Artist Profile: Kathleen Dunphy
Featured Instructor
Masterfully capturing the beauty of nature, nationally acclaimed artist Kathleen Dunphy paints with a passion that radiates her reverence for the natural world.
Nearly two decades after American Artist Magazine recognized her as one of its Top Ten Emerging Artists, Kathleen's star continues rising through her devotion to her career, participation in distinguished national exhibitions, and sharing of her abilities as a popular instructor to students of all levels.
Kathleen has earned signature status with the Society of Animal Artists, the California Art Club, Oil Painters of America, the American Impressionist Society, Laguna Plein Air Painters, the American Society of Marine Artists, and Artists for Conservation. In 2012, she was honored with being asked to join the prestigious Plein Air Painters of America, where she served as vice president from 2016-2017. In 2022, the Southeastern Wildlife Expo invited her to participate in their annual event as Guest Artist, and in 2024 she returned to the show with the distinction of being selected as Featured Artist for this renowned wildlife art exhibit. Additionally, Kathleen has been an on-stage presenter at the highly acclaimed and much-anticipated annual Plein Air Convention several times.
Her awards are many and include Best of Show from the American Impressionist Society; Award of Excellence from Oil Painters of America; accolades at the Federal Duck Stamp Competition; Grand Prize at the Acadia Invitational Exhibition in Bar Harbor, Maine; and honorary participation in multiple juried shows such as Birds in Art, Arts for the Parks, Western Visions, and the California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibitions. Her highest honor to date came when the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum purchased her painting “The Flotilla” for inclusion in its permanent collection.
Her work continues to receive coverage in respected publications such as Plein Air Magazine, The Artist Magazine, The American Society of Marine Artists News and Journal, Art of the West, Southwest Art, Western Art & Architecture, and Western Art Collector. A popular and respected teacher, Kathleen conducts 2 to 3 sold-out workshops per year and has produced 2 popular videos explaining her painting process
Kathleen owned a floral design business for several years while traveling the world while her husband was in the Air Force. Once back in the U.S., she focused on developing her fine art career. In 2000, Kathleen was awarded a scholarship at the renowned Academy of Art University in San Francisco, an institution where she maintains strong ties.
Kathleen now lives in the pristine Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California. An avid outdoors person and hiker, she relishes painting several times a month "en plein air" with her sidekick and canine companion, Ellie.
Nearly two decades after American Artist Magazine recognized her as one of its Top Ten Emerging Artists, Kathleen's star continues rising through her devotion to her career, participation in distinguished national exhibitions, and sharing of her abilities as a popular instructor to students of all levels.
Kathleen has earned signature status with the Society of Animal Artists, the California Art Club, Oil Painters of America, the American Impressionist Society, Laguna Plein Air Painters, the American Society of Marine Artists, and Artists for Conservation. In 2012, she was honored with being asked to join the prestigious Plein Air Painters of America, where she served as vice president from 2016-2017. In 2022, the Southeastern Wildlife Expo invited her to participate in their annual event as Guest Artist, and in 2024 she returned to the show with the distinction of being selected as Featured Artist for this renowned wildlife art exhibit. Additionally, Kathleen has been an on-stage presenter at the highly acclaimed and much-anticipated annual Plein Air Convention several times.
Her awards are many and include Best of Show from the American Impressionist Society; Award of Excellence from Oil Painters of America; accolades at the Federal Duck Stamp Competition; Grand Prize at the Acadia Invitational Exhibition in Bar Harbor, Maine; and honorary participation in multiple juried shows such as Birds in Art, Arts for the Parks, Western Visions, and the California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibitions. Her highest honor to date came when the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum purchased her painting “The Flotilla” for inclusion in its permanent collection.
Her work continues to receive coverage in respected publications such as Plein Air Magazine, The Artist Magazine, The American Society of Marine Artists News and Journal, Art of the West, Southwest Art, Western Art & Architecture, and Western Art Collector. A popular and respected teacher, Kathleen conducts 2 to 3 sold-out workshops per year and has produced 2 popular videos explaining her painting process
Kathleen owned a floral design business for several years while traveling the world while her husband was in the Air Force. Once back in the U.S., she focused on developing her fine art career. In 2000, Kathleen was awarded a scholarship at the renowned Academy of Art University in San Francisco, an institution where she maintains strong ties.
Kathleen now lives in the pristine Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California. An avid outdoors person and hiker, she relishes painting several times a month "en plein air" with her sidekick and canine companion, Ellie.
Dunphy Painting Supplies & Materials List
Plein Air Workshop Supply List
1. My teaching in this workshop will emphasizes the use of a limited palette, so it is critical that you have the exact brands and colors listed here. Colors vary widely between brands. These colors can be ordered on line at the suppliers listed below if you can’t find them in you local art supply store.
Oil Paint: Titanium White – any brand
Cadmium Yellow Lemon – Gamblin OR Cadmium Yellow Light - Rembrandt
Permanent Red Medium – Rembrandt
Ultramarine Blue Deep –Rembrandt
Naples Yellow Deep – Rembrandt
Cold Grey – Rembrandt
2. Portable easel: French easel, Easy-L, ArtPro, etc.
3. Brushes: I use Robert Simmons Signet Bristle Brushes: flat bristle brushes, one each, size 8, 10, 12; and round bristle brushes, one each, size 2, 3. Also one small round brush for drawing the composition onto the canvas. I also use Rosemary Brushes –Dunphy Brush Set available online here:
The Kathleen Dunphy Brush Set | Rosemary & Co Artist Brushes (rosemaryandco.com)
4. Palette Knife – 3-4” long, tapered blade
5. Odorless Turpentine (Gamsol) PLEASE!! NO REGULAR TURPENTINE OR MEDIUMS!!!!
6. Spill-proof brush washer (portable container for Gamsol)
7. Acrylic Primed Canvas or Linen Panels – We will be painting lots of small studies--use the best quality you can afford but don’t let the cost of the panels inhibit you and make you feel like you’re wasting lots of money on supplies. Be sure to get acrylic primed as we will be toning the canvases with acrylic paint before we paint with oils (wait to do this until you get to class—I will supply the acrylic). I use Mako (https://mako.supply/)
but there are several other suppliers out there. Centurion Linen Panels are affordable and good quality, available at www.jerrysartarama.com. You’ll need a total of about 6 to 8 panels, 6x8 up to 12x16 max size.
8. Easel Umbrella- important for shade! I use this one made by Easy L: Artwork Essentials
9. Paper towels
10. Plastic grocery bags for garbage
11. Sketch book – small – 5x7 or 8x10
12. Pencil or magic marker
13. Small mirror – make-up compact works well, about 3-4”
14. Dark- colored clothing (bright colors reflect onto the canvas and affect the colors you’re painting) Bring an extra layer! You never know what the weather will do…
15. Wet painting carrier. Raymar makes the best on the market: Wet Painting Carriers – RAYMAR (raymarart.com)
Recommended Reading:
Sketching from Square One to Trafalgar Square by Richard Scott
Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color by Kevin MacPherson
Alla Prima by Richard Schmid
Any books about Sorolla, Sargent, or Zorn
Suppliers:
www.dickblick.com, www.jerrysartarama.com, Rosemary & Co Artist Brushes (rosemaryandco.com)
1. My teaching in this workshop will emphasizes the use of a limited palette, so it is critical that you have the exact brands and colors listed here. Colors vary widely between brands. These colors can be ordered on line at the suppliers listed below if you can’t find them in you local art supply store.
Oil Paint: Titanium White – any brand
Cadmium Yellow Lemon – Gamblin OR Cadmium Yellow Light - Rembrandt
Permanent Red Medium – Rembrandt
Ultramarine Blue Deep –Rembrandt
Naples Yellow Deep – Rembrandt
Cold Grey – Rembrandt
2. Portable easel: French easel, Easy-L, ArtPro, etc.
3. Brushes: I use Robert Simmons Signet Bristle Brushes: flat bristle brushes, one each, size 8, 10, 12; and round bristle brushes, one each, size 2, 3. Also one small round brush for drawing the composition onto the canvas. I also use Rosemary Brushes –Dunphy Brush Set available online here:
The Kathleen Dunphy Brush Set | Rosemary & Co Artist Brushes (rosemaryandco.com)
4. Palette Knife – 3-4” long, tapered blade
5. Odorless Turpentine (Gamsol) PLEASE!! NO REGULAR TURPENTINE OR MEDIUMS!!!!
6. Spill-proof brush washer (portable container for Gamsol)
7. Acrylic Primed Canvas or Linen Panels – We will be painting lots of small studies--use the best quality you can afford but don’t let the cost of the panels inhibit you and make you feel like you’re wasting lots of money on supplies. Be sure to get acrylic primed as we will be toning the canvases with acrylic paint before we paint with oils (wait to do this until you get to class—I will supply the acrylic). I use Mako (https://mako.supply/)
but there are several other suppliers out there. Centurion Linen Panels are affordable and good quality, available at www.jerrysartarama.com. You’ll need a total of about 6 to 8 panels, 6x8 up to 12x16 max size.
8. Easel Umbrella- important for shade! I use this one made by Easy L: Artwork Essentials
9. Paper towels
10. Plastic grocery bags for garbage
11. Sketch book – small – 5x7 or 8x10
12. Pencil or magic marker
13. Small mirror – make-up compact works well, about 3-4”
14. Dark- colored clothing (bright colors reflect onto the canvas and affect the colors you’re painting) Bring an extra layer! You never know what the weather will do…
15. Wet painting carrier. Raymar makes the best on the market: Wet Painting Carriers – RAYMAR (raymarart.com)
Recommended Reading:
Sketching from Square One to Trafalgar Square by Richard Scott
Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color by Kevin MacPherson
Alla Prima by Richard Schmid
Any books about Sorolla, Sargent, or Zorn
Suppliers:
www.dickblick.com, www.jerrysartarama.com, Rosemary & Co Artist Brushes (rosemaryandco.com)
Both Thomas Caleb Goggans and Kathleen Dunphy have official Artist Brush Sets with Rosemary & Co., which will be available with 10% Discount at the Workshop.