Art Workshops, Classes & Retreats

Post Your Workshops or Classes
 

"Master Class with Bruce Samuelson: Expressive Figure Drawing"
June 14 & 15, 2025
 

Capture the vitality and gesture of the life model under the guidance of Bruce Samuelson, master draftsman and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) professor Bruce Samuelson. Samuelson's work combines a virtuosity of Old Masters-influenced draftsmanship with elegant abstraction. Hone your own approach to the figure, whether academic or expressive, through Samuelson's individually tailored instruction. Foundational principles of structure, anatomy, form and gesture will be presented through critique, and discussion of master drawings, past and present. Work in the media of your choice including graphite, charcoal, pastel and paint.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Bruce Samuelson
Cost: $395
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"Plein Air Painting at Laurel Hill Cemetery"
Fridays, June 20 - July 18, 2025
 

Learn the basics of painting with watercolor and pastel, ideal for plein air, as you work on location at beautiful and historic Laurel Hill Cemetery featuring terraced grounds, sculpture, and amazing views of the Schuylkill River. The instructor will demonstrate techniques, reference art historical examples, and encourage personal expression. Instruction will be geared to watercolor, but experienced oil/acrylic painters are welcome. Free parking and restrooms available.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Keith Leitner
Cost: $175
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"Life Model Drawing"
June 20, 2025
 

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Plein Air Painting at the Schuylkill Center"
June 21, 2025
 

Celebrate the first day of summer painting on location at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education! The Schuylkill Center is one of first environmental education centers in the country, with 365 acres of fields, forests, ponds and streams, as well as Philadelphia's only wildlife clinic - and amazing location for painters! Instructor Keith Leitner will demonstrate watercolor and pastel techniques, reference art historical examples, cover the ins-and-outs of working outdoors and encourage personal expression. Instruction will be geared towards watercolor, but you are free to the materials of your choice including gouache, oil, acrylic and drawing media. The workshop will include a welcome and orientation by Schuylkill Center staff. Restrooms and free parking available. Don’t’ miss this great opportunity!
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Keith Leitner
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"Open Life Drawing Studio with Model"
Mondays, June 23 - August 11, 2025
 

Work independently in the drawing medium of your choice! This monitored studio is designed to give students the opportunity to work from live nude models without instruction, allowing you time to explore and experiment. Just as any life drawing session the poses will range from short gestures gradually building to longer poses at the end. This is an extraordinary opportunity for you to develop and extend your drawing skills.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Leslie Bowen, Monitor
Cost: $270
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Advanced Drawing & Painting"
Tuesdays, June 24 - August 12, 2025
 

Designed for artists ready to challenge themselves and take their work to the next level, this class is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of the artist's own creative process and sensibility. A variety of subject matter will be explored. Level: Previous drawing and painting experience is recommended.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Karen Fogarty
Cost: $380
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Light & Shadow: Bring Your Paintings to Life"
Tuesdays, June 24 - August 12, 2025
 

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: $380
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Life Model Drawing"
June 29, 2025
 

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Summer Studio/Critique Program"
July 7 - August 15, 2025
 

This six-week on-campus studio-rental program is designed for experienced visual artists and educators who desire constructive feedback on their artwork, as well as the support and interaction of an artistic community. Stimulate your personal artistic growth in your own private PAFA studio through individual weekly critiques from a stellar ensemble of nationally and internationally known artists, including members of PAFA’s acclaimed faculty, as well as discussion, group critiques, and artist studio visits. Tuition covers a private studio in PAFA's Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, weekly critiques (one-on-one; one group critique), and additional group discussions and outings to museums and commercial galleries (scheduled per students' interests), as well as the option to earn 4.0 undergraduate credits or 3.0 graduate credits.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: $1,500
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Photo to Canvas"
Thursdays, July 10 - August 14, 2025
 

Working in oil or pastel from photographic reference, this class is about translating the photographic image onto either canvas or paper. Focusing on color, value and mark making as essential tools, students are encouraged to move a step beyond the restraints of a camera to create a successful and personal work. Discussion will include working with painting mediums and exploring different techniques.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Anne Graham
Cost: $285
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Life Model Drawing"
July 13, 2025
 

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Life Model Drawing"
July 20, 2025
 

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Life Model Drawing"
July 31, 2025
 

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Life Model Drawing"
August 10, 2025
 

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Life Model Drawing"
August 24, 2025
 

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Life Model Drawing"
September 14, 2025
 

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Stroke Up on the Basics of Good Painting in Pastels"
September 17-19, 2025
 

The classes will focus on Southern landscapes using references of the students' choice or those of the instructor. Discussion and demos will provide students with knowledge that can be used to improve their choice of subject and application of composition principles. Accuracy in shape-making and displaying depth through perspective and value will be stressed. Pastel instruction will focus on the application of the pastel to the sanded surface support used for pastel painting. Emphasis will be on underpainting, stroke making, optical color mixing, value-produced edges, and layering of strokes. Preservation of the work, transportation, and framing will be discussed and demonstrated. Pastel is a very permanent medium when applied and handled intelligently. All of this will be discussed in class.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Gary Baughman
Cost: $180
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Finding Light and Inspiration in Your Photo References in Pastel"
October 23-25, 2025
 

In this workshop, beginning to advanced students will explore ways to create unique, personal works of art based on their own reference photos. Participants will learn how to find dynamic compositions with strong focal points and push color to enhance their vision. We’ll step away from the confinement of exact “copying” of reference materials and move toward finding our own interpretation of a scene. Jill Stefani Wagner received a B.F.A. in painting from The University of Michigan School of Art. She owned an award-winning advertising firm in Ann Arbor MI, before “seeing the light” and becoming a full-time artist. For more information, visit jillwagnerart.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Jill Stefani Wagner
Cost: $650 Museum members/ $700 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372


"Go Bold! Painting Dynamic Landscapes in Pastel, Oil or Acrylic"
May 16 & 17, 2026
 

Do you often wonder how to make your paintings stand out? This workshop will explore ways to make more compelling and powerful visual statements, focusing on the landscape for inspiration and subject matter. The workshop will consist of demos, painting exercises, group discussions, positive critiques and lots of hands-on individual attention. Oil and Acrylic painters are welcome to attend; however, demos will be done in pastel and then Mayfield will work individually with you in your medium. Make your paintings more expressive and visually interesting from start to finish, from choosing subject matter, editing reference photos, simplifying and improving design and composition, using dynamic value contrasts, pushing color schemes, and using color temperature to create mood and emotion.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Susan Mayfield
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Painting the Pastel Landscape: Tools, Tips & Techniques"
October 23-25, 2026
 

Join us for the "Painting the Pastel Landscape: Tools, Tips & Techniques" workshop with the renowned artist Eve Miller. This exceptional event offers a unique opportunity to delve into Eve's innovative approach to capturing the beauty of landscapes with pastels. Participants will gain valuable insights into establishing correct values, while the workshop emphasizes mastering color temperature, composition, and mark-making. Each day features engaging demonstrations, and you'll receive personalized, one-on-one instruction to refine your skills. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a passionate beginner, this workshop promises to enhance your artistic journey and elevate your pastel landscapes to new heights. Don't miss the chance to learn from a true master—secure your spot today!
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Eve Miller
Cost: $500
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


 

Promote your art workshops, classes & retreats!

Advertising Options