If you’ve never drawn before, or your skills are a little rusty, then this class is for you. Learn to draw what you see with confidence. Work from still life arrangements, interior spaces, and the human figure to master the drawing elements: shape, contour line, composition, light and shadow, texture and perspective. Instruction will guide students through sight-drawing and measuring techniques, use of materials, shading methods, and ways of defining form and space. This course is excellent as a foundation for future study, including for painting and other disciplines. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Cost: $485
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Dive into the world of sea turtles and discover the joy of drawing these magnificent ocean wanderers! Join longtime favorite instructor Joyce Nagel for a half-day workshop where you'll learn to capture the graceful curves, intricate shell patterns, and serene presence of sea turtles using charcoal and graphite techniques. Whether you're picking up a pencil for the first time or you're a seasoned sketcher, Joyce will guide you through every step—from understanding basic forms and proportions to adding depth, texture, and movement that brings your drawings to life. You'll explore shading techniques that create dimension, learn how to render the distinctive patterns of turtle shells, and discover tricks for capturing that sense of weightless gliding through water.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Joyce Nagel
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Unleash your imagination in this playful one-day workshop where mythology meets nature! Instructor Samantha Dwornikoski will guide you through the art of fantasy illustration as you mix and match an exciting assortment of mythological creatures with animals and natural elements to create your own unique fantastical being. Whether you randomly select your references or carefully choose your favorites, you'll be encouraged to tap into your creative thinking and let your imagination run wild. Work in the medium of your choice or try the underdrawings and layering method that will be demonstrated during class. Perfect for artists who love to experiment and think outside the box—no prior fantasy drawing experience needed, just bring your sense of adventure!
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Samantha Dwornikoski
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

Students will work on four different studies of fruits using Prism Colored Pencils. Learning by example, the students will complete four drawings by blending colors, shading and following reflection of light patterns. Become a better painter when learning basic shading and blending of colors! Bristol Paper will be provided.
 
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Joan Guerriero
Cost: $36 ($30 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

Using Prism Colored Pencils, students will draw and color images on Bristol Paper (11x14). Class is an introduction to illustrated art, as well as a preliminary exercise before advancing to paints. Students will learn how to interpret light and shading to a subject. A detailed end result is obtained when following instruction and using visual senses.
 
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Joan Guerriero
Cost: $36 ($30 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

To achieve a strong foundation in any medium, one must first learn the basics of drawing - line, form value and composition. Through a series of fun and challenging exercises, the student will become familiar with how to "draw what you see." The importance of positive and negative shapes, comparative measurements and composition will be demonstrated. This class is beneficial for the absolute beginner or the artist who is interested in sharpening their skills.
 
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Katie Cassidy
Cost: $228 ($190 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

Late September is the year's most generous moment for the sketchbook artist. Leaves are at the height of their color, seed heads are heavy and ripe, berries glow against darkening stems, and the first hints of bare branch architecture are just beginning to show. The landscape is abundant, specific, and fleeting — exactly the conditions a field journal was made for. In this hands-on workshop, you will build a field journal page dedicated to autumn's peak, working in graphite, Micron pen, and watercolor. Learn to observe the colors, textures, and forms of the season with fresh attention, and develop techniques for recording botanical subjects at their most expressive moment. All skill levels welcome.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Margaret Saylor
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Step into the enchanting world of fantasy art and discover how to create illustrations that tell powerful visual stories! In this immersive workshop, instructor Samantha Dwornikoski will guide you through the rich history of fantasy art, exploring its enduring importance and how it continues to shape the media we love today. You'll dive deep into the essential elements of fantasy illustration—learning about motifs, visual language, style, and tone—while reviewing key fundamentals including anatomy, shape, lighting, and rendering techniques. You'll learn Samantha's signature underdrawing and color wash layering method to build a complete, polished illustration from start to finish. But the biggest emphasis? Creativity. This course is designed to push your imaginative boundaries and help you develop your unique artistic voice.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Samantha Dwornikoski
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Discover a deeply intuitive, painterly approach to drawing. In this workshop, you will learn the art of subtractive charcoal drawing, covering your paper in dark tones and using erasers to literally sculpt the light. Working from photographs, we will demystify the landscape, exploring how to simplify dense foliage, sculpt tree trunks, and create atmospheric perspective using value rather than outline. This class will be fun and a bit messy. Ideal for painters looking to strengthen their tonal compositions and illustrators looking for a more initiative drawing style.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Claire Haik
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

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

In this full-day workshop, you will build a richly annotated sketchbook spread dedicated to the fungi and flora of the autumn woodland, working in graphite, Micron pen, and watercolor. In the days before class, forage your neighborhood, yard, or a local park for anything that catches your eye — mushrooms, seed pods, leaves, lichen, whatever the season offers — and bring your finds to work from directly. A variety of specimens will also be provided. Learn to observe the distinctive shapes, textures, and tones of mushrooms and their habitat with an artist's eye, and develop techniques for capturing everything from the velvet surface of a cap to the delicate architecture of gills, pores, and stems. All skill levels welcome.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Margaret Saylor
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Think drawing is a "gift" that has to come "naturally"? You might be surprised to learn it's actually a skill like any other—and Chris Dreyer is here to show you how easily it can be learned. Drawing is as much about learning how to see and think about form and space as it is about technique. Through this process, you'll also gain a deeper understanding of your subject. As you progress through the exercises, you'll develop a keener eye for the forms you're observing and become more skillful in representing them. Chris will focus on drawing subjects from the island, helping you connect with your surroundings in a whole new way. This course is for beginner to intermediate level students.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Chris Dreyer
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Unlock the hidden potential of colored pencils. Colored pencils are so familiar that it's easy to overlook their remarkable possibilities—but artist-grade, colored pencils are capable of creating breathtakingly realistic artwork! Join accomplished guest instructor Lee Copen for this engaging workshop designed for artists of all skill levels. You'll explore essential colored pencil techniques and processes while creating a beautiful, detailed drawing of a bird. Lee will guide you step-by-step, sharing professional methods for layering, blending, and building depth and dimension in your work. Bring your colored pencils and a willingness to explore this versatile medium in a whole new way! 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: $180
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Colored pencil is the ideal medium for creating stunning art, all in a portable, non-toxic, neat form. Kristy is the author of two colored pencil techniques books and is featured in four instructional films. She is a positive, supportive teacher who welcomes students with all levels of experience. With an emphasis on floral and landscape art with waxy (non-watercolor) pencils, students will create paintings (as these works are aptly called) on both white and colored surfaces, from velvety to sanded. The effects can range from soft and delicate to densely pigmented. Kristy offers demonstrations, personal attention, and a wealth of information. Enjoy free materials, such as papers, boards, blenders, and pencils. Welcome to a weekend of colored pencil inspiration!
 
Location: Valparaiso, Indiana
Instructor: Kristy A. Kutch, C.P.S.A.
Sponsor: Art Barn School of Art
Website, email, 219-462-9009