The workshop sessions begin as Couch completes a painting, explaining what he is doing, and why, as he paints. Students paint in the afternoons, after which Couch critiques all the day’s completed work, including his own. An optional slide show/lecture on the principles of design – including color and composition – will be presented in the afternoon of the first day. For more information, visit tonycouch.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Tony Couch
Cost: $575 Museum members/ $625 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372

Nocturnes: Painting the Moonlight invites artists to explore the quiet drama and mystery of nocturnal landscapes through watercolor with renowned artist, Alan Shuptrine. In this immersive workshop, students will learn how to paint by contrast—capturing the subtle glow of moonlight against deep shadows, and discovering how darkness can heighten emotion, atmosphere, and depth. Guided by Goethe’s words, “Where there is much light, the shadow is deep,” Alan will demonstrate how to juxtapose light and dark to create luminous night scenes filled with mood and movement. Come explore moonlit paths and shadowed tree lines and experience the night through watercolor! For more information, visit alanshuptrine.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Alan Shuptrine
Cost: $285 Museum members/ $335 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372

Skill Level: All Artists to Beginners to Professional. If you’re painting still lacks the color impact you desire, consider this workshop. Far more than a “regular” color workshop, this rigorous course will heighten your awareness and ability to see color in all its attributes and deceptions. Susan and Doug will teach the Russian Impressionist method they employ to SEE and identify the color you wish to depict, create a concept for that color, followed by a methodology for mixing pigment. Also covered is the coveted skill of creating depth in your paintings by honing your color space skills. the artist will come away with pages of useful color swatches and a practical color mixing strategy. For more information, visit diehlfineart.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Susan and Doug Diehl
Cost: $425 Museum members/ $450 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372

Artists can all benefit from ideas to help us create more expressive paintings. Karen is always striving to interpret her subject by including her own personal touch rather than a copying the reference and painting exactly what she sees. She will share her tips and techniques for the effective use of photos to inspire paintings. She will give you the tools you need to move away from copying the reference and to help you create stronger paintings. She considers herself a contemporary landscape painter. She is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and a Masters Circle recipient of the International Association of Pastel Societies. For more information, visit karenmargulis.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Karen Margulis
Cost: $485 Museum members/ $535 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372

Discover the beauty of painting landscapes that breathe with light, mood, and emotion. In this watercolor workshop, Keiko Tanabe guides artists on a journey from the foundation of structure to the expressive freedom of impression. Through clear instruction and intuitive insight, Keiko will demonstrate how to simplify complex scenes, design with purpose, and infuse your paintings with atmosphere and feeling. During her live demonstrations, she provides a running commentary, offering an inside look at her thought process – how she interprets the subject, makes compositional decisions, and chooses colors and brushstrokes to express mood and intention. For more information, visit ktanabefineart.com. Students will learn to balance control and spontaneity, creating paintings that are fresh, luminous, and deeply personal.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Keiko Tanabe
Cost: $630 Museum members/ $680 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372