Plein air painting creates special memories of Crystal Cove

Students paint the bluffs at Crystal Cove State Park during a Great Plein Air Art Experience class in Newport Beach, CA on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. The Crystal Cove Conservancy offers classes twice a week through the summer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Students paint during a Great Plein Air Art Experience class at Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach, CA on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. The Crystal Cove Conservancy offers classes twice a week through the summer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Instructor Debbie Morines teaches at the “Beaches” cottage during the Great Plein Air Art Experience class at Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach, CA on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. The Crystal Cove Conservancy offers classes twice a week through the summer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Instructor Debbie Morines, left, talks with student Kerrie Weaver during the Great Plein Air Art Experience class at Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach, CA on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. The Crystal Cove Conservancy offers classes twice a week through the summer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Elisabeth Chizmar paints with others during the Great Plein Air Art Experience class at Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach, CA on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. The Crystal Cove Conservancy offers classes twice a week through the summer at the “Beaches” cottage. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Students paint the bluffs at Crystal Cove State Park during a Great Plein Air Art Experience class in Newport Beach, CA on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. The Crystal Cove Conservancy offers classes twice a week through the summer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Brandi Pucella and Kim Ketterman, from left, have a laugh during a Great Plein Air Art Experience class at Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach, CA on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. The Crystal Cove Conservancy offers classes twice a week through the summer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Instructor Debbie Morines teaches at the “Beaches” cottage during the Great Plein Air Art Experience class at Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach, CA on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. The Crystal Cove Conservancy offers classes twice a week through the summer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Brandi Pucella works on a painting during the Great Plein Air Art Experience class at Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach, CA on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. The Crystal Cove Conservancy offers classes twice a week through the summer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Visitors to Crystal Cove State Park can take the beauty, or rather a memory of it, home with them … one that they create.

The Crystal Cove Conservancy offers plein air painting classes two days a week during the summer. Plein air painting goes back centuries and the key is it is done outside, in the open air.

Students go home with a color wheel they create and their painting of the landscape.

Instructor Debbie Morines was a student 13 years ago when she began her interest in plein air painting.

She has been the instructor for the last four.

The class has two goals, she said. “To have fun and enjoy the day, and if they produce something they like then it’s a winner of a day.”

Morines said the class is geared toward beginners, even those who have never painted before, but is open to all levels. All supplies are included for the 12 students in each class.

Proceeds from the classes support educational programs at the Crystal Cove Conservancy.

More information on the classes can be found at crystalcove.org/art-class.

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