Learn the techniques and tools of figure sculpture through demonstration and hands-on sculpting from the model. Explore anatomy, proportion, gesture, and design through the versatility of clay. Personal expression will be emphasized though representational and abstract approaches. Open to all levels and perfect for beginners. Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Colleen O'Donnell
Cost: $230
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

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

Come join us for an enjoyable watercolor journey! At the beginning of the class, I’ll begin with a demonstration that showcases the various techniques used in watercolor painting. Don't worry if you're new to this, as I’ll provide personalized lessons on different tips and techniques to enhance your painting skills. Not only will you learn and improve your artistic abilities, but you'll also have the chance to meet new people and create lasting memories. So come and join us for a delightful and enriching experience in the world of watercolor! All levels are welcome. Bring your own supplies or rent a Lender's Kit ($15 payable to the instructor).
 
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Gerilyn Gaskill
Cost: $42 ($35 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

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

During this one-day intensive workshop, Beth shares her unique technique with students. Beth will do a demo and show how she uses photography and simple apps on her phone to simplify forms enhance value and emphasize composition. She will also discuss how to pick objects that make an exciting still life set up. Students are encouraged to use water mixable (soluble) oils to get the most out of the workshop. Beth will have paint for her students to try as well as one of her prepared painting panels, brushes and other supplies for you to use during the workshop. This workshop is for all level of painters.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Beth Bathe
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Students will work on four different studies of fruits using Prism Colored Pencils. Learning by example, the students will complete four drawings by blending colors, shading and following reflection of light patterns. Become a better painter when learning basic shading and blending of colors! Bristol Paper will be provided.
 
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Joan Guerriero
Cost: $36 ($30 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

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

Step into the vibrant world of botanical art with nationally acclaimed artist and instructor Addison Palmer in this captivating one-day acrylic painting workshop dedicated to the beauty of flowers. Perfect for beginners and experienced painters alike, this hands-on class will teach you how to bring blossoms to life on canvas through masterful techniques in color mixing, composition, capturing organic forms, working with light and shadow, and building luminous layers that create depth and dimension. With Addison's attentive, individualized teaching approach, every student receives personalized feedback and guidance designed to nurture their unique artistic voice. You'll leave with a beautiful flower painting, a solid foundation in acrylic techniques, and the creative confidence to continue exploring botanical subjects long after the workshop concludes.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Addison Palmer
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

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

This workshop will focus on the problem of combining the genres of still-life and interior painting into a single picture. We will start by addressing the problem of finding a subject and the practical and formal problems of setting up a still life. We will discuss how to organize and simplify complex information, how to have a unified sense of light throughout the picture and how to perceive color and tone relationships. We will also cover aspects of drawing that will help in the creation of a convincing sense of space. Students are welcome to bring their own objects or work with objects on hand at the center.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Peter Van Dyck
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Working from still-life we will develop a vocabulary for clearer color thinking, and skills in seeing and using the subtle color changes in white. Color is a perceptual event: a sensation, not a theory. White, as the brightest and highest value, is the master of all the other colors. How does a painter become a colorist? It is not about using bright colors but about handling nuances and seeing color relationships, especially in the use of whites. Those subtle color changes require heightened sensitivity to all aspects of color; value, harmony and complementary, along with careful observation and response, and understanding how color and light function in both human vision and in paint.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Maggie Siner
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Because drapery captures gravity, weight and movement, it does a great deal of the work in making a convincing dynamic composition. Drapery can be manipulated and altered in ways that bodies can never be and yet define the forms of the body underneath. As it covers it also reveals. Fabric retains the gesture of movement, giving life to static forms. Changes of color on each turning plane are subtle, beautiful, and completely dependent on fabric texture. This gives tactile specificity for the sense of touch. Fabric suggests content, drama. Working from visual perception and studying light relationships we will use both still life and figure to simplify and extract the essentials of form and gesture for a unified and dramatic whole.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Maggie Siner
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Come & have an amazing time creating a beautiful sunflower painting using a palette knife. You'll see just how easy it is to blend colors using a palette knife. We'll be using some really rich and creamy paints to have a lot of textures, interesting effects, (some almost like acrylic pouring), and 3-D effects. You’ll learn how to layer your paint and achieve a 3-dimensional look using a palette knife. We'll be using a variety of palette knife techniques on canvas to create a beautiful floral piece, no experience necessary! Students should bring $20 cash to pay the instructor who will provide all materials needed.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Julie Schroeder
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Colored pencil is the ideal medium for creating stunning art, all in a portable, non-toxic, neat form. Kristy is the author of two colored pencil techniques books and is featured in four instructional films. She is a positive, supportive teacher who welcomes students with all levels of experience. With an emphasis on floral and landscape art with waxy (non-watercolor) pencils, students will create paintings (as these works are aptly called) on both white and colored surfaces, from velvety to sanded. The effects can range from soft and delicate to densely pigmented. Kristy offers demonstrations, personal attention, and a wealth of information. Enjoy free materials, such as papers, boards, blenders, and pencils. Welcome to a weekend of colored pencil inspiration!
 
Location: Valparaiso, Indiana
Instructor: Kristy A. Kutch, C.P.S.A.
Sponsor: Art Barn School of Art
Website, email, 219-462-9009

Learn to paint looser and more confidently during this four-day workshop with artist Sarah Sedwick. Take a step-by-step approach to alla prima oil painting, from black-and-white studies to brilliant color. Build a beautiful composition with life and movement, and get a new perspective on the still life. Instead of struggling with overworking your paintings, practice stopping sooner to keep the freshness you crave in your work! Explore how limitations can set you free, creating a painting in 20 brushstrokes, and another in 20 minutes. Learn the fundamentals of good design, and walk step-by-step through Sarah’s process, creating a dynamic still life from start to finish! Oils and acrylics are welcome - particularly Open acrylics, that stay wet longer.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Sarah Sedwick
Cost: $1,596
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389