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Fridays, May 1-29, 2026
Paint on location at Philadelphia's historic Fairmount Park mansions! Built in the 18th century, these houses feature amazing architecture, beautiful gardens, and scenic views. Each week will feature a different instructor including: Lisa BergerLentz, Mark Bockrath, Roger Chavez, & Lou Schellenberg, demonstrating 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 & Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

May 1, 2026
The workshop begins with flowers! You will create your own flower arrangement with Jennifer’s help. Jennifer will have a beautiful selection of fresh flowers, and a container/vessel to create an arrangement for each student. She’s an excellent instructor and makes the workshop so fun. Students will go home with a gorgeous fresh floral arrangement in a container. After the flower arranging is complete, we break for a one-hour lunch. Students can bring their own, order in, or go out. The afternoon will be spent painting flowers. Jan will instruct on the painting of florals beginning with a brief demo. She will then work with students for the remainder of the afternoon as they create paintings from their own floral arrangements.
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jennifer Reed & Jan Wier
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

May 4, 2026
Having a well-chosen limited palette is not only incredibly useful but also highly practical for plein air painting and all other studio work. That said, many artists find that a limited palette sometimes falls short—there are always a few colors they need that simply can’t be mixed from the ones they have. Through rigorous investigation, Qiang has examined color performance using a systematic process. His findings are backed by scientific evidence that supports clear reasoning and informed decision-making. He will introduce a new seven-color limited palette that he has found to be effective across nearly all genres, both in the studio and outdoors. To test its versatility, Qiang spent about a year painting exclusively with this palette.
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Qiang Huang
Cost: $10
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

May 4 - June 1, 2026
Whether you want to paint a bunch of flowers, a single flower, or just use the colors of flowers to launch an idea, this course may be for you. We will be working in oils. You may bring your own flowers to use as reference or work from whatever I choose to bring that day. This course is not about botanical painting or hyper realistic painting. It is more about expressing the joy of flowers; the colors, and textures, and shapes. If you even used this class time to practice mixing the colors you see, it will be painting time well spent.
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jan Wier
Cost: $210
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

May 4, 2026 | 9am - 1pm
Nature Artist, Randall Scott leads you through an intriguing journey of the many facets of art. We will be exploring sketching, drawing, composing, and layout of an image of your choice, which you have gathered or experienced first-hand. Growing in subject knowledge, as well as enhancing individual artistic skills in drawing and painting through your specific reference materials.
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Randall Scott
Cost: $70
Sponsor: The New Studio For The Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

Sundays, May 10 - June 14 (No class on May 17)
Take an energetic painting journey with Susan Sullivan in this live Zoom Sunday class! Learn the basics of direct oil painting including composition, color mixing and paint handling. Create paintings from observation based on your own still life arrangements, window view/landscape, self-portrait, and through copying a master artwork. Receive helpful feedback and critique along the way. All levels welcome in this informative and fun class!
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Susan Sullivan
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

May 11-12, 2026
Qiang’s approach to still life painting will be demonstrated with particular focus on creating dramatic set ups by observing the light distribution and using bold and loose strokes to create a powerful and accurate representation on canvas. Using demonstrations and individual assistance, Qiang will explain his process of creating energetic paintings by manipulating values, colors, edges, and brushwork. Personal attention will be given to each student according to his or her current skill level and personal goals in art. The workshop is designed for indoor practice with live settings. Qiang has developed computer tools to help artists to see color more accurately and simplify the painting process. He will share his color study and introduce the tools in this workshop.
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Qiang Huang
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

May 11-13, 2026
Given the priority of authentic light in my work, it is this element that I like to focus on during the three-day workshop. As such, we will focus on value and color temperature relationships above all else. While good drawing is paramount to our effort—since nothing spoils a painting faster than drawing errors—our time is better spent on the more difficult and crucial concepts of value and color temperature. Elements such as appropriate edges, surface texture, composition, and others will also be discussed as needed. We will be painting in oil.
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Mark Boedges
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

May 11, 2026 | 9am - 1pm
Nature Artist, Randall Scott leads you through an intriguing journey of the many facets of art. We will be exploring sketching, drawing, composing, and layout of an image of your choice, which you have gathered or experienced first-hand. Growing in subject knowledge, as well as enhancing individual artistic skills in drawing and painting through your specific reference materials.
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Randall Scott
Cost: $70
Sponsor: The New Studio For The Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

Wednesdays, May 13 - June 17, 2026
This in-person/on-campus studio class presents a structured approach to painting the figure in oils from life. Topics include drawing methods, gesture, figure structure, basic anatomy, palettes, and various paint application techniques for layering and alla prima approaches. Includes instructor demonstrations and generous individualized guidance/feedback.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Al Gury
Cost: $615
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Fridays, May 15 - June 26, 2026
This painting-essentials course presents an in-depth and practical examination of the role of color in oil and acrylic painting. Instruction will explore mixing strategies and the effects of color choices and relationships upon depth, atmosphere, and luminosity. A variety of painting methods will be addressed, with a focus on how to exploit glazing, scumbling, and velatura layering techniques to achieve richer and more lively color. The still-life subject matter is appropriate for painters of all experience levels, although those with prior experience will benefit most from the color-emphasis in content.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $450
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Saturdays, May 16 - June 27, 2026
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 the valuable opportunity for more advanced students to continue to hone their skills 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: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

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

May 18-20, 2026
Join acclaimed artist Kevin Fitzgerald for an immersive three-day plein air workshop designed for artists of all levels. This hands-on experience blends indoor instruction with outdoor practice, giving participants both the knowledge and confidence to paint directly from life. Each day begins with engaging studio sessions where Kevin shares essential techniques, including composition, color mixing, light and shadow, and strategies for capturing atmosphere. Through demonstrations and guided discussions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to translate what they see into expressive, dynamic artwork. The group will then move outdoors to apply these concepts in real-world settings. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with new skills, finished studies, and a renewed confidence in painting en plein air.
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Kevin Fitzgerald
Cost: $396 ($330 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

May 18, 2026 | 9am - 1pm
Nature Artist, Randall Scott leads you through an intriguing journey of the many facets of art. We will be exploring sketching, drawing, composing, and layout of an image of your choice, which you have gathered or experienced first-hand. Growing in subject knowledge, as well as enhancing individual artistic skills in drawing and painting through your specific reference materials.
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Randall Scott
Cost: $70
Sponsor: The New Studio For The Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

Tuesdays, May 19 - June 16, 2026
The oil sketch is a traditional way for painters to execute preparatory ideas and quickly capture initial impressions – perfect for plein air painting! Learn useful techniques for rapidly encapsulating color and form while working directly from observation. Locations with shade and restrooms include Bartram’s Garden and other sites along the Schuylkill River. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Roger Chavez
Cost: $315
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Wednesdays, May 20 - July 29, 2026
Learn to explore new possibilities and paint more intuitively under the guidance of artist/critic/mentor Kassem Amoudi. Work from personal subject matter (objects, images, emotions, or ideas) to find your own visual language, informed by examples from contemporary and modern art. Examine how to use concepts of color, harmony, focal point, space, and mark-making as powerful tools of personal expression. Instruction is geared toward open painting time supported by critiques and advice from the instructor as he works one-on-one with students to guide them in their personal style and goals. This course is excellent for students pursuing abstract or nonobjective imagery, seeking knowledgeable feedback and a focused community painting environment. Painting experience recommended.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Kassem Amoudi
Cost: $450
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

May 25, 2026 | 9am - 1pm
Nature Artist, Randall Scott leads you through an intriguing journey of the many facets of art. We will be exploring sketching, drawing, composing, and layout of an image of your choice, which you have gathered or experienced first-hand. Growing in subject knowledge, as well as enhancing individual artistic skills in drawing and painting through your specific reference materials.
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Randall Scott
Cost: $70
Sponsor: The New Studio For The Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

Tuesdays, May 26 - August 4, 2026
This extended course explores landscape drawing and painting in the studio using reference photos and sketches. Students will learn how to create effective reference materials through photography, sketching, and observation, and how to translate these references into compelling compositions. Instruction will focus on principles of design, including balance, value structure, and spatial organization, alongside an in-depth exploration of color relationships, atmosphere, and light. Through a series of projects and critiques, students will develop technical skills and a personal approach to interpreting the landscape.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Shushana Rucker
Cost: $450
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

May 30, 2026
Working from a limited palette, this one-day workshop focuses on ways to create expressive florals on a larger canvas exploring energetic brushstrokes to create a harmonious and vibrant garden scene of flowers. Students will work from their own or provided imagery. Examples of colorful works by Josef Klimt and Joan Mitchell will be shared to inspire your process. A short demo will be shared on color mixing and simplification of form.
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Abby Ober
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

June 1-5, 2026
Exploring abstracts on a larger scale in the medium of your choosing, this 5-day class will push you into new territory where growth lives… only upsized, because bigger risks equal bigger rewards. You will be shown a system for developing your artistic voice, with a focus on design principles and the language of abstraction. The emphasis is on creative process, exploring new ways to develop and build paintings, create inventive compositions, and build authentic intent in your work. The class is as much a challenge for the experienced as it is for the developing artist, but it’s not for the rank beginner. Bring a sense of humor, a fearless creative spirit, and an open mind.
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Larry Moore
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

June 4-6, 2026
Join professional painters John Ball and Mark Baral for Color and Light in the Landscape, an Artist’s Connection Event at the Brush and Sketch Studio in Pensacola, FL. Through demonstrations, discussion, and critique, the artists will explore how light and color shape the landscape, how figures can strengthen a landscape composition, and how studio paintings are developed from plein air sketches and studies. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own landscape sketches for thoughtful feedback and problem solving. This welcoming event is designed to help artists gain practical insight, fresh ideas, and meaningful connections with fellow painters.
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Instructor: John Ball & Mark Baral
Cost: $525
Sponsor: The Brush and Sketch Studio
Website, email, 850 741-8788 or 850 380-9087

June 5 & 6, 2026
Instructor Nancy Mitchell will help students loosen up, paint larger, and achieve amazing texture using a wide range of techniques. This workshop for oil and acrylic painters of all levels encourages artists to simplify shapes, work boldly, and build richly tactile surfaces with confident, expressive strokes. Through demonstrations and guided practice, participants will explore multiple approaches to creating depth, contrast, and visual interest through texture—learning how to layer, scrape, scumble, dry brush, and manipulate paint to suggest everything from subtle surface variation to dramatic, dimensional effects. Nancy will share her approach to painting quickly and intuitively, helping artists balance control with spontaneity to keep their work fresh and energized!
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Nancy Mitchell
Cost: $120
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

June 9-10, 2026
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

June 11-13, 2026
Qiang’s approach to still life painting will be demonstrated with particular focus on creating dramatic set ups by observing the light distribution, and using bold and loose strokes to create a powerful and accurate representation on canvas.
Using demonstrations and individual assistance, Qiang will explain his process of creating energetic paintings by manipulating values, colors, edges, and brushwork. Personal attention will be given to each student according to his or her current skill level and personal goals in art. The workshop is designed for indoor practice with live settings. For more information, visit qh-art.com.
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Qiang Huang
Cost: $525 Museum members/ $550 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372

June 13 & 14, 2026
Don't miss this opportunity to work with renowned painter Bill Scott to explore the sensuous yet thoughtful abstract construction of space in this two-day, intensive studio workshop. Color will be the focus as participants paint from an expansive still life environment with special prompts from Scott. This workshop is designed for intermediate/advanced painters.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Bill Scott
Cost: $395
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Fridays, June 19 - July 17, 2026
Learn the basics of painting outdoors as you work on location at beautiful and historic Laurel Hill Cemetery featuring terraced grounds, sculpture, and amazing views of the Schuylkill River. Instruction will address the ins-and-outs of working outdoors, color and composition, art historical examples, and personal expression. You may work in the media of your choice including oil, acrylic, watercolor & pastel. Free parking and restrooms available.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michelle Oosterbaan
Cost: $175
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Wednesdays, July 1 - August 5, 2026
The class is designed to support artists at all levels of development. Students will learn and develop skills in underpainting, composition, impasto, glazing and scumbling. Beginning students will work with foundational exercises, experienced students may, by agreement with the instructor, work on independent projects with supervision.
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: David Hollander
Cost: $276 ($230 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

Tuesdays, July 7 - August 11, 2026
Energize and open up your approach to figure painting through rapid, loose oil painting studies from the life model. Learn tactics to avoid the tendency toward tightness and over-attention to detail too early in the process that can lead to work that lacks liveliness in gesture or mark and is difficult to adjust or correct. Through short, small-scale painting exercises from the model in one-day poses, learn new ways of approaching life painting with an emphasis on keeping compositions fluid, capturing the gesture and character of the subject before getting locked into its contours, and both initiating and retaining a sense of freshness in your color and brushstrokes. Instruction will address color mixing, painting materials and methodologies.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Roger Chavez
Cost: $515
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Thursdays, July 9 - August 13, 2026
Explore the art of portrait painting through an in-depth approach from Al Gury, noted PAFA instructor and author of Alla Prima: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Direct Painting and Color for Painters: A Guide to Traditions and Practice. Investigate the structure and basic anatomy of the human head through drawings and painted studies. Progress to finished paintings and address issues of likeness, composition, space and texture. Instruction will focus on alla prima (direct) painting techniques, practical use of materials, and color palettes for effective portrait painting. Learn to better see and understand color to mix it more successfully – a useful skill for painting any subject matter. All levels welcome. Note: Course tuition includes a $65 model fee.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Al Gury
Cost: $515
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
Saturdays, July 11 - August 15, 2026
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. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: David Wilson
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
July 11, 2026
Too much of the same green? Discover the importance of using a range of greens to make your landscapes more impactful. Begin with creating a variety of color swatches of your chosen landscape, pushing some warmer or cooler or lighter or darker. Work on balancing these with other colors in your piece to create a harmonious and balanced composition. Various examples of paintings will be shared a short demo as well in color mixing from a limited palette of color. You can choose to work on smaller landscape studies or a larger finished piece.
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Abby Ober
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Mondays, July 13 - August 17, 2026
Explore the possibilities of palette knife painting in this six-week course led by artist Shushana Rucker. Designed for painters of all levels, the course introduces students to a range of knife techniques for applying oil paint. Through demonstrations, guided exercises, and individual feedback, students will learn how to mix bold color and use texture to heighten expression and atmosphere. Working from observation and reference imagery, participants will complete several finished paintings and develop a personal approach to working with the knife. No prior palette knife experience required.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Shushana Rucker
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Thursdays, July 16 - August 13, 2026
This five-week course focuses on the specific skills needed to successfully create small and miniature oil paintings. Students will learn how to adjust composition, simplify forms, and control detail so that images read clearly at a smaller size. Students will learn painting strategies which will make working at a smaller scale more approachable. Working from observation and/or reference, students will also explore how value, edges, and color relationships function differently in a compact format. Through demonstrations, exercises, and critique, participants will build confidence in making clear, deliberate decisions that suit the demands of painting small.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Shushana Rucker
Cost: $245
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

July 16-18, 2026
This 3-Day In-Studio workshop is designed for beginner students, intermediate students and advanced students. The instructor has limited the size to ensure that this type of workshop style will be the most beneficial for every student.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Adam Clague
Cost: $550
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

July 18-19, 2026
In this intensive weekend course, students will complete two to three small oil paintings while exploring a range of techniques for rendering complex surface qualities. Through focused exercises, participants will develop methods for organizing the flowing structure of draped fabric, capturing the intricate patterns of wood grain, and conveying the reflective sheen of metal. The course will also address the challenges of depicting transparency in glass and the subtle, shifting character of water both on surfaces and within vessels such as glasses or vases. This class presents valuable information for painters of all subject matter. Previous drawing and painting experience is strongly recommended.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

July 25, 2026
Before a painting deserves a large canvas, it must survive the study. In this intensive one-day workshop, professional artist Vlad Duchev guides serious painters through the disciplined process that separates hesitation from mastery: structured, intentional studies. In today’s art culture, artists are often encouraged to “just paint.” But strong paintings are not accidents. They are built. A study is not a warm-up. It is not a quick sketch. It is a focused investigation. When you isolate one problem at a time — value, composition, temperature, edge, brushwork — clarity replaces guesswork. Confidence replaces correction. Authority replaces uncertainty.
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Vlad Milan Duchev
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

August 1, 2026
This one-day workshop introduces the fundamentals of color temperature and its role in creating depth, light, and mood in a painting. Through demonstrations and hands-on exercises, participants will explore the relationships between warm and cool colors and how temperature shifts can be used to model form, suggest atmosphere, and unify a composition. Working from simple references, students will practice mixing and applying color with intention. This workshop is suitable for all levels and emphasizes both observation and experimentation.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Shushana Rucker
Cost: $115
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

August 30 - September 6, 2026
Join the Diamond 4 Ranch and artist John Springer to experience the grandeur of the American wilderness through the practice of oil painting. With the support of horse-pack, we will have the rare opportunity to create artwork deep within the mountains. Together we'll experience what John Muir knew: "Going to the mountains is going home." This trip is limited to 10 participants. We will spend the first three nights based from cabins, then we'll camp for three nights, and our final night will be back in the cabins. A family outfitter guiding the Wind Rivers for three generations. Licensed by USFS since 1973.
Location: Lander, Wyoming
Instructor: John Springer
Cost: $4250 + gratuity (suggested 15-20%)
Sponsor: Diamond 4 Ranch
Website, email, +1 (307) 332-2995

September 2-6, 2026
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

September 18-20, 2026
In this workshop, students will work in the Alla Prima method to paint three still-life paintings, one each day. Alla prima translates to “in the first” and is a wet-into-wet painting technique. Students are encouraged to bring their own props to create meaningful paintings. Each morning, the instructor will do a demonstration, and in the afternoon, students will work on their paintings and receive individual critiques. An emphasis on mark making, painting loosely, expressive color, and making a picture will be discussed. All levels are welcome.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Todd Casey
Cost: $550
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

October 4 & 5, 2026
In this dynamic two-day workshop, you will explore ways to bring energy, movement, and expressive mark-making into your oil paintings. Together we will embrace experimentation and cultivate a spirit of playful discovery. Through a series of guided exercises, you will work with a printmaker’s tool—the brayer— and water mixable oil paint to create bold, unexpected marks in combination with brush work and other miscellaneous mark making tools to layer textures and add energy within your paintings. We will also explore the exciting combination of oil paint with pastel and watercolor to expand your choices in how you approach your painting practice. We will also touch on color theory, and how we choose our palette to create mood and atmosphere.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Anne Strutz
Cost: $350
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

November 6-8, 2026
In this 3-day workshop, Karen leads her students through the process of creating dynamic loose paintings that breathe life and reality. Using a photo reference, she will demonstrate the various stages of a painting from initial design to the final strokes. Along with foundational principles, Karen emphasizes the use of large brushes, intuitive measuring and the back-and-forth search of positive and negative shapes to achieve spontaneity and visual interest. This workshop was designed for all levels of oil & acrylic painters.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Karen Wilharm
Cost: $500
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

April 27, 2026 | 9am - 1pm
Nature Artist, Randall Scott leads you through an intriguing journey of the many facets of art. We will be exploring sketching, drawing, composing, and layout of an image of your choice, which you have gathered or experienced first-hand. Growing in subject knowledge, as well as enhancing individual artistic skills in drawing and painting through your specific reference materials.
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Randall Scott
Cost: $70
Sponsor: The New Studio For The Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

September 30 & October 2, 2027
Discover the joy of painting expressive, atmospheric skies in this dynamic workshop designed for artists of all levels. Join award-winning artist and renowned instructor Eric Jacobsen for an inspiring experience tailored to both oil and acrylic painters. Key topics include composition, value, design, choosing a motif, identifying and mixing accurate warm and cool colors, establishing a focal point, and valuable tips and do’s and don’ts for the landscape painter. Special emphasis will be placed on mark making, helping you bring energy and expression to your brushwork. The workshop will feature a combination of informal lectures, instructor demonstrations, and plenty of hands-on painting time, ensuring a well-rounded and engaging learning experience.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Eric Jacobsen
Cost: $550
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

See also:
Art Books for Oil Painting |
Tutorials for Oil Painting
