Improve your painting skills at Dublin Plein Air Workshops
2026 Workshop Artists are : Kate Beagan | Paul O’Kane | Dave West | Kieran Guckian | Deirdre Shanny | David Fitzgerald | Desmond Downes | Paul D’Arcy
Workshops may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
Masters of their art and our plein air artists will share their tips of the trade with you during the workshops.
Please Note – You must have already paid the Artist Registration or pay it now ( € 90 euro) before joining any workshops.
Monday 15 June 10 am – Paul D’Arcy – Free Introduction to Plein Air – Skerries Red Island
Paul will discuss equipment and the best way to approach working out doors. The talk which is free to attend is aimed at those people who are new to painting outdoors (en plein air). Paul D’Arcy is a professional artist for the past 30 years and has been painting plein air since the 1980’s all over the world. Any registered artist may attend.
Monday 15 June – 11 am to 1 pm : Dave West Workshop – Oils – Skerries Red Island
Dave West is a highly versatile artist working predominately in oil paint but always experimenting with other media including watercolour, printmaking, charcoal, pastel and drawing.
He believes that it is this single element that gives an authentic, unique character to his work and as a representational painter he is constantly exploring the relationships between mark, gesture, material and meaning.
Dave’s ‘plein air’ landscape painting takes him the length and breadth of Ireland in search of fresh subject matter in addition to occasional trips abroad, he is a regular participant and tutor at plein air events and festivals.
Tuesday 16 June – 10 am to 1 pm : Kieran Guckian Workshop – Oils – Farmleigh House
Painting the landscape outside (en plein air) is central to Kieran’s current practice, capturing in real time the light and feeling of places that inspire him. His location work will continue to inform his larger more conceptual studio pieces.
Kieran reached the final of Landscape Artist of the Year (series 10) in 2025 where the three finalists painted Stonehenge.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Kieran’s art journey began with a love of ornithology and drawing birds. His first mentor and teacher was Sister Maureen McMahon, founder of the High Loft painting group. Kieran went on to attend Crawford College of Art and Design graduating with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art Painting.
Wednesday 17 June – 10 am to 1 pm : Kate Beagan Workshop – Oils – National Botanic Gardens
Kate Beagan is a contemporary Irish painter whose work is rooted in a particular focus on the interplay of light and shadow, color and tone. In 2025 she was honoured with the AE Russell award at the Royal Ulster Academy.
Kate exhibits regularly with the RHA (Royal Hibernian Academy) and the RUA (Royal Ulster Academy). She is a regular exhibitor at the Mall Galleries in London with the SWA (Society of Women Artists) and the ROI (Royal Institute of Oil Painters). Her paintings are deeply autobiographical, often depicting the same roads she has traveled throughout her life, during school runs, family outings, weddings, funerals, and quiet moments of reflection.
Thursday 18 June – 10 am to 1 pm : Paul O’Kane Workshop – Watercolour – Balbriggan Martello Tower
Paul is a well known ‘plein air’ watercolour artist living in County Down. His goal is to see & capture Ireland with fresh eyes and the best way to do that is in watercolour.
The thrill of painting a watercolour is like taking a rollercoaster ride through a kaleidoscope of colour and light. Turbulent as it is, his aim is to create a simple sketch. To tell a beautiful story that can hang on a wall and delight the viewer.
Friday 19 June – 10 am to 1 pm : Deirdre Shanny Workshop – Oils – Ardgillan Castle
Deirdre travels around Ireland and Europe painting en plein air and is a founder of Boyne Plein Air painting group. She has made Donegal her home over the last number of year. She moved there to be closer to the wonderful landscapes on the edge of the Atlantic ocean where the weather and light are constantly changing. She has taught for many years and enjoys the interaction with her students.
Saturday 20 June – 10 am to 1 pm : Dave Fitzgerald Workshop – watercolour – Dunsink Observatory
David Fitzgerald paintings are characterised by its loose drawing and freeflowing watercolour style creating an atmosphere of joy and lightheartedness.
“I use a six step process from the start to the finish of my painting and buildup layers of watercolour paint, using light and dark to capture the mood of the day. Join me on my workshop and I’ll show you how to use watercolours to quickly paint the sky, landscape, people and buildings while having as much fun with the paint and process as possible.”
Sunday 21 June – 10 am to 1 pm : Des Downes Workshop – Oils – Malahide Castle Walled Garden
Desmond Downes is a visual artist based in Co. Mayo, with a career spanning over four decades in the international animation industry working as a Background Painter, Environment Artist and Art Director for major studios most notably for DreamWorks Animation in California.
But Desmond’s true passion lies in painting en plein air with oil paints. He embraces the challenge of capturing Ireland’s landscapes, seascapes, and urban scenes, with a focus on composition, colour and atmosphere.
“Painting outdoors can be both challenging and rewarding. There is an energy in outdoor work, in limited time, and reacting to conditions that are outside your control. The results are always a wonderful surprise. I prefer to use oils for their versatility and richness.”
Sunday 21 June – 2 to 4 pm : Quick Paint Competition for Charity
Ireland has the highest incidence of Cystic Fibrosis in the world – approximately 1 in 19 Irish people are said to ‘carry’ one copy of the altered gene that causes Cystic Fibrosis.
Click here to donate Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.
Please Note – You must have already paid the Artist Registration or pay it now before you can join any workshops etc.
Always a fun event at the end of festival week in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and a great way for artists to support people with CF.
Please note – Workshops may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. . Registered artists will informed by email if this happens.