiarity with basic plein air concepts and dives straight into oil-specific challenges encountered in the field.

Standout Strengths

• Targeted Continuation: This course fills a niche by extending the original Plein Air Essentials with oil-specific techniques. It respects students’ prior learning and builds on it efficiently without redundancy.
• Instructor Expertise: Michael Chesley Johnson brings decades of plein air experience and a clear teaching style. His calm delivery and practical tips reflect real-world field experience, making advice immediately applicable.
• Field-Ready Techniques: The content emphasizes solutions for common outdoor oil painting issues—drying time, color mixing under natural light, and managing materials on location. These are invaluable for artists transitioning from studio to plein air.
• Concise Demonstration: The final oil demonstration is tightly edited and shows a complete workflow from start to finish. It reinforces earlier concepts and gives learners a clear model to emulate in their own practice.
• Lifetime Access: Students can revisit the video lessons anytime, which is especially helpful when preparing for or reflecting on plein air outings. This flexibility enhances long-term learning and retention.
• Clear Structure: Despite its brevity, the course is logically organized. Each section flows naturally from introduction to advanced topics to final demonstration, creating a satisfying learning arc.

Honest Limitations

• Very Short Duration: At under 80 minutes total, the course offers limited content. Learners expecting a comprehensive curriculum may feel it ends too soon. More demonstrations would have significantly increased value.
• No Assignments or Feedback: The course lacks structured exercises or instructor feedback. Without practice prompts, students must self-direct their application of concepts, which may challenge less disciplined learners.
• Assumes Prior Enrollment: Without completing the original course, newcomers will miss key context. This supplement isn’t a standalone product, limiting its accessibility and usefulness to a narrow audience.
• Limited Resources: There are no downloadable PDFs, checklists, or material guides. Adding reference sheets for oil mediums, color palettes, or plein air kits would enhance usability.

How to Get the Most Out of It

• Study cadence: Watch the course right before heading out to paint. Immediate application reinforces learning and helps internalize techniques while materials are fresh in mind.
• Parallel project: Recreate the final demonstration alongside the video. Pause and mimic each stage to develop muscle memory and deepen understanding of the process.
• Note-taking: Jot down specific tips on color mixing and brushwork during viewing. Keep a plein air journal to reference these notes during future painting sessions.
• Community: Share your progress in plein air art groups or forums. Engaging with others using the same method builds motivation and provides informal critique.
• Practice: Apply one technique per outing—such as blocking in shadows first or using a limited palette. Focused repetition leads to mastery more effectively than broad attempts.
• Consistency: Schedule weekly plein air sessions, even short ones. Regular exposure to natural light and outdoor conditions accelerates skill development.

Supplementary Resources

• Book: 'Plein Air Painting: A Complete Guide to Using Bold Color, Big Light, and Loose Brushwork' by Kevin Macpherson complements this course with deeper theory and examples.
• Tool: A portable plein air easel with palette tray simplifies setup and improves workflow efficiency in the field, enhancing the learning experience.
• Follow-up: Enroll in live plein air workshops to gain hands-on feedback and deepen skills learned in this digital course.
• Reference: Study works by classic plein air painters like Richard Schmid or Clyde Aspevig to analyze technique and inspire personal style development.

Common Pitfalls

• Pitfall: Expecting a full course rather than a supplement. This is not a standalone program—ensure you’ve completed the original Plein Air Essentials to get full value.
• Pitfall: Passive viewing without practice. Without active painting, the techniques won’t transfer. Commit to applying each lesson immediately after watching.
• Pitfall: Overcomplicating materials. Stick to a simple oil setup—limited palette, two brushes, and a small canvas—to focus on technique rather than gear.

Time & Money ROI

• Time: With less than 80 minutes of content, the time investment is minimal. Ideal for busy artists seeking efficient, high-impact learning.
• Cost-to-value: Priced accessibly, it offers expert guidance at a fraction of workshop costs. Best value when paired with the original course.
• Certificate: Includes a certificate of completion, useful for continuing education records or professional development portfolios.
• Alternative: Free YouTube tutorials lack structured progression; this course provides curated, sequential learning from a recognized artist.

Editorial Verdict

This oil supplement course excels as a focused, practical extension of the original Plein Air Essentials. It’s not designed to stand alone, but for those who’ve completed the first course, it delivers concise, expert-led instruction that bridges foundational knowledge with real-world oil painting challenges. Michael Chesley Johnson’s calm, experienced guidance makes complex techniques approachable, and the final demonstration ties concepts together effectively. The course respects the learner’s time and commitment, offering no fluff—just targeted content for serious painters.

However, its brevity and lack of interactive elements mean self-motivation is essential. Without assignments or downloadable aids, learners must take initiative to apply what they’ve seen. It’s best suited for disciplined artists who already understand plein air basics and want to refine their oil technique. If you're looking for a quick, expert-backed boost before your next outdoor session, this course delivers. But if you're seeking a comprehensive curriculum or hands-on feedback, consider pairing it with live workshops or community painting groups. Overall, it’s a strong niche offering that punches above its weight for the right audience.