Intro to Plein Air: Seeing as an Artist with Ron Donoughe
August 22, 2026
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
$80 Adult
$80 Senior (65+)
$45 College Student (w/ ID)
Members of The Frick Societies receive complimentary admission
Learn the basics of Plein Air painting, or painting outdoors, in this introductory workshop led by Pittsburgh artist Ron Donoughe. Using the Frick Pittsburgh grounds and gardens as inspiration, students will spend the morning outdoors as Ron helps them to see the color of shapes, which will become the foundation for the painting. Attendees are responsible for bringing their own materials. Access to the French Moderns exhibition is not included.
Seeing as an Artist
An outdoor painting workshop at The Frick Pittsburgh by Ron Donoughe
Much of painting is how to see the subject differently. This workshop will help students see the color of shapes, which will become the foundation for the painting.
Workshop Objectives:
- Show and tell of the materials
- Help students to see and translate the world into paintings
- Principles of light, color and value will be addressed
- Demonstrate how premixed colors can help the outdoor painter achieve harmony and speed the process
- Composition will be addressed as a building block foundation
- How brushwork makes a painting more interesting to the viewer
Materials List:
Any Art Medium is OK; however, Ron uses oil paint.
- Outdoor easel or palette holder
- Oil paints and medium of choice, Ron uses Galkyd or Galkyd Light
- Brushes hog bristle filbert or flat, #2, 4, 6, and 10 is optional
- Toned canvas or panels – (6 x 8, 9 x 12 max. size. 5 min)
- Paint Thinner, odorless mineral spirit is best and also a small re-closeable container, Ron uses gamsol
- Palette Knife, metal is recommended
- Paper towels, Viva is recommended
- Sketch pad and pencils
- Hat, water, and patience
Suggested Colors:
- Titanium White,
- Cad Yellow light
- Cadmium Yellow Medium
- Yellow Ochre (optional)
- Cadmium Orange
- Cadmium Red Light
- Alizarin Crimson Permanent – be sure it’s permanent
- Ultramarine Blue
- Cobalt Blue
- Phthalo Green
- Raw Umber (optional)
Questions: ron@donoughe.com
About the Artist
Ron Donoughe, a native of Loretto, PA, now living in Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh, has been painting the Western Pennsylvania landscape for nearly 35 years. His work features the many textures of the region. Ron is a full-time professional artist. He has taught outdoor painting workshops throughout the United States and France. Ron is a Distinguished Alumni of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with additional studies at the California College of the Arts in the bay area.
Ron was awarded best of show at Three Rivers Arts Festival, 2003, and his work was featured in a one-person exhibition at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in November 2006 with the release of his first book, Essence of Pittsburgh.
His work was featured at the Pennsylvania Governor’s residence in 2011, in an exhibition titled Across the Alleghenies. His collection of 90 Pittsburgh Neighborhoods has been acquired by the Heinz History Center as a permanent exhibition and can be found next to the Mr. Rogers exhibition on the 4th floor. His paintings can be found in many corporate and private collections as well as The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, The Duquesne Club and The University Museum at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
He recently completed an Artist-in-Residence at Fallingwater, where he stayed and has offered plein air workshops. Last year The American Embassy in Ottawa, Canada featured his work and invited him to give a lecture and workshop.
