Art Workshops, Classes & Retreats

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"Vibrant Landscapes in Gouache"
June 14, 2025
 

This class will focus on color theory using a limited palette of colors to create two or more dramatic landscapes from your own images. Discover the best ways to apply gouache working from the larger shapes down to the details. We will be working smaller than 8 x 10. The instructor will provide demonstrations, instruction on color mixing and application. Discover more about gouache as a great medium for studies for larger pieces and for working "en plein air".
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Abby Ober
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Extension Painting Over the Line"
June 16, 2025
 

Take your work to the next level under the mentoring guidance of artist/critic Kassem Amoudi. In this live focused open studio environment, all levels of students will discover how to enhance their own visual language and interests exploring new ways of painting. Expert instruction and advice from the instructor will push students to explore new possibilities and work more intuitively, allowing unplanned marks and passages to become artistic breakthroughs. Examples from contemporary and modern art will be examined to promote a broader understanding of the abstract qualities of space, line and color. Advance beyond confined lines and hard edges to a more liberated way of painting. It does not matter What you paint. It is the How you paint it.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Kassem Amoudi
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Black & White Landscape Drawing"
June 16-18, 2025
 

Students in this workshop will be familiarized with the fundamental principles of drawing, enhancing their ability to see the basic shapes, forms, and values that make up the landscape. Participants will learn to “read” a photograph to accurately discern its weaknesses and to discover its hidden artistic gems. By integrating nature’s inherent proportions into the artistic process, students will receive the rudimentary essentials of composing a masterful landscape drawing. With only a few basic tools used by master artists for centuries, each student will be instructed to properly design, construct, draw, and render a realistic, even a photographic, image of their chosen landscape on paper.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Robert H. Way
Cost: $400
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Botanical Drawing and Painting"
June 23-27, 2025
 

Explore flowers and other natural forms, beginning with line and value drawing and progressing to full-color rendering in watercolor and mixed media.  Topics will include sighting techniques, line quality, tone and value, creation of depth, composition, texture, and basic color. All levels welcome. Tuition includes a $15 materials fee for floral subjects, provided.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Linda Gist
Cost: $465
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Painting Over the Line"
Mondays, June 23 - August 11, 2025
 

Take your work to the next level under the mentoring guidance of artist/critic Kassem Amoudi. In this live focused open studio environment, all levels of students will discover how to enhance their own visual language and interests exploring new ways of painting. Expert instruction and advice from the instructor will push students to explore new possibilities and work more intuitively, allowing unplanned marks and passages to become artistic breakthroughs. Examples from contemporary and modern art will be examined to promote a broader understanding of the abstract qualities of space, line and color. Advance beyond confined lines and hard edges to a more liberated way of painting. It does not matter What you paint. It is the How you paint it.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Kassem Amoudi
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Drawing and Painting"
Tuesdays, June 24 - August 12, 2025
 

This 8-week course is for beginners who want to explore drawing and oil painting, and for more experienced artists who want to improve their artistic skills. Using still-life compositions, students will learn about form, space, design, value, and color through working observationally. In addition, the instructor will introduce a variety of artists who are representative of the lessons provided and conduct in-process and final critiques for a helpful synopsis of the student’s progress and ideas. The class will be broken up into two weeks of drawing and four weeks of painting, but the student is open to work in any medium if they prefer.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Annie Thompson
Cost: $320
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


"Art From The Heart: Abstract Painting"
Wednesdays, June 25 - August 13, 2025
 

Painting is about expression. Free your creative juices no matter how little or how much experience you have because there are always endless possibilities to discover. Whether you paint abstract, figure, or still life, you can add expression to your art by using colors you were afraid to use, making silly marks, and doing things with the innocence of a child. No wrongs or rights, just having fun and letting go. If you want to learn how to express your inner thoughts and sharpen your skills at the same time, this is a great class for you. We will talk about composition, acrylic techniques, space, and rhythm while having a really good time doing it.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Sandi Neiman Lovitz
Cost: $380
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Draw to Paint"
Wednesdays, June 25 - August 13, 2025
 

This class will explore the essential relationships of shape, proportion, and value within the condition of light bathing subject matter. The painterly medium of charcoal contributes significantly to understanding the practice of building a painting. Drawing in line and moving to masses, students strive to draw fluidly with concentration on value and proportion, identifying a process that is particularly suited for training painters. The course begins with shorter exercises, as detail-oriented seeing emerges in still life drawing after students learn to prioritize the order of the masses.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Sharon Henderson
Cost: $320
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Fundamentals of Oils"
Wednesdays, June 25 - August 13, 2025
 

Students explore all aspects of working with oils, with a strong emphasis on composition, color mixing and various painting techniques. Individual instruction provided in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Ideal for beginners as well as more experienced artists.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Stefanie Lieberman
Cost: $380
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Art From The Heart: Abstract Painting"
Thursdays, June 26 - August 14, 2025
 

Painting is about expression. Free your creative juices no matter how little or how much experience you have because there are always endless possibilities to discover. Whether you paint abstract, figure, or still life, you can add expression to your art by using colors you were afraid to use, making silly marks, and doing things with the innocence of a child. No wrongs or rights, just having fun and letting go. If you want to learn how to express your inner thoughts and sharpen your skills at the same time, this is a great class for you. We will talk about composition, acrylic techniques, space, and rhythm while having a really good time doing it.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Sandi Neiman Lovitz
Cost: $320
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Painting – Discovering Your Artistic Voice"
Thursdays, June 26 - August 14, 2025
 

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


"Gouache Painting Workshop"
June 28, 2025
 

Learn the fundamentals of painting with gouache, an opaque watercolor paint! Gouache is portable, fast-drying, and an easy-to-clean-up alternative to oils – great for travel or limited working time and space. Ideal for painters of all levels from beginning to experienced. Learn to develop paint application techniques for fluidity and control, with opaque and wash applications; gain the ability to mix color and to predict its effects; recognize and promote gouache’s characteristics and learn how to problem-solve with the material; learn to incorporate principles of line, value, color and space for a greater command of the medium. Work from still life to learn how to representationally depict a variety of subject matter and to recognize abstract concepts.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Allison Syvertsen
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"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


"Observational Drawing Practices"
Tuesdays, July 8 - August 12, 2025
 

Strengthen and hone your foundational drawing skills through a series of one- and two-day projects. Topics of concern will be design, structure of space, perspective, and light and shade. Subjects will include interior space, single objects and still life arrangements, and the life model. All levels from beginner to advanced are welcome. Tuition includes a $15 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: John Horn
Cost: $310
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Understanding Perspective in Watercolor"
Fridays, July 11 - August 15, 2025
 

In this fast paced and fun workshop, we will explore the importance of understanding linear, atmospheric and solar perspectives in our work. Dramatically improve your paintings with this deep dive into how to use the atmosphere, sunlight and one- and two-point perspective to add drama, interest and credibility to our work. You don’t want to miss this one!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Mick McAndrews
Cost: $475
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Painting with Texture"
July 11-12, 2025
 

Join Anne Hebebrand for a two-day Cold Wax and Oil workshop, designed to coincide with a summer exhibition of cold wax artists at the Cynthia Winings Gallery in Blue Hill, Maine. This is a unique opportunity to explore the luminous, textural qualities of cold wax painting while experiencing an inspiring gallery setting. Learn cold wax techniques including layering, veiling, mark-making, and creating texture. Explore composition, contrast, color mixing, and editing strategies. Discussion of process, intention, demonstrations and plenty of studio time are all part of this two day dive into creativity. Whether you are new to cold wax or looking to deepen your practice, this workshop welcomes artists of all experience levels.
 
Location: Blue Hill, Maine
Instructor: Anne Hebebrand
Cost: $350
Sponsor: Anne Hebebrand
Website, email, 857-930-9849


"Figure Painting: The Extended Pose"
Saturdays, July 12 - August 16, 2025
 

Paint from a life model in a multi-week-pose format to develop and refine your figure painting compositions. Extended poses will allow students to adjust and resolve issues of surface, color, and composition. 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, disrupted realism, 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. For preparatory or alternative study, see also Figure Painting: Alla Prima and the Limited Palette. Note: It is not a required prerequisite for The Extended Pose.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: David Wilson
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"3D: Wood Cubes & Collage Creations"
July 16-18, 2025
 

Welcome to the 3D Art Class: Wood Cubes and Collage Creations, where students will explore the intersection of sculptural forms and collage techniques using wood cubes. The class objectives include learning 3D art and design fundamentals, developing skills in wood cube construction, and creating dynamic collages with mixed media. Students will be supplied with wood cubes & assorted collage materials. Students are encouraged to bring collage images to use in their work. Personal experimentation and expression will be encouraged. All levels of artistic abilities are suitable for this class, even beginners.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Rose Cofield
Cost: $150
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Studio Watercolor Workshop"
July 21-24, 2025
 

In this workshop, our main focus will be on the art of capturing and portraying light. Light plays a vital role in bringing depth, atmosphere, and realism to any artwork. Participants will have the opportunity to explore a range of techniques that can be employed to effectively represent light, including glazing, wet-on-wet, and drybrush techniques.
 
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $675
Sponsor: Palette Productions
Website, email


"Introduction to Painting"
Tuesdays, July 22 - August 12, 2025
 

Working from still life, this class seeks to give students a clear approach to their palette by focusing on the building blocks of color such as value, color temperature, and hue. By the end of class, students should be able to control the colors on their palette to recreate what they’re observing in the real world.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Nathan Durnin
Cost: $320
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Composing Your Still Life Workshop"
July 27, 2025
 

The foundation of a good drawing or painting is "composition," or the arrangement of shapes, lines, textures and colors. Learn to create effective and pleasing compositions in this instructive and fun drawing workshop with artist, educator and Cerulean Collective member Alyce Grunt! Alyce will guide you through the process of making an adjustable viewfinder, then to practice seeing a still life arrangement as a collection of shapes that fit together like a puzzle. Learn to make “thumbnail” sketches – small, quick drawings – to determine the ‘must-haves’ and what you can leave behind in your composition. Take your favorite thumbnail sketches and make a drawing or two based on your most satisfying compositional arrangements.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Alyce Grunt
Cost: $75
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"Navigating the Three Planes of Vision in Watercolor"
August 1-3, 2025
 

Join us for an inspiring workshop where we'll dive into an exciting variety of subjects, from bustling streetscapes and serene boats to breathtaking landscapes. You'll discover how to tackle complex scenes with ease, focusing on capturing their true essence without getting overwhelmed by details. Through bold, expressive brushwork and vibrant watercolor techniques, you’ll learn to infuse your paintings with life and energy, confidently portraying the character and mood of your subjects. Sign up by May 15th, 2025 is required.
 
Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $560-610
Sponsor: Falmouth Art Center
Website, email, 508.540.3304


"Exploring Abstract Painting"
Wednesdays, August 6-20, 2025
 

This class is for all beginners who would like to explore abstract painting for the first time. We will look at colors, lines, textures to augment each work including composition, balance and presentation. You can bring paints you are familiar with or we can supply you with some liquid acrylic paint and brushes for a small fee. Please bring small canvases or preferably watercolor paper acquired at Walmart. I will be using heavy acrylic paint and 140lb watercolor paper with palette knives, brushes, and various putty tools. Again, this is for anyone wanting to approach abstract work for the first time or get a better understanding of the process involved in bringing each work to completion.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Art Cornell
Cost: $150
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Suggest Rather than Render"
August 7-9, 2025
 

This three-day workshop will focus on painting “alla prima” (all at once) as well as developing greater skills of observation, simplification and quickly painting “wet on wet”. Most importantly, we will discuss how thoughtfully and purposely “suggesting” and editing the elements of a composition – rather than simply “rendering” every detail of your reference – will create a stronger, more compelling and “painterly” painting. Graziano is an award winning, nationally exhibited artist whose paintings capture the hidden beauty found in the ordinary and unexpected fleeting moments of everyday life. His work has been featured in numerous publications and is in the collections of private and corporate collectors throughout the world. For more information, visit dangrazianofineart.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Dan Graziano
Cost: $650 Museum members/ $700 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372


"Color Temperature in Painting Workshop"
August 9-10, 2025
 

Color temperature is the perceived warmth and coolness of a color. It’s a vital tool for any artist for creating contrast and focus, establishing relationships between light and shadow, suggesting space or distance, and generating mood and meaning. This two-day course will investigate color temperature through a series of still-life exercises that will encourage experimentation, enforce understanding of color’s relative nature, and help you promote temperature effects in your work. Examples from historic and contemporary artists will be discussed. Instruction will be conducted chiefly in watercolor, but painters of all media are welcome!
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Keith Leitner
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Still Life with Water Mixable Oils Workshop"
August 9, 2025
 

During this one-day intensive workshop, Beth shares her unique technique for painting with water mixable (soluble) oils. Known for blurring the line between watercolor and oil paintings, Beth Bathe's unparalleled style evokes feelings of nostalgia, like an old sepia-toned photograph. Beth uses unconventional tools including squeegees and Q-tips, along with her brushes focusing on composition, values, edges, and drawing rather than color. In the morning Beth will do a demo from a still life setup and show how she uses simple apps on her phone to simplify forms enhance value and emphasize composition. In the afternoon students will work from similar still life setups. This workshop is for all levels.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Beth Bathe
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Plein Air to Studio Workshop with Vlad"
August 18-20, 2025
 

This immersive watercolor workshop will begin in a comfortable studio setting, providing a relaxed environment to focus on essential watercolor techniques before transitioning to two consecutive days of painting en plein air in the beautiful surroundings of coastal Maine. Throughout the workshop, students will explore and develop skills such as: Fundamental strategies for identifying strong compositions; Using preliminary sketches to establish the focal point; Conveying the essence of a scene through a limited color palette; Employing a painterly approach to watercolor application; Bringing the painting to completion with effective use of dark values and expressive calligraphic marks.
 
Location: Milbridge, Maine
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $650-$700
Sponsor: The Foggy Bee Retreat
Website, email, 941-330-6865


"Charcoal: Expressive Mark Making, A Painter’s Approach to Drawing"
August 21-24, 2025
 

Students will explore charcoal as the perfect drawing medium for expressive mark making and develop a personal approach to loose, aggressive mark making with a combination of additive and subtractive techniques using charcoal and erasers for mark making and developing grounds. While charcoal will be the primary medium, eventually students will be encouraged to combine other media such as conte crayon and spray paint. Gary Chapman is a Professor of Art – Drawing and Painting at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has had over 60 solo exhibitions with institutions such as The Arts Center of St. Petersburg, Florida and the Indianapolis Art Center. For more information, visit garychapmanart.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Gary Chapman
Cost: $525 Museum members/ $575 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372


"The Elements of a Dynamic Composition"
August 25-27, 2025
 

Why does a well painted picture often lack the “punch” that would make it an award winner? Very often the problem is a weak composition. Rediscover the methods used by the ancient masters to design and compose their magnificent and enduring works of art. Learn a simplified, guaranteed approach to designing your own strong, well balanced, and beautifully composed work of art. Acquire the knowledge that elevates your artwork to the dynamic levels you desire. Whether you are a novice or an advanced artist, these timeless principles provide the certain advantage you need to achieve a greater degree of perfection in your artwork.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Robert H. Way
Cost: $400
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Capturing Radiant Light in Your Paintings in Oil or Acrylic"
September 11-13, 2025
 

Master your ability to capture radiance in your paintings and join South Carolina artist Michael Story for this three-day landscape painting workshop. Michael will explain and demonstrate the fundamentals of building radiant color by applying complementary and analogous color combinations. Students begin their paintings with an initial charcoal drawing, followed by a color wash applied over the image. Starting with rich shadow colors, you’ll begin blocking in our painting, then progressing dark to light to completion. Building final layers of color and avoiding muddy mixtures, you’ll achieve fresh, bright, radiant color while capturing depth and drama to your work. For more information, visit michaelstory.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Michael Story
Cost: $575 Museum members/ $625 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372


"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


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

The classes will focus on painting 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. Color mixing, brush and palette knife application of the medium, and edge treatments will be demonstrated by the instructor. Expecting to paint a masterpiece in class should not be a student objective. Learning the techniques and principles that will lead to prize-winning paintings, being awarded commissions, and obtaining gallery representation should be the take-away from class.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Gary Baughman
Cost: $180
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Expressive Loose Watercolors - Flowers to Figures"
September 21-26, 2025
 

Flowers in the studio at beautiful Dillman's Resort will be the inspiration for students to begin this energetic and enlightening workshop, in which we will explore watercolor in a spontaneous and intuitive way. Learning how to interpret flowers - leading to the Head and Figure will be featured as Janet provides pathways to learning for all levels. The studio will be available 24/7 for students. Janet will also provide photos and drawings of her demonstrations of the head. Students are welcome to paint what she demos or paint from their own photos. The goal of this workshop is to discover the magic and intuition of capturing life in our paintings!!! and having fun all the way!!!
 
Location: Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin
Instructor: Janet Rogers, AWS, TWSA, FWS
Sponsor: Dillman's Bay Resort
Website, email, 715-588-3143


"Building Layers: A Cold Wax Exploration"
October 9-12, 2025
 

Celebrate the fall season with a three-day immersive workshop focused on cold wax and oil painting. Whether you’re new to the medium or looking to deepen your practice, this workshop welcomes artists of all skill levels. With a balance of guided instruction and personal exploration, you’ll have the opportunity to grow at your own pace. We’ll dive into a variety of techniques including layering, working with contrast, veils of color, brayer and transfer techniques, mark-making, masking, stenciling, compression, and blotting. Discussions on composition, color theory, and editing will support you in creating stronger, more personal work. All levels welcome. Cost: $850 (includes all meals) $450 deposit due at registration
 
Location: Kittery, Maine
Instructor: Anne Hebebrand
Cost: $850
Sponsor: Anne Hebebrand
Website, email, 857-930-9849


"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


"Capture Fall En Plein Air"
October 31 & November 1, 2, 2025
 

This is a 3-day outdoor painting workshop for intermediate to advanced painters working in oils or acrylics. It will include lecture, demonstration and practice, the three ingredients to effective instruction and learning. We will cover some so called “basic” elements of Drawing, Value, Color, Composition and Edges... all put into a package called “Concept”, the basis for any painting that you paint. I will work with each student at their own level, and will spend a lot of time at students’ easels, giving individual instruction, and will demo everything that I ask you to do.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Marc Hanson
Cost: $550
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Finding Your Focus in Oil or Pastel"
November 3-5, 2025
 

A good painting has a lot of elements that contribute to its success. Color, value, technique and having a clear focus. All of these principles are explored by Aline, emphasizing looking at shapes in an abstract way in order to create illustrative paintings. Working from their own photo references, students will transform these into oil or pastel paintings using the principles of color, value and design. Along with a painting demonstration each day, Aline will talk about understanding color in terms of temperature, intensity and value while translating those ideas using pastel and oil technique. She will also emphasize the concept of creating shapes and carving back on them in order to achieve a painterly finish.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Aline Ordman
Cost: $500
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Abstract From Realism"
November 3, 2025
 

Unleash your creativity while transforming complex realistic subjects into captivating abstract paintings. This immersive experience kicks off in the morning as students deconstruct a given subject into a specific number of shapes, laying the foundation for abstract artistry. The afternoon session invites participants to apply their newfound skills to their own reference photographs, focusing on mastering value, composition, and color harmony. Whether you are a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, this workshop promises to elevate your artistic expression. In addition to the registration fee, students should bring $30 cash with them to pay for materials. No other materials need to be brought to class with you, aside from reference photographs, that you have taken yourself.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Joan Moreau McKeever
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Watercolor: Sunset Landscapes"
November 7, 2025
 

Join internationally renowned artist, Alan Shuptrine for an immersive watercolor workshop focusing on the beautiful palette of colors found in Sunset Landscapes! Attendees will utilize different watercolor techniques and will work with a broad range of colors and depth, creating multiple compositions. Born the son of recognized painter, Hubert Shuptrine (1936-2006), Alan has continued the legacy of realism that both Andrew Wyeth and his father Hubert established. A resident of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, Shuptrine’s pursuit of the arts includes schooling at The Baylor School (Chattanooga, TN); The University of the South (Sewanee, TN); and The University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN). For more information, visit alanshuptrine.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Alan Shuptrine
Cost: $225 Museum members/ $275 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372


"Painting with Palette Knife & Vibrant Color"
February 3-4, 2026
 

We invite you to register for this exciting 2-Day Palette Knife Workshop for oil & acrylic painters of all levels of experience. This workshop is designed to enhance your painting skills by focusing on palette knife techniques, enabling you to create impressionistic art with complementary colors. You'll learn to integrate these techniques with composition and color theory to elevate your paintings. Through daily demonstrations on various subjects and surfaces, you'll discover the joy of clean color and vibrant energy in your work. Whether you paint in a studio or en plein air, these skills will add excitement and versatility to your art. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your artistic toolbox and transform your source materials into dynamic compositions.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Trish Weeks
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Painting with Passion in Oils or Acrylics"
February 24-26, 2026
 

Join award winning artist and popular instructor, Eric Jacobsen, for this painting workshop where you will learn to loosen up your style and paint expressive landscapes. This oil and acrylics workshop is for students of all levels, beginner through advanced. We will focus on the fundamentals of good painting as it relates to landscape painting. We will cover the following topics: Composition, Value, Design, Choosing a Motif, Identifying and mixing accurate Warm and Cool Colors, Establishing a Focal Point as well as Tips and Do’s and Don’ts for the Landscape Painter. The workshop will be complete with informal lectures, instructor demos, group critiques and plenty of individual instruction. Please come and join Eric for an informative and enjoyable workshop experience.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Eric Jacobsen
Cost: $400
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Decisive & Intentional Painting, for Oils or Acrylics"
March 25-27, 2026
 

This workshop will focus on painting “alla prima” (all at once) as well as developing greater skills of observation, simplification and painting “wet on wet” to create strong “painterly” paintings. The first morning of the workshop begins with a discussion of painting basics (from materials to paint handling) and will also address the fundamentals of color, value, edges, perspective and other “practical” elements that make a successful painting. Each day participants will work on a series of timed painting exercises incorporating the techniques discussed while developing their skills of observation, simplification, bold brushwork and painting in a “decisive” and “intentional” manner. Each morning of the workshop will include a short painting demo by Dan with an explanation of his process.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dan Graziano
Cost: $550
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Plein Air Painting in Watercolor"
May 2-3, 2026
 

Join renowned artist Catherine Hillis for an exhilarating 2-day plein air watercolor workshop tailored for beginner-intermediate and advanced students. Enhance your outdoor painting skills amidst nature's beauty with expert guidance. Discover the art of painting "en plein air," where you'll capture landscapes directly from your surroundings. Catherine will help you select the perfect equipment to match your style and choose ideal locations for painting. In this class, you'll gain practical insights on setting up your workspace and Hillis will show you how to follow structured steps in order to create vibrant watercolors. We will explore diverse subjects, like landscapes, gardens, and marshes while mastering composition and perspective. Enjoy daily onsite demonstrations that provide practical guidance and inspiration.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Catherine Hillis
Cost: $380
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"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


 

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