Escape to the mountains with nationally acclaimed artist and instructor Addison Palmer in this immersive one-day acrylic painting workshop that celebrates the grandeur of summer alpine landscapes. Whether you're new to painting or a seasoned painter, you'll discover how to translate the drama of towering peaks and the serenity of flowing streams onto canvas through expert instruction in composition, color theory, atmospheric perspective, light and shadow, and textural layering techniques. You'll learn to capture the unique quality of mountain light that makes summer landscapes so captivating. Addison's personalized approach means each participant receives tailored guidance that meets them exactly where they are in their artistic journey. His warm, encouraging teaching style creates a supportive studio atmosphere where creativity flourishes and confidence grows.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Addison Palmer
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This is a feel-good, soul-nourishing creative retreat designed to remind you how fun making art can be. It’s about experimenting, getting a little messy, trying new things, and letting joy lead the way. Whether you’re a lifelong artist or someone who just needs a creative reset, you’ll be welcomed exactly as you are — no pressure, no perfection, just encouragement and good vibes. You’ll make your own sketchbooks and fill them with drawings using pencils, pens, markers, and Posca paint pens. We’ll paint with watercolor and acrylics, layering color, and texture, and learning how to let pieces evolve naturally instead of overthinking them. We’ll also get hands-on with sculptural projects —to create tactile, one-of-a-kind pieces that feel earthy, expressive, and totally you.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Allison Luci
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

Take your skills to the next level in this intermediate-to-advanced class focused on watercolor, acrylic, or gouache. Work from your own photo references or still life setups while exploring personal direction, design fundamentals, and new techniques. Ideal for students who have beginner watercolor knowledge or those with experience. Join us and continue building confidence, creativity, and polish in your artwork.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Sue Archer
Cost: $55 per class
Sponsor: The New Studio For The Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

Acrylic pouring is achieved by layering various methods and using different techniques and tools. Pouring is a great way to create interesting texture, patterns, and marbleized effects. I will take you through the process of mixing acrylic paints to pour and the appropriate consistency for different types of pour painting. Experiment with pearlized, iridescent, metallic, and neon paints. In this class we will utilize swiping, straws and other manipulations to create underwater magic. I will pre-draw the turtle on the canvas so no worries about drawing skills. You will customize your painting along the way. Each step you will be given options for how to proceed to make the painting your own and how you prefer.
 
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Cynthia Strouse
Cost: $36 ($30 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

Composition is the structural foundation of the creative process. Learn to build stronger paintings by incorporating the essential principles of design into your work. Develop the ability to recognize and establish rhythmic relationships among two-dimensional shapes, light and dark values, and color harmonies to achieve a unified artistic expression. Instruction emphasizes color, space, and drawing concepts.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Gallagher
Cost: $1,450
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Take your skills to the next level in this intermediate-to-advanced class focused on watercolor, acrylic, or gouache. Work from your own photo references or still life setups while exploring personal direction, design fundamentals, and new techniques. Ideal for students who have beginner watercolor knowledge or those with experience. Join us and continue building confidence, creativity, and polish in your artwork.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Sue Archer
Cost: $55 per class
Sponsor: The New Studio For The Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

Philip Frey and Schoodic Institute are pleased to offer a plein air painting retreat designed specifically for dedicated landscape painters. Held in the picturesque landscapes of Acadia National Park, this retreat will provide an opportunity for participants to hone their skills, gain deeper knowledge of materials, and develop confidence in their creative abilities. Students will learn to capture the essence of the landscape and comprehend the interplay of color and light. Each day will start with an on-site painting session, followed by an early afternoon demonstration and critique. Participants will have ample time to engage in painting, explore the surrounding area, or relax at their leisure. Meals and a daily cocktail hour will be provided.
 
Location: Winter Harbor, Maine
Instructor: Philip Frey
Cost: Commuter $1,195; Residential $1,795
Sponsor: Schoodic Institute
Website, email, (207) 288-1310

This workshop is designed for intermediate and advanced artists ready to elevate their work to the next level. Participants will receive both group instruction and personalized guidance in studio painting. Dee will provide feedback that enhances—rather than alters—their individual style. The focus will be on learning to see value shifts, color temperature, and composition. We'll build arrangements of abstract shapes to create a strong foundation for each painting, with in-depth studies on color temperature and value that will make your work sing with evocative color. Each day begins with short lectures and demonstrations, followed by dedicated painting time during which Dee will work with artists individually. While instruction will be demonstrated in oils, all mediums are welcome.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dee Beard Dean
Cost: $500
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Step into the vibrant world of botanical art with nationally acclaimed artist and instructor Addison Palmer in this captivating one-day acrylic painting workshop dedicated to the beauty of flowers. Perfect for beginners and experienced painters alike, this hands-on class will teach you how to bring blossoms to life on canvas through masterful techniques in color mixing, composition, capturing organic forms, working with light and shadow, and building luminous layers that create depth and dimension. With Addison's attentive, individualized teaching approach, every student receives personalized feedback and guidance designed to nurture their unique artistic voice. You'll leave with a beautiful flower painting, a solid foundation in acrylic techniques, and the creative confidence to continue exploring botanical subjects long after the workshop concludes.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Addison Palmer
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Enjoy open-air painting in beautiful Valley Forge National Historic Park on the National Historic Register. The church site of George Washington’s Continental Army in 1777-1778 and now home to lush scenery and historic architecture! Located in Montgomery County, 35 minutes northwest of Center City Philadelphia, with ample parking and access to restrooms. Working from diverse landscape subject matter, students will learn essential plein air approaches, including color mixing to achieve a sense of light and air, capturing time of day, compositional fundamentals, and sound drawing and painting practices. Instruction is geared toward oil/acrylic painting and pastel drawing/painting. Meeting at the Washington Memorial Chapel parking lot.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Joseph Sweeney
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

No matter what your preferred subject matter or painting style, this class is designed to help you push your work beyond your preconceived notions of what it should be. One-on-one instruction will develop your unique artistic voice while exploring composition, color, space, rhythm, and technique. Work from personal subject matter (objects or reference materials) to learn how to begin a painting with confidence, trust your instincts, embrace spontaneity, and transform observed forms into a personal form of expression. Experimentation and intuitive decision-making are encouraged. Whether you recently started or renewed your painting practice, or are an experienced painter seeking to move beyond your comfort zone, you'll discover new ways to express yourself and find joy in the creative process.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Kassem Amoudi
Cost: $450
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

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

Painting the human form from observation is one of the cornerstones of PAFA's long tradition of rigorous instruction. Working from the nude model in poses of varying lengths, investigate color mixing, proportion, and composition using oil paint as a medium. Focusing on alla prima painting techniques and a limited flesh-tone palette, learn to model the human form through gesture, shape, volume, and temperature – excellent for painted sketches and preparatory studies, foundations for extended work, or an introduction/refresher to figure painting. Intended for all skill levels, this course also offers more advanced students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the language of painting. Instruction will be geared toward oil, but students may draw-only, or use other appropriate media, if they wish.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: David Wilson
Cost: $385
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

$20.00 supply fee paid to instructor. Acrylic pouring is a method for creating beautiful abstract images. The painting process is achieved by layering various methods and using different techniques and tools. Pouring is a great way to create interesting texture, patterns, and marbleized effects. I will take you through the process of mixing acrylic paints to pour and the appropriate consistency for different types of pour painting. Experiment with pearlized, iridescent, metallic, and neon paints. In this class we will use marbles to create a beautiful, colorful abstract painting. You will customize your painting along the way by choosing your color palette, design and personal touches. No prior experience necessary.
 
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Cynthia Strouse
Cost: $36 ($30 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

Join veteran plein air artist Joe Sweeney for a unique opportunity to paint inside one of the oldest rowing clubs in Philadelphia: the Bachelors Barge Club on Boathouse Row. Work from picturesque views of the Schuylkill River with the benefit of full access to the historic building with access to the dock, rain-/sun-sheltered porch, and amenities including restrooms. Experienced guidance will cover tactics for working efficiently outdoors, selecting a composition, color mixing, and capturing time of day and atmospheric effects. Instruction and demonstrations will be geared toward acrylic, oil, and pastel painting, but experienced watercolorists are welcome to participate. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Joseph Sweeney
Cost: $265
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Strong paintings start with a great foundation. Even when you want to break the ‘rules’, it’s important to do so with intention! In this class, we will dive into the core foundations of creating a great painting, including composition, value, and rhythm, and look at how master artists have incorporated these ideas into their work. Through creative observation and practice, we will spend time with each concept, and see how they work together to make an engaging painting.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Nicole Michaud
Cost: $340
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Whether it is portrait, still life, landscape or abstracts, the presence of light against shadow gives the subject form and dimension. Bring your own inspiration to class and with this principle in mind, watch your paintings come to life! Composition and color mixing will be a focus in this class. All mediums and skill levels are welcome!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Stefanie Lieberman
Cost: $585
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Whether you’re picking up a paint brush for the first time or you’re an experienced artist hoping to reconnect with spontaneity, this class is the perfect space to explore and play and find your inner voice. This is a one-on-one approach in order to cultivate the richness of your individuality. Discover the joy of finding your own voice and singing with it. Newly acquired techniques learned in our class will make a big difference. You’ll learn how to start a painting, embrace spontaneity, allow your art to flow freely using your intuition, and how to develop a stronger sense of composition, space, rhythm, and technique. This class is designed to experiment fearlessly, and most importantly, have fun making art!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Kassem Amoudi
Cost: $585
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This 12-week course invites students into the exciting world of abstract mixed media art. Students will explore a wide range of materials, techniques, tools and compositional strategies to create richly layered artwork. Students will receive practical advice, creative prompts, and individualized guidance as they develop their own pieces over time. Students will explore essential topics such as mark-making, texture, layering, contrast, intuitive composition, adding and subtracting, similar but different, balance, and focal points. The course encourages experimentation with tools like brushes, palette knives, color shapers, and unconventional materials. Participants will develop and refine at least one (or more) large cohesive abstract collage artwork, while also creating smaller exploratory pieces throughout the course as part of learning new techniques and materials.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Birgit Raders-Eichinger
Cost: $540
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Working from your own reference material, we will spend each week focusing on a particular aspect of landscape painting. Individual techniques will be held each session in a supportive atmosphere. Syllabus will be provided. Please bring painting materials to the first class. All mediums welcomed.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Bonnie Mettler
Cost: $540
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

In this 12-week class we will explore ways to move beyond blending and over-polishing toward a more semi-abstract approach. With a focus on shape, color, and composition, your work can become more powerful. Bring your current work to develop each week. The instructor will help you strengthen your existing approach and refine your paintings. All subject matter and mediums are welcome- still-life, figure, landscape, et al. There will be weekly discussions or lessons, and the instructor will provide weekly one-on-one guidance for each student. Please note: This is a semi-abstract class. We will begin with representational subject matter while exploring ways to abstract it. All mediums welcome (instructor works in oil).
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Claudia Rilling
Cost: $585
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

In this intermediate-advanced painting course students will work from personal family photographs (historic or contemporary) to cultivate a deeper connection with one's family history, or simply to create a strong painting based on photographs that have been stashed away for years in family archives. We will address issues such as the head, proportion, simplification, and color mixing. Students will work from full color images or in sepia- this will be determined based on the references used. Students work at their own pace and will receive one-on-one instruction. Lessons will be supplemented by discussions of notable figurative painters. All mediums welcome (instructor works in oil).
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Claudia Rilling
Cost: $585
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Explore new techniques and further develop your personal style along with fellow artists and friends in Wayne Art Center's bright and spacious art studios. This professional-style open studio offers a self-directed environment where artists of all levels can hone their skills and explore their creativity. Designed for those seeking a dedicated time and place to create without the constraints of formal instruction, the space fosters independence and artistic growth. These sessions are open to everyone—from absolute beginners to advanced artists—providing a supportive community for anyone looking to focus on their craft.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

In this guided acrylic class, students will all paint the same image using a photo reference while following a step-by-step demonstration by the instructor. Throughout the session, students will explore a variety of subjects. From serene landscapes to vibrant still lifes and intriguing textures, each painting process will help build skills and confidence with every brushstroke. Perfect for beginners or anyone looking to refine their technique in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Nicole Lee
Cost: $250
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Using your own inspiration e.g., photos, tablets, still life objects etc., you will learn different techniques to give your paintings life and energy. Composition, value, color mixing and technique will be the main focuses of this class. All mediums and skill levels are welcome!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Stefanie Lieberman
Cost: $585
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This course is designed to create paintings that we will build from a loose, underpainting and refine as we go along. This class is ideal for those painters who want to break out of the habit of focusing in on details and let the paint create a more expressive piece. Attention will be paid to composition, color mixing, paint application and technique. All skill levels welcome in a fun and relaxing atmosphere!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Stefanie Lieberman
Cost: $585
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Uncovering the connection between your identity and your artwork can be both liberating and inspiring. In this class, we will explore methods designed to help you discover and develop your unique aesthetic and artistic voice. Our focus will be on paint handling, color selection, and composition. You will learn to manage your palette, make intentional color choices, and understand their impact on your work. Play will be encouraged! Music will serve as our muse, providing inspiration as you select your subject matter with guided support. This journey encourages mindfulness and self-discovery, and connects us more deeply with the world around us and ourselves. All skill levels are welcome and valued in this class.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Heidi Techner
Cost: $585
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Discover the joy of painting with the natural world as inspiration. In this gentle, exploratory class, students of all levels are invited to slow down, observe, and draw inspiration from the colors, textures, and rhythms of nature. Using flowers, trees, landscapes, and seasonal changes as starting points, we’ll experiment with playful techniques and creative prompts that spark imagination and personal expression. Rather than striving for perfect results, this course celebrates process over product...finding peace, presence, and delight in the act of painting itself. Along the way, you’ll cultivate a deeper connection to both nature and your own creativity. No prior painting experience is needed—just curiosity, openness, and a willingness to explore.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Heidi Techner
Cost: $585
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Paint on location at Philadelphia's historic Fairmount Park mansions including Laurel Hill Mansion, Ormiston Mansion, Woodford Mansion, Strawberry Mansion and Ridgeland Mansion! Built in the 18th century, these houses feature amazing architecture, beautiful gardens, and scenic views. Each week will feature a different instructor who will demonstrate oil, watercolor/gouache and pastel techniques, reference art historical examples, cover the ins-and-outs of working outdoors and encourage personal expression. Includes a tour of each historic house (optional)! Work with the materials of your choice including watercolor, oil, acrylic and drawing media. Restrooms and free parking will be available.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Various
Cost: $250
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Learn how to paint beautiful landscapes on location! In this class, we will discuss the fundamentals of painting en plein air as well as more advanced topics like drawing, composition, and color theory. The first day will begin with a 30-minute lecture and discussion on the core concepts of plein air painting. This will be followed by a 2.5-hour painting demonstration. After a 1-hour lunch break, students will begin work on their own paintings while Marc gives individualized instruction. Class will end at 4pm, but students may continue to paint if they wish. Days 2 and 3 will follow a similar format. The class will end with a group critique and discussion.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Marc Anderson
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This workshop will focus on the problem of combining the genres of still-life and interior painting into a single picture. We will start by addressing the problem of finding a subject and the practical and formal problems of setting up a still life. We will discuss how to organize and simplify complex information, how to have a unified sense of light throughout the picture and how to perceive color and tone relationships. We will also cover aspects of drawing that will help in the creation of a convincing sense of space. Students are welcome to bring their own objects or work with objects on hand at the center.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Peter Van Dyck
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Find the flow of abstract painting with Cerulean Collective artist Barbara Martin! Advanced painters as well as beginners will discover new ways of creating dynamic abstract work. This will be a fun and engaging day filled with hands-on exercises and painting time using acrylics. We will include breaks (bring your bagged lunch!) for reflection, note-taking and discussion. All art materials will be supplied.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Barbara Martin
Cost: $125
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

An immersive experience creating a collection of abstract paintings! Take a deep dive into the creative process of Abstract Painting with elements of collage and mixed media. Students who have a desire to find their own personal voice and style while learning the fundamentals of painting with acrylics (and mixed media) in an abstract manner, will find many opportunities to flourish in this robust workshop. Jodi Ohl will guide students through a variety of inspiring chats, comprehensive demonstrations, and provide personal guidance daily. Students can expect to work on multiple pieces on both paper and canvas (or hardboard) to develop their own personal style and build on their body of existing work.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Jodi Ohl
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

Working from still life set-ups, learn the various techniques of aqueous media used for creating light, structure, texture, transparency and opacity. While the focus of the class is water-based acrylics, students are welcome to work in pastels or oil if they prefer. Instructor demonstrations and group discussion, as well as individual attention, provided during each class session.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Joseph Sweeney
Cost: $585
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Whether you’re picking up a paint brush for the first time or you’re an experienced artist hoping to reconnect with spontaneity, this class is the perfect space to explore and play and find your inner voice. This is a one-on-one approach in order to cultivate the richness of your individuality. Discover the joy of finding your own voice and singing with it. Newly acquired techniques learned in our class will make a big difference. You’ll learn how to start a painting, embrace spontaneity, allow your art to flow freely using your intuition, and how to develop a stronger sense of composition, space, rhythm, and technique. This class is designed to experiment fearlessly, and most importantly, have fun making art!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Kassem Amoudi
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This course is designed for beginners who want to explore drawing and painting, as well as for more experienced students looking to enhance their college portfolio. Gain confidence experimenting with a variety of mediums, including pencil, charcoal, chalk pastel, watercolor, and acrylic paints. This student-centered class will help build essential knowledge of drawing and painting fundamentals, working from observation, and using imagination to create successful and joyful images. Students will explore different approaches to art, working from unique still-life setups, portrait sessions, and nature in the garden. Photo references, personal experiences, or other sources will also be used. If you're ready to learn solid foundational skills in drawing and painting, join us Tuesdays after school to create art!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Cost: $285
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Create your own collage from painted paper in the online Zoom class with Katie Knoeringer! Learn how to plan and complete an original work of art from pencil sketch to finished collage. This class covers processes for generating ideas, spatial drawing techniques, basic color theory and collage techniques.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Katie Knoeringer
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Students study composition, perspective and shading as they gain exposure to a variety of mediums including graduated pencils, charcoal, pastels, watercolor and acrylic paints. Drawing from still life set-ups, painting in the garden 'plein air' style and self-portraiture are just some of the techniques that may be introduced during this drawing and painting class. This is a 10-week, 1.5 hour, after school class.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Carolyn Kline-Coyle
Cost: $285
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This course is designed for beginners who want to explore drawing and painting, as well as for more experienced students looking to enhance their college portfolio. Gain confidence experimenting with a variety of mediums, including pencil, charcoal, chalk pastel, watercolor, and acrylic paints. This student-centered class will help build essential knowledge of drawing and painting fundamentals, working from observation, and using imagination to create successful and joyful images. Students will explore different approaches to art, working from unique still-life setups, portrait sessions, and nature in the garden. Photo references, personal experiences, or other sources will also be used. If you're ready to learn solid foundational skills in drawing and painting, join us Tuesdays after school to create art!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Annie Gardner
Cost: $380
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Our interest is whether two distinct pictorial genres, the portrait and the nude figure, can challenge each other and make each more interesting. The expressive overlap in portraiture and figure painting has been a central concern in my work for over forty years. To explore this experience the workshop will consist of two all day poses. Participants may use any painting medium (oil, acrylic, pastel, opaque watercolor), but the emphasis will be in pushing the participants’ efforts through changes and revision which may include the model’s change of state from nude to clothed or vice versa. My interest is in “likeness” which is as much involved with gesture, proportion, and spatial context as the disposition of features, complexion, and light.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Scott Noel
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking colors of autumn with nationally acclaimed artist and instructor Addison Palmer in this dynamic one-day acrylic painting workshop celebrating the splendor of fall foliage. Welcoming painters at every skill level—from beginners to seasoned artists—this engaging class guides you through essential techniques for capturing the season's signature warmth on canvas, including dynamic color blending, creating compelling compositions, rendering natural leaf forms, mastering value contrasts, and applying expressive brushwork that brings texture and movement to your painting. Addison's hands-on, personalized teaching style ensures that each participant receives individual attention and customized instruction tailored to their experience and goals.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Addison Palmer
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

In this immersive two-day painting workshop, artist Vlad Duchev emphasizes a practical approach centered on one of the most important elements in painting: composition. Through a series of focused studies, participants will learn how to simplify complex subjects, identify compelling shapes, organize visual relationships, and create compositions that communicate clearly and powerfully. From initial idea to finished painting, emphasis will be placed on editing, design, and the strategic use of suggestion—learning how to leave out the unnecessary so the essential can speak louder. This workshop is designed for painters seeking to strengthen their artistic voice, create more compelling compositions, and develop a deeper understanding of how studies and suggestion work together to elevate their paintings.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Vlad Milan Duchev
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This class focuses on understanding the many expressive ways of starting and finishing a painting in wet paint. Students will learn the excitement of starting with washes of bright transparent colors and building towards opaque color passages. Throughout the course, we will address several fundamental challenges that painters commonly encounter. These include the exploration of composition and the relationship between light and dark areas. Additionally, the course will delve into essential color concepts, providing a foundation for making informed color choices in your paintings. I would like everyone to find within themselves the joy and fearless ability that comes with painting. It is less about the exactness of the subject and more about how you chose to express your subject in paint.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Fred Jackson
Cost: $440
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Geometry has been a source of interest, beauty and creative inspiration for the artist through the ages. Geometric forms, lines and shapes are all around us and can be seen in everything from architecture to plant life to seashells. Learn non-mathematical strategies inspired by geometry designed to enhance your ongoing body of work or be the starting point for a new one with focus on simplifying subject matter, building a unified composition and creating or enhancing a color palette. Work in the medium of your choice: acrylic, gouache or watercolor while working from your own reference photographs, drawings, books or digital imagery. Designed for both beginners and experienced art makers.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Smith
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Puzzled by your art? Feeling lost? Know something's "off" but can't figure it out? This is a terrific opportunity to receive individual attention from one of the Lowcountry's masters, Art Cornell. In this intimate 2-hour session, Art will offer a limited number of one-on-one consultations for all media and subjects—helping you troubleshoot problem areas, refine your vision, and get your work presentation-ready. Whether you're stuck on a piece in progress or starting fresh with a blank canvas and an idea, Art will provide personalized recommendations, tips, and critiques to move your work forward with confidence. 100% of proceeds support ongoing Capital Improvement efforts at Art League Academy.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Art Cornell
Cost: $20
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This two-day workshop explores how artists can use limited palettes, dominant color relationships, and value structure to create landscape paintings with greater mood, atmosphere, and emotional impact. Through demonstrations, discussion, and hands-on painting exercises, students will learn how simplifying color choices can create stronger design, clearer visual statements, and more expressive paintings. Student Level: Open to painters with prior experience (beginner through advanced). This workshop is not intended for absolute beginners with no painting experience. Medium: Oil is preferred; however, painters working in other media are welcome provided they have prior experience in their chosen medium.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Mark Vander Vinne
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This workshop will consider the idea of approaching still life not as a collection of objects, but as a landscape. By shifting focus away from describing things and toward spatial relationships, atmosphere, movement and structure, we will discover new possibilities for observation and interpretation. The goal is not to disguise the still life as a landscape, but to use the visual language of landscape painting to deepen engagement with what is in front of us.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Gillian Wainwright
Cost: $395
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Set on several peaceful acres at the historic Connecticut River Valley Inn in the charming town of Glastonbury, this intimate five-day retreat invites you into a slower, more intentional creative experience—one that reconnects you with play, creative wellness, and the leadership that emerges when you feel truly aligned. Hosted exclusively by Dionne Woods, this refined gathering is designed for women who already create, already lead in some way, and feel a quiet inner shift calling them toward deeper alignment—artistically, personally, and professionally. This is not a retreat about pushing harder or producing more. It is about leading with intention—by reconnecting to joy, curiosity, and the inner creative child who knows how to play.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Dionne Woods
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

Experience the joy of painting outdoors in this inspiring two-day Plein Air workshop with artist and instructor Carol Iglesias! Immerse yourself in the beauty of Hilton Head Island as you learn to capture the ever-changing light, color, and atmosphere of the landscape using oils, acrylics or pastels. Each morning begins with an engaging demonstration and expert insights from Carol, who will share her techniques for quickly and confidently capturing a scene in Plein Air. Throughout the workshop, you’ll discover how to compose a strong painting, define values, identify light sources, establish focal points, and use color to bring your work to life. With personalized instruction and one-on-one feedback, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to paint directly from nature.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Carol Iglesias
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Every strong painting begins with a thoughtful foundation. In this one-day workshop, students will first explore applying transparent patches of vibrant color to the painting surface, creating an energetic underpainting that adds excitement and provides color relationships to build upon throughout the process. From there, we'll establish transparent darks to define the value structure, composition, and overall color harmony. You'll learn to mix a variety of rich, colorful darks while connecting dark shapes to dark shapes and light shapes to light shapes, creating visual pathways that guide the viewer's eye through the painting. Once the design is established, we'll transition to thicker, opaque light passages, bringing the painting to life with clarity, unity, and luminous color.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Fred Jackson
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

During this two-day color class students will learn how to skillfully mix oil paint through guided mixing exercises and how to better apply these ideas to one's own paintings. We will work also with a variety of palettes and explore how each one can influence color relationships and expression in a painting. Through hands-on exercises, demos, and lectures, color will become easier to use and to understand. This class is for any oil painter- advanced beginner to advanced- who would like to become more confident with color control and mixing, and learn to use different palettes and approaches to color theory. Acrylic can be accommodated if one has a “stay-wet” palette set-up.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Claudia Rilling
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Paint from a clothed model to advance your skills in portraiture and figure painting. Explore the proportions and anatomy of the head and neck structures, the definition of features, and how to capture expression and likeness, as well as conveying the gesture and construction of the figure with the incorporation of drapery/clothing. Instruction will cover a variety of topics including glazing, broken color, surface texture, composition and design, the relationship of the figure to the environment, the creation of atmosphere and color harmony, and open- versus closed-form painting. All levels welcome. Instruction will be geared toward oil, but students are welcome to draw-only, or use other appropriate media, if they wish. Note: Tuition includes a $40 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Anthony Ciambella
Cost: $385
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Students may elect to draw or paint, using a variety of mediums. Open to all levels, from beginner to experienced.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Doyle
Cost: $300
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Explore new techniques and further develop your personal style along with fellow artists and friends in Wayne Art Center's bright and spacious art studios. This professional-style open studio offers a self-directed environment where artists of all levels can hone their skills and explore their creativity. Designed for those seeking a dedicated time and place to create without the constraints of formal instruction, the space fosters independence and artistic growth. These sessions are open to everyone—from absolute beginners to advanced artists—providing a supportive community for anyone looking to focus on their craft.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

In this guided acrylic class, students will all paint the same image using a photo reference while following a step-by-step demonstration by the instructor. Throughout the session, students will explore a variety of subjects. From serene landscapes to vibrant still lifes and intriguing textures, each painting process will help build skills and confidence with every brushstroke. Perfect for beginners or anyone looking to refine their technique in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Nicole Lee
Cost: $250
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

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

Learn methods to propel you to the next level. My goal is to show you that with one approach you can paint any subject. Oil paints are preferred, but water-soluble oils, acrylic, or pastel are acceptable. It is helpful to have a basic working knowledge of your chosen medium. Intermediate to advanced.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Chris Kling
Cost: $350
Sponsor: The New Studio For The Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

Paint loose and intuitive in a workshop where color, shape and line come together to make impactful designs inspired by your color palette and your style of brushwork. Students will work on various small color studies (4 x 6 or 6 x 8) at first to determine color palette and choose a favorite composition to paint larger the second half of the day (11x 14 or 16 x 20). This is a day for those who move away from painting objects or landscapes to emphasize feeling and movement.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Abby Ober
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Bring your most cherished memories to life with nationally acclaimed artist and instructor Addison Palmer in this heartfelt one-day acrylic painting workshop where you'll transform your favorite place into a personal work of art. Whether you're a first-time painter or have years of experience, this inspiring class will guide you through essential techniques for capturing the essence of meaningful locations—from beloved vacation destinations and childhood hideaways to treasured hometown views—using expert instruction in composition, color harmony, creating depth and distance, working with natural light, and applying expressive brushwork that conveys both detail and emotion. Addison's thoughtful, one-on-one teaching style ensures that every participant receives customized support tailored to their individual skill level and artistic vision.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Addison Palmer
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Uncork your creativity and discover the mesmerizing art of acrylic paint pouring! Whether you're planning the perfect girls' night out or an unforgettable date night, this relaxing workshop offers the ideal blend of artistic exploration and social fun. Under the guidance of instructor Julie Schroeder, you'll dive into the captivating world of fluid acrylics, experimenting with a variety of pouring techniques—from traditional methods to unique, innovative approaches that create stunning visual effects. Watch in amazement as colors blend, swirl, and bloom into beautiful florals and abstract designs that seem to come alive on the canvas. No experience necessary—just bring your sense of adventure and let the paint (and wine) flow! All participants must be age 21+.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Julie Schroeder
Cost: $60
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Come & have an amazing time creating a beautiful sunflower painting using a palette knife. You'll see just how easy it is to blend colors using a palette knife. We'll be using some really rich and creamy paints to have a lot of textures, interesting effects, (some almost like acrylic pouring), and 3-D effects. You’ll learn how to layer your paint and achieve a 3-dimensional look using a palette knife. We'll be using a variety of palette knife techniques on canvas to create a beautiful floral piece, no experience necessary! Students should bring $20 cash to pay the instructor who will provide all materials needed.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Julie Schroeder
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Join Cerulean Arts Collective artist Leslie Fenton and learn to create a work of art with cut paper and paint! Develop marks and paper matrices in response to the wildly abundant natural world with a simple toolset of paper, paint, ink, X-acto knife, and adhesive. Short demonstrations will be followed by hands-on practice of ideas and techniques which you can extend beyond the workshop.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Leslie Fenton
Cost: $115
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Discover the captivating world of avian art with nationally acclaimed artist and instructor Addison Palmer in this enchanting one-day acrylic painting workshop dedicated to capturing the elegance and vitality of birds on canvas. Designed for painters of all levels—from beginners to experienced artists—this immersive class will teach you how to render the stunning beauty of feathered subjects through expert techniques in observing form and anatomy, mixing vibrant plumage colors, creating realistic textures, understanding light on curved surfaces, and composing dynamic poses that convey movement and personality. You'll master the art of painting intricate feather details, expressive eyes, graceful wings, and natural perches—all while learning to capture the spirit and character that make each bird species so distinctive and mesmerizing.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Addison Palmer
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Get the most out of your studio time or plein air work by keeping things simple, to-the-point, and powerful. Focus on design; the overall abstract relationships in your painting are what matter, and what have the most impact. Your ability to analyze visual data, break it down to its basic components, and record it, is the key to your development as a visual artist. This ability, combined with a lexical/visual language that can help you analyze and convey these ideas, is an essential step in discovering your own personal aesthetic. I'll do a demo of a painting for the ?rst half of each day, with the students painting the second half of the day. Attendees may use oils or acrylics.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Patrick Lee
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Learn methods to propel you to the next level. My goal is to show you that with one approach you can paint any subject. Oil paints are preferred, but water-soluble oils, acrylic, or pastel are acceptable. It is helpful to have a basic working knowledge of your chosen medium. Intermediate to advanced.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Chris Kling
Cost: $350
Sponsor: The New Studio For The Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

Join us for 4 full days of sketching in beautiful Santa Fe! Sarah’s focus is primarily in travel sketching and plein air painting… her sketchbooks tell the story of her wanderlust. Painting and sketching on location is an incredible way to connect with the culture of a place, its architecture, even the food and music! Sarah will be demonstrating in gouache, though you could also use acrylic. Similar techniques apply to acrylics as gouache because it is opaque, so you are welcome to work in either medium. We will work in sketchbooks mostly. But if you prefer larger paper, that’s fine too. Whether you love watercolor, gouache or ink, the principle of travel sketching remains the same: joyful creation!
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Sarah Burns
Cost: $1,690
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-584-6919

Who is this workshop for? If you are a beginner, you’ll be given the opportunity to learn composition, color mixing, mark making and more, all in a welcoming environment. If you are an advanced artist, Jodie will help you create your most honest work through understanding the personal energy you bring to your art, embracing your personal mark making and how you choose color combinations in a more intuitive way. Either way, this workshop will help you and your art advance to a new level in a judgement-free, joy-filled zone.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Jodie King
Cost: $3,300
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

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

Learn to paint looser and more confidently during this four-day workshop with artist Sarah Sedwick. Take a step-by-step approach to alla prima oil painting, from black-and-white studies to brilliant color. Build a beautiful composition with life and movement, and get a new perspective on the still life. Instead of struggling with overworking your paintings, practice stopping sooner to keep the freshness you crave in your work! Explore how limitations can set you free, creating a painting in 20 brushstrokes, and another in 20 minutes. Learn the fundamentals of good design, and walk step-by-step through Sarah’s process, creating a dynamic still life from start to finish! Oils and acrylics are welcome - particularly Open acrylics, that stay wet longer.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Sarah Sedwick
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

Impressionism provides a platform for stretching the boundaries of realism. In this workshop, I will focus on color while introducing some new tools for painting Impressionistic images. While some may go more representational and others more abstract, the basic tenet of impressionism relies on broken color and a heightened sensitivity to color. I am known to rely on the palette knife to help generate highly colored images, but your tools will be of your choosing, be it palette knives, brushes, wedges, or spatchers. My goal is to help you cultivate your skills and use of color as you explore and enhance your personal visual voice (the unique way in which you interpret and reflect what you see in creating your image).
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Cynthia Rosen
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389