Art Workshops, Classes & Retreats

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"Paint Fast: Textures (For Oil & Acrylic Painters)"
June 5 & 6, 2026
 

Instructor Nancy Mitchell will help students loosen up, paint larger, and achieve amazing texture using a wide range of techniques. This workshop for oil and acrylic painters of all levels encourages artists to simplify shapes, work boldly, and build richly tactile surfaces with confident, expressive strokes. Through demonstrations and guided practice, participants will explore multiple approaches to creating depth, contrast, and visual interest through texture—learning how to layer, scrape, scumble, dry brush, and manipulate paint to suggest everything from subtle surface variation to dramatic, dimensional effects. Nancy will share her approach to painting quickly and intuitively, helping artists balance control with spontaneity to keep their work fresh and energized!
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Nancy Mitchell
Cost: $120
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Open Painting in The Medium of Your Choice"
Mondays, July 13-27, 2026
 

Unleash your creativity in a fun, relaxed studio setting where you can paint your way! Choose your favorite medium—oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, or colored pencil—and dive into new projects or bring along unfinished pieces. Enjoy as much one-on-one guidance from Dennis as you like, plus inspiring mini demos, technique tips, and helpful critiques of your work. Whether your style leans toward realism, impressionism, or bold modern expression, this open painting session is your space to explore, create, and grow. This class is appropriate for beginner painters, intermediate painters and advanced painters of any medium. The main purpose of this course is one-on-one assistance from the instructor with whatever you need help with (fixing, composition, specific subjects, etc.).
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dennis Lake
Cost: $150
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Glowing Citrus: An Oil Workshop"
July 16-18, 2026
 

This 3-Day In-Studio workshop is designed for beginner students, intermediate students and advanced students. The instructor has limited the size to ensure that this type of workshop style will be the most beneficial for every student.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Adam Clague
Cost: $550
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"The Alla Prima Still Life in Oils (or Acrylics)"
September 18-20, 2026
 

In this workshop, students will work in the Alla Prima method to paint three still-life paintings, one each day. Alla prima translates to “in the first” and is a wet-into-wet painting technique. Students are encouraged to bring their own props to create meaningful paintings. Each morning, the instructor will do a demonstration, and in the afternoon, students will work on their paintings and receive individual critiques. An emphasis on mark making, painting loosely, expressive color, and making a picture will be discussed. All levels are welcome.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Todd Casey
Cost: $550
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Marks in Motion: Oil & Mixed Media"
October 4 & 5, 2026
 

In this dynamic two-day workshop, you will explore ways to bring energy, movement, and expressive mark-making into your oil paintings. Together we will embrace experimentation and cultivate a spirit of playful discovery. Through a series of guided exercises, you will work with a printmaker’s tool—the brayer— and water mixable oil paint to create bold, unexpected marks in combination with brush work and other miscellaneous mark making tools to layer textures and add energy within your paintings. We will also explore the exciting combination of oil paint with pastel and watercolor to expand your choices in how you approach your painting practice. We will also touch on color theory, and how we choose our palette to create mood and atmosphere.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Anne Strutz
Cost: $350
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Painterly Realism for Oils & Acrylics"
November 6-8, 2026
 

In this 3-day workshop, Karen leads her students through the process of creating dynamic loose paintings that breathe life and reality. Using a photo reference, she will demonstrate the various stages of a painting from initial design to the final strokes. Along with foundational principles, Karen emphasizes the use of large brushes, intuitive measuring and the back-and-forth search of positive and negative shapes to achieve spontaneity and visual interest. This workshop was designed for all levels of oil & acrylic painters.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Karen Wilharm
Cost: $500
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"The Ins & Outs of Painting Plein Air with Oils"
March 17-19, 2027
 

Unlock the secrets to capturing light, color, and atmosphere directly from nature. Whether you're taking your first steps into outdoor painting or seeking to refine your plein air practice, this comprehensive three-day workshop with accomplished artist Lee Copen will transform your approach to working on location. Plein air painting offers unparalleled opportunities to observe and render the nuances of natural light and color—yet the ever-changing conditions and complexity of outdoor scenes can present significant challenges. Through expert instruction, practical demonstrations, and guided painting sessions, Lee will help you develop strategies to simplify the process, work with confidence, and enjoy the plein air experience. All levels of students are welcome; however, some drawing and painting knowledge and experience is important.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Lee Copen
Cost: $550
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Painting Expressive Skies in Oils or Acrylics"
September 30 & October 2, 2027
 

Discover the joy of painting expressive, atmospheric skies in this dynamic workshop designed for artists of all levels. Join award-winning artist and renowned instructor Eric Jacobsen for an inspiring experience tailored to both oil and acrylic painters. Key topics include composition, value, design, choosing a motif, identifying and mixing accurate warm and cool colors, establishing a focal point, and valuable tips and do’s and don’ts for the landscape painter. Special emphasis will be placed on mark making, helping you bring energy and expression to your brushwork. The workshop will feature a combination of informal lectures, instructor demonstrations, and plenty of hands-on painting time, ensuring a well-rounded and engaging learning experience.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Eric Jacobsen
Cost: $550
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


 

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