Schoolhouse for Art

Spend a day painting outdoors in the landscape of Russborough at this one-day Plein Air Festival with the Schoolhouse for Art.

Open to everyone from complete beginners to experienced artists, the festival is an opportunity to bring your easel, paints or simply a sketchbook and find your own corner of the estate to work from. Across the day, artists can take inspiration from Russborough’s architecture, trees, statuary, gardens and the wider views towards the Wicklow Mountains.

The day is designed to be as much about enjoying the experience of painting outdoors as creating a finished work. Participants can work at their own pace, meet other artists and pick up ideas and advice through live demonstrations and Q&A sessions with experienced plein air artists, covering areas such as composition, technique, colour and working with natural light.

Join artist Ed Reynolds for a comprehensive series of oil painting workshops set within the inspiring surroundings of Russborough House.

Designed specifically for beginners and those returning to painting, this programme gently demystifies the process of working in oils — from understanding materials and mixing colour, to mastering brushwork, composition, and layering techniques.

Through clear demonstrations and supportive individual guidance, you’ll gain the confidence to create expressive, balanced paintings while developing your own visual language.

Each session builds progressively, allowing participants to move from foundational exercises to more complex compositions in a relaxed and creative environment.