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Plein Air in the Mountains: Fall Edition
October 19 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Hosted by FADE Initiative | Instructed by Artist Becca Burns
Join Becca Burns in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains for a day of painting en plein air — surrounded by vibrant fall color and crisp mountain air. This relaxed outdoor session is perfect for artists of all levels who want to improve their plein air painting skills, connect with other creatives, and enjoy guidance from a practicing professional artist. Beginners are highly encouraged to join us for the preceding class.
What to Expect:
- A beautiful morning drive through peak autumn foliage and mild, comfortable weather
- Gentle lesson and feedback from instructor Becca Burns overlooking the beautiful Smokey Mountains
- Time to explore your own creative process while painting outdoors with two supportive mentors
- A welcoming community of artists who learn, share, and grow together
Picture by Becca Burns, all rights reserved.
About your Instructor
Becca Burns is a local artist and instructor passionate about helping others experience the joy and challenge of painting from life. With over two decades of creative experience, she works across oil, watercolor, ceramics, and more—bringing warmth, skill, and encouragement to every plein air session.
More Helpful Information
Event Itinerary
7:00 AM – Optional Breakfast Meetup and Caravan Drive
The instructors are meeting at TBD in TBD, TN and will caravan at 8:00 am with anyone that meets us.
9:00 AM – Meet & Set Up
Arrive at the location, settle in, and prepare your materials. Take a few minutes to introduce yourself to the group and find a comfortable painting spot.
9:30 AM – Plein Air Painting Class
Instructor Becca Burns will guide participants through the fundamentals of plein air watercolor painting — from composition and light observation to brushwork techniques.
10:30 AM – Break
Take a short pause to stretch, hydrate, or grab a snack while enjoying the view.
10:45 AM – Mentoring Meetup
Gather together for a relaxed discussion and feedback session. Becca will offer personal insights, answer questions, and provide one-on-one guidance for continued improvement.
12:00 PM – Wrap Up
We’ll close with group reflections and a few minutes to share your work, exchange contact info, and pack up supplies before heading out.
Art Supplies List
Minimum Require Supplies
- Watercolor Set – Travel kits usually come with paint, sponge, brush and mixing palette (the lid) and a well for water (sometimes its in the brush, sometimes its a part of the kit
- Watercolor Sketchbook – Thick cold or hot-press pages or watercolor paper preferred
- Pencil – 2B pencil recommended for sketching
Recommended Additional Supplies
- Drawing Board – Keeps your work stable and elevated
- Waterproof Pen – .08 Micron recommended for lining the sketch
- Extra Brushes – Basic watercolor brush set (≈ $8 at Michaels); acrylic brushes also work
- Water Container – Old jar or lidded bottle for rinsing brushes
- Paper Towels or Rag – For blotting brushes and quick clean-ups
- Spray Bottle – Keeps paints and palette moist
- Clip or Masking Tape – Holds pages steady in the wind
Optional Extras
- Camera – for taking reference photos if you wish to finish the painting later
- White gel pen or gouache – for highlights
- Alligator Clips – alternate way to hold paper steady
Personal Supplies List
To make your outdoor painting session more comfortable
Recommended supplies:
- Folding Chair or Stool – For comfortable seating for in a parking lot or camp ground
- Apron or Old Shirt – Wear clothes you don’t mind getting paint or water on
Discretionary supplies:
- Small Backpack or Tote – To carry supplies easily
- Dress for Weather – It’s fall on the mountain, so bring a sweater or coat
- Hat and Sunscreen – Protection from sun exposure
- Bug Spray – Especially useful in wooded or grassy areas
- Water Bottle and Snacks – Stay hydrated and energized
- Umbrella – in case of light misting rain
What if it rains? Or get’s cancelled?
We will be keeping a close eye on the weather conditions the day before and will keep you updated with the phone number you provide during checkout.
- In the case of fog, mist and light rain, we will be setting up canopies.
- If the rain, wind or other weather proves to be too harsh, we will move to a different pre-determined location where the weather is in less effect. Tentatively, Willow Springs Park in Johnson City, TN.
- You can only request a refund if the event is cancelled by FADE Initiative because of reasons out of the control of FADE Initiative.