Monochrome painting is art composed in a single color. It utilizes various shades or tints, so the images become incredibly evocative and most importantly what you lose in not using color you’ll gain in quality of composition and contrast. Color is no longer a distraction. The focus is on the overall composition. Also mark-making is improved by enabling the discovery of different forms and shapes with subtle tones. Painting with a single color can improve your art because it makes you concentrate on elements such as line, value, lighting and form.
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Jorge Luis Bernal
Cost: $695.00 Tax & Materials included
Website, email, 301-821-3999

This is a feel-good, soul-nourishing creative retreat designed to remind you how fun making art can be. It’s about experimenting, getting a little messy, trying new things, and letting joy lead the way. Whether you’re a lifelong artist or someone who just needs a creative reset, you’ll be welcomed exactly as you are — no pressure, no perfection, just encouragement and good vibes. You’ll make your own sketchbooks and fill them with drawings using pencils, pens, markers, and Posca paint pens. We’ll paint with watercolor and acrylics, layering color, and texture, and learning how to let pieces evolve naturally instead of overthinking them. We’ll also get hands-on with sculptural projects —to create tactile, one-of-a-kind pieces that feel earthy, expressive, and totally you.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Allison Luci
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

Join artist Kim Smith for a joyful week of creativity, where participants will explore the beauty of floral painting. Using photos as inspiration, Kim will guide the group in creating expressive oil paintings that capture the freshness and spontaneity of flowers. Throughout the retreat, Kim will demonstrate essential skills such as underpainting, working with transparent vs. opaque colors, building a strong palette, and color mixing techniques. Her teaching style encourages freedom, confidence, and play — reminding students that painting should always be fun. No prior experience is needed, and participants will be supported every step of the way in a relaxed, encouraging environment. Open to ages 18+.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Kim Myers Smith
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

Step into a world of layered color, texture, and playful discovery as we explore florals through watercolor and mixed media. In this series of sessions, we’ll combine soft watercolor techniques with vintage papers, collage elements, fibers, stitching, and a touch of sparkle to create expressive floral art with a story of its own. You’ll learn how to paint loose, lovely florals and then transform them into meaningful pieces. Each day builds gently on the last, offering new techniques, tools, and unexpected “found” materials to inspire your artistic voice. Whether you’re an experienced artist or brand new to mixed media, you’ll leave with a beautiful collection of floral creations and a toolbox of techniques you can carry into your own art practice.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Pam Coxwell
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

Explore your creativity, open your senses and sharpen your mind to new realms of art-making with noted artist Mikel Elam. Mikel will help you articulate your vision and bring it to concrete reality in the form of a finished work. Explore techniques new and old with paint, paper, found objects and ephemera to best express both representational and abstract perspectives. Channel ideas of progressive artists from the past and present including Henri Matisse, Romare Bearden, Cecily Brown, Joan Mitchell while finding your own voice.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Mikel Elam
Cost: $250
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

This 12-week course invites students into the exciting world of abstract mixed media art. Students will explore a wide range of materials, techniques, tools and compositional strategies to create richly layered artwork. Students will receive practical advice, creative prompts, and individualized guidance as they develop their own pieces over time. Students will explore essential topics such as mark-making, texture, layering, contrast, intuitive composition, adding and subtracting, similar but different, balance, and focal points. The course encourages experimentation with tools like brushes, palette knives, color shapers, and unconventional materials. Participants will develop and refine at least one (or more) large cohesive abstract collage artwork, while also creating smaller exploratory pieces throughout the course as part of learning new techniques and materials.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Birgit Raders-Eichinger
Cost: $540
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

In this 12-week class we will explore ways to move beyond blending and over-polishing toward a more semi-abstract approach. With a focus on shape, color, and composition, your work can become more powerful. Bring your current work to develop each week. The instructor will help you strengthen your existing approach and refine your paintings. All subject matter and mediums are welcome- still-life, figure, landscape, et al. There will be weekly discussions or lessons, and the instructor will provide weekly one-on-one guidance for each student. Please note: This is a semi-abstract class. We will begin with representational subject matter while exploring ways to abstract it. All mediums welcome (instructor works in oil).
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Claudia Rilling
Cost: $585
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

In this intermediate-advanced painting course students will work from personal family photographs (historic or contemporary) to cultivate a deeper connection with one's family history, or simply to create a strong painting based on photographs that have been stashed away for years in family archives. We will address issues such as the head, proportion, simplification, and color mixing. Students will work from full color images or in sepia- this will be determined based on the references used. Students work at their own pace and will receive one-on-one instruction. Lessons will be supplemented by discussions of notable figurative painters. All mediums welcome (instructor works in oil).
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Claudia Rilling
Cost: $585
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Explore new techniques and further develop your personal style along with fellow artists and friends in Wayne Art Center's bright and spacious art studios. This professional-style open studio offers a self-directed environment where artists of all levels can hone their skills and explore their creativity. Designed for those seeking a dedicated time and place to create without the constraints of formal instruction, the space fosters independence and artistic growth. These sessions are open to everyone—from absolute beginners to advanced artists—providing a supportive community for anyone looking to focus on their craft.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

An immersive experience creating a collection of abstract paintings! Take a deep dive into the creative process of Abstract Painting with elements of collage and mixed media. Students who have a desire to find their own personal voice and style while learning the fundamentals of painting with acrylics (and mixed media) in an abstract manner, will find many opportunities to flourish in this robust workshop. Jodi Ohl will guide students through a variety of inspiring chats, comprehensive demonstrations, and provide personal guidance daily. Students can expect to work on multiple pieces on both paper and canvas (or hardboard) to develop their own personal style and build on their body of existing work.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Jodi Ohl
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

Discover the limitless potential of mixed media in this dynamic workshop led by acclaimed artist Rose Cofield. Designed to spark your imagination, this session invites you to experiment with texture, color, and form as you blend a variety of materials into cohesive, expressive works of art. Draw inspiration from captivating themes—faces, stairs, doors, flowers—and explore the art of layering to add depth and meaning to your creations. With Rose’s expert instruction and creative insight, you’ll gain fresh techniques and the confidence to push your artistic boundaries. This course is appropriate for students of all levels, even beginners. Students should bring $20 cash to pay the instructor for materials, most of which will be provided for you.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Rose Cofield
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This workshop will focus on helping students transform their works on paper, including drawings, paintings and prints into mixed media pieces, with a focus on collage. Students are encouraged to bring in previous work that they consider unfinished or unsuccessful as a starting point for their mixed media experiments and creations. Students will have access to the etching press and printing inks to make new prints to add to their pieces. Instruction will be based on a student’s individual interests and skills and thus is appropriate for beginners through advanced level. See materials list for detailed information on supplies.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Christine Stoughton
Cost: $250
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Create your own collage from painted paper in the online Zoom class with Katie Knoeringer! Learn how to plan and complete an original work of art from pencil sketch to finished collage. This class covers processes for generating ideas, spatial drawing techniques, basic color theory and collage techniques.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Katie Knoeringer
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

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

Come make art you wear! This retreat is an invitation to turn everyday clothing into living, breathing art. We’ll experiment boldly and play freely…stamping patterns, painting with bleach, drawing directly onto fabric with markers, and layering in meaning with patches. We’ll sculpt small clay pins, transform shoes into statement pieces, and explore how texture, mark-making, and creativity can express your personality. You’ll create a collection of wearable works. No single piece stands alone…each becomes part of a story you’re telling through what you wear. We’ll close the retreat with a joyful runway show, where your creations and you get to shine! No fashion experience required…just curiosity, courage, and a willingness to let your inner artist come out and play!
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Lori Siebert
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

Discover the art of block printing and collage in this immersive five-day workshop! We’ll focus on carving techniques, pattern design, and layering to create bold, expressive prints and patterns. As the week progresses, we’ll explore how block printing can be combined with hand stitching and collage, to add texture and storytelling to your work. Whether you're new to block printing or looking to expand your skills, this class offers a creative and supportive space to experiment and play as you create a series of memorable art pieces. I’ll guide you through each step of the process. On our last day, we’ll put the finishing touches on our artwork and share our completed pieces with the group.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Diane Kappa
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

Unleash your creativity in this Mixed Media Printing class, where you'll explore the vibrant world of gel plate printing! This class promises a joyful journey of discovery for artists of all levels. Join us as we dive into the fascinating process of printing without a press, utilizing a variety of plates and materials. Experience the thrill of layering with stencils, tissue paper, and embellishments. Throughout the course, you'll compile your creations into a beautiful book, serving as both a personal showcase and a valuable reference of techniques. Let your imagination soar in an inspiring and supportive environment, where there are no limits. Come and experience the joy of mixed media printing—your artistic adventure awaits!
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Sharon Collins
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

Set on several peaceful acres at the historic Connecticut River Valley Inn in the charming town of Glastonbury, this intimate five-day retreat invites you into a slower, more intentional creative experience—one that reconnects you with play, creative wellness, and the leadership that emerges when you feel truly aligned. Hosted exclusively by Dionne Woods, this refined gathering is designed for women who already create, already lead in some way, and feel a quiet inner shift calling them toward deeper alignment—artistically, personally, and professionally. This is not a retreat about pushing harder or producing more. It is about leading with intention—by reconnecting to joy, curiosity, and the inner creative child who knows how to play.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Dionne Woods
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

Explore your creativity, open your senses and sharpen your mind to new realms of art-making with noted artist Mikel Elam. Mikel will help you articulate your vision and bring it to concrete reality in the form of a finished work. Explore techniques new and old with paint, paper, found objects and ephemera to best express both representational and abstract perspectives. Channel ideas of progressive artists from the past and present including Henri Matisse, Romare Bearden, Cecily Brown, Joan Mitchell while finding your own voice.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Mikel Elam
Cost: $250
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Explore new techniques and further develop your personal style along with fellow artists and friends in Wayne Art Center's bright and spacious art studios. This professional-style open studio offers a self-directed environment where artists of all levels can hone their skills and explore their creativity. Designed for those seeking a dedicated time and place to create without the constraints of formal instruction, the space fosters independence and artistic growth. These sessions are open to everyone—from absolute beginners to advanced artists—providing a supportive community for anyone looking to focus on their craft.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Experience the joy of watercolor painting in combination with gouache and ink to create a range of effects! Learn techniques for layering ink and watercolor to develop a deep, rich surface as well as direct, alla prima methods while you work from your own photographs. Add gouache and drawing media for contrast and definition. All tools and techniques will be explained and demonstrated including preparatory drawing, brushes, types of paper, use of color and painting methods. Designed to be instructional and fun for students of all levels of experience from beginner to advanced.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Kowbuz
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Get into the holiday spirit while creating beautiful, handmade mixed media cards perfect for the season! In this festive workshop, you'll explore charming winter and Christmas landscapes using a delightful combination of traditional watercolors, watercolor pencils, glitter, stamps, and stencils. Through live demonstrations and hands-on practice, you'll learn techniques for painting enchanting seasonal scenes—from snowy landscapes to cozy holiday imagery. Whether you choose to work with classic watercolors alone or embrace the full mixed media experience with watercolor pencils, sparkle, and decorative stamps, you'll have the creative freedom to follow your inspiration. Students should bring $20 cash to pay instructor for materials, which will all be provided for you to use during the workshop.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Julie Schroeder
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Join Cerulean Arts Collective artist Leslie Fenton and learn to create a work of art with cut paper and paint! Develop marks and paper matrices in response to the wildly abundant natural world with a simple toolset of paper, paint, ink, X-acto knife, and adhesive. Short demonstrations will be followed by hands-on practice of ideas and techniques which you can extend beyond the workshop.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Leslie Fenton
Cost: $115
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

On a small canvas, you’ll create beautiful Burch trees using a plethora of mixed media! We’ll explore a variety of fun materials including torn papers, napkins, stencils, glue, paint, glitter, and more. Through layering, painting, and stenciling, you’ll bring depth and texture to your piece, resulting in a 3-dimensional stunning work of art. Unleash your creativity and enjoy the process of making this vibrant mixed-media artwork! No experience necessary! Students should bring $20 cash to pay instructor for materials.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Julie Schroeder
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This intensive session provides basic technical CWM/Oil skills plus advanced conceptual expression tools. The focus centers on how the psychological perception of color, form, and texture anchors a composition and guides the viewer's eye. Two-Day Curriculum Structure. Day 1: Foundations & Technical Mechanics, Layering, Masking & paint solvent reductions. Day 2: Application & Conceptual Expression. The second day applies these mechanics directly to visual mechanics and narrative design. Visual Weight Distribution. Rhythm & Repetition: Focal Points & Contrast: Utilizing sharp tonal or Studio Practice & Critiques: Ample dedicated painting time paired with direct, personalized Q&A feedback sessions to refine individual narratives.
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Jorge Luis Bernal
Cost: $545.00 Tax & materials included
Sponsor: Jorge Luis Bernal Studio and Workshops
Website, email, 301-821-3999

Step away from the noise of everyday life and into a space of quiet creativity, connection, and renewal. We’ll create our own handmade art journal and fill it with imaginative wanderings. Together, we’ll explore collage, paint, doodling, mark-making, stenciling, Gelli printing, writing, and the layering of meaningful bits and pieces from our “Ephemera Bar”, a carefully curated collection of vintage papers, letters, music, ribbons and fabrics to play with, experiment with, and express with. There is no pressure to “be artistic” here. No rules to follow. Just a supportive, welcoming space where curiosity is enough. This experience is designed especially for women in a season of reflection and growth who are seeking something deeper—rest, reflection, creative expression, and connection.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Kat Kirby
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

This 2-day workshop explores the artistic principles of visual organization and the opportunity to experiment with collage, cold wax medium and oil paints. Day 1: Foundations & Techniques. All the Basics: Substrate preparation, color mixing, tools, use of paint shapers, mark-making techniques, masking, stencils, brayer techniques, texture applications, paint solvent reductions etc. Day 2: Expression & Application: Focusing on visual organization and the expressive use collage and color to build richly layered surfaces and develop a narrative. Enjoy ample painting time with personalized feedback through direct Q&A sessions with Jorge throughout the weekend.
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Jorge Luis Bernal
Cost: $545.00 Tax & materials included
Website, email, 301-821-3999

Who is this workshop for? If you are a beginner, you’ll be given the opportunity to learn composition, color mixing, mark making and more, all in a welcoming environment. If you are an advanced artist, Jodie will help you create your most honest work through understanding the personal energy you bring to your art, embracing your personal mark making and how you choose color combinations in a more intuitive way. Either way, this workshop will help you and your art advance to a new level in a judgement-free, joy-filled zone.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Jodie King
Cost: $3,300
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389