Learn to use India ink and watercolor to create drama and mystery from nocturnal and low-light subjects in this one-day, intensive workshop! Develop a drawing on watercolor paper from your photo references then layer ink and watercolor to develop a deep, rich surface. Add gouache and drawing media for contrast and definition.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Kowbuz
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This course will provide hands-on experience using traditional dry media, such as graphite, colored pencils, chalk, and pastel, through water-soluble materials, such as watercolor, gouache and ink. There will be ample presentation, lecture, and demonstration of the wet/dry media techniques. Students will be guided in working from personal sketches, paintings, photography, and from recognized artworks as well as from observation. Students will be expected to provide basic materials that they already have and most paper. To ensure that all students can experience the various processes, the instructor will provide any materials that individual students do not have. Issues of form, spatial concepts, color, visual and critical thinking will be addressed through individual and group critiques.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jill A. Rupinski
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Master the Yeliseyev Method - Join Vlad for a 3-day workshop designed to sharpen your skills and spark your creativity. Using carefully selected photographs provided by Vlad, you’ll learn how to simplify complex scenes, identify focal areas, and bring your paintings to life with expressive light, color, and atmosphere. With the Yeliseyev Method, Vlad breaks watercolor painting into clear, achievable steps. You’ll explore: How to establish strong compositions and focal points; Techniques for mixing colors and balancing values; Confident, bold brushwork that gives your paintings energy; The finishing touches that unify and elevate your work. Entrance to the gardens and lunch included. Members receive discount.
 
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $680
Sponsor: Mounts Botanical Garden
Website, email, (561) 233.1775

A comprehensive examination of the history, theories, and practices of color in painting. This hands-on course focuses on the practical understanding and application of how to use color. Included are an overview of color history in painting and how it has evolved to the present, a survey of the major theories and their practical applications in art making, a hands-on study of the most useful color charts, gradations and mixing, studio exercises implementing the use of color aesthetics and practices in artmaking and visits to the PAFA museum to study and analyze color in masterworks. Projects include color in figures, portraits, landscapes, self-portraits, glazing, color expression and color in abstraction. Open to all media and levels of experience.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Al Gury
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Students will learn the structure of the portrait, the history of historic and contemporary portraiture, methods and materials of portraiture, and will be encouraged to develop a personal point of view in portrait painting. Issues of form, spatial concepts, color, andvisual and critical thinking will be addressed. Individual and group critiques will be conducted.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Douglas Martenson
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

In this class Chris will have 2 paintings prepared (floral & island landscape) to demonstrate the basics and more advanced techniques of painting with watercolors. Learn this intricate medium with this step-by-step approach. Chris will guide you through the techniques and help you develop skills needed to produce beautiful paintings. He will not only tell you how, but also show you! With just a few simple tools – water, pigments, brushes, and paper. In this beginner’s guide, we will explore the world of watercolor and delve into its many techniques! For more information about Chris, visit his website at www.dreyerdesign.com. Students taking this course should bring $20 cash to pay for materials, all of which will be provided for you.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Chris Dreyer
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Unleash your creativity in a fun, relaxed studio setting where you can paint your way! Choose your favorite medium—oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, or colored pencil—and dive into new projects or bring along unfinished pieces to refine. Enjoy as much one-on-one guidance from Dennis as you like, plus technique tips and helpful critiques to elevate your work. Whether your style leans toward realism, impressionism, or bold modern expression, this open painting session is your space to explore, create, and grow.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dennis Lake
Cost: $150 or $50 per week
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Enrich your knowledge of painting with an in-depth look at watercolor. Thoroughly investigate a wide range of watercolor materials and techniques from your choice of landscape, still life, portrait, and figure subjects. The course is designed to equip each participant with the knowledge and skills necessary to make accomplished, personally rewarding watercolor paintings. Open to watercolorists of all levels and to acrylic/oil painters looking to broaden their skills.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: James Toogood
Cost: $675
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Enrich your knowledge of painting with an in-depth look at watercolor. Thoroughly investigate a wide range of watercolor materials and techniques from your choice of landscape, still life, portrait, and figure subjects. The course is designed to equip each participant with the knowledge and skills necessary to make accomplished, personally rewarding watercolor paintings. Open to watercolorists of all levels and to acrylic/oil painters looking to broaden their skills.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: James Toogood
Cost: $675
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

If you’ve always wanted to paint with watercolors but were afraid to try, this very beginning class will introduce you to the joys of creating beautiful, glowing watercolor paintings. Using the elements and principles of design and composition, you’ll learn the following techniques: color mixing, wet-on-wet wash, wet-on-dry techniques, glazing, color charging, tricks with salt, oozles, scaping and much more. This class is designed for those with no watercolor experience, or those who have tried watercolor painting but need a refresher. There will be a printed handout with each class. Subjects include Landscapes and Still Life.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Nancy Carney
Cost: $300
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Unleash your creativity in a fun, relaxed studio setting where you can paint your way! Choose your favorite medium—oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, or colored pencil—and dive into new projects or bring along unfinished pieces to refine. Enjoy as much one-on-one guidance from Dennis as you like, plus technique tips and helpful critiques to elevate your work. Whether your style leans toward realism, impressionism, or bold modern expression, this open painting session is your space to explore, create, and grow.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dennis Lake
Cost: $200 or $50 per week
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

In this class Chris will have 2 paintings prepared (floral & island landscape) to demonstrate the basics and more advanced techniques of painting with watercolors. Learn this intricate medium with this step-by-step approach. Chris will guide you through the techniques and help you develop skills needed to produce beautiful paintings. He will not only tell you how, but also show you! With just a few simple tools – water, pigments, brushes, and paper. In this beginner’s guide, we will explore the world of watercolor and delve into its many techniques! For more information about Chris, visit his website at www.dreyerdesign.com. Students taking this course should bring $20 cash to pay for materials, all of which will be provided for you.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Chris Dreyer
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Chris will demonstrate multiple paintings (seascape, floral, & island theme) from beginning to completion. Areas of demonstrations and techniques will include, design, drawing, color, value, washes, glazing, wet in wet, masking, dry brush, lifting out and more. Chris will guide you through the techniques and help you develop skills needed to produce beautiful watercolor paintings. He will not only tell you how, but also show you! For more information about Chris, visit his website at www.dreyerdesign.com.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Chris Dreyer
Cost: $200
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Interested in learning or improving your watercolor skills? All materials and techniques will be discussed, including the selection of papers, brushes, and pigments, as well as transparent and opaque painting methods. Students will work from still-life subjects and/or their own source material. All levels welcome.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: James Toogood
Cost: $225
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Unleash your creativity in a fun, relaxed studio setting where you can paint your way! Choose your favorite medium—oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, or colored pencil—and dive into new projects or bring along unfinished pieces to refine. Enjoy as much one-on-one guidance from Dennis as you like, plus technique tips and helpful critiques to elevate your work. Whether your style leans toward realism, impressionism, or bold modern expression, this open painting session is your space to explore, create, and grow.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dennis Lake
Cost: $250 or $50 per week
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Explore the painting techniques of the masters who pioneered the 19th and 20th century American watercolor movement, including Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Edward Hopper, and Charles Demuth. Characterized by bright color and bold handling that includes accents of opaque watercolor and loose washes, work in this tradition captures subject matter with dazzling light-filled effects. Practice these classic methods and learn to incorporate them into your own artwork to achieve a greater freedom of expression as well as adaptability and control in the way that you paint. Demonstrations and art historical discussions will be combined with short and more extensive still life and self-portrait exercises. This course is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Richard Estell
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Absolutely no drawing experience necessary in David Lobenberg’s California Vibe Watercolor Portraiture™ workshop. He uses a reference photo and tracing technique that’s super simple to execute. The creativity and painting fun begins during the painting process! Through his step-by-step demonstrations and question-and-answer sessions, he leads artists down a path of expressive, energetic and evocative portrait painting. Lobenberg has over forty years of experience conducting both studio and plein air water media workshops across the United State, Canada as well as via zoom and his online California Vibe School of Watercolor™. David received his Master’s-in-Art degree from UCLA and has taught for seventeen years (now retired) as an adjunct art professor at Sacramento City College. For more information, visit lobenbergart.com
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: David Lobenberg
Cost: $575 Museum members/ $625 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372

Embody the spirit of spring with fresh and immediate painting! Learn to capture the essence of a living, botanical subject quickly and spontaneously in pencil and watercolor. This alla prima method can be used for preparatory studies for sustained paintings, compiling a field sketchbook, or as an end in itself. All levels welcome. Tuition includes a $10 materials fee to cover floral subjects.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Linda Gist
Cost: $205
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Mastering your watercolor skills with Yeliseyev Method. Join Vlad this spring for a special 3-day workshop in beautiful Sarasota, Florida. This workshop offers more than just painting outdoors—it’s an immersive introduction to the Yeliseyev Method, a proven approach to watercolor painting that has inspired students around the world. What makes this workshop special: Learn Vlad’s unique system that simplifies watercolor painting into clear steps, focusing on composition, value, and expressive color use; Step-by-Step Instruction – From selecting the best location and “point of view” to quick value sketching, Vlad will guide you through every stage; Personalized Feedback – Receive one-on-one instruction at the easel as you work on your own paintings.
 
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $625
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865

Clouds and trees are common and important features in landscape paintings, their masses frequently encompassing significant portions of the composition. But how does the artist imbue these elements with texture, individuality, and detail without making them appear contrived or overfussed? Examine types of cloud masses and how they may best be translated through additive and reductive methods. Explore means of mimicking organic tree forms through brush movement and how to use color and detail to suggest distance. Instruction includes painting demonstrations as well as a review of how master artists have represented these features in historic and contemporary works. Open to all levels. Demonstrations will be conducted in watercolor, but this class presents valuable information for painters of all media.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: James Toogood
Cost: $225
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Capture the small-town beauty Manayunk's hilly streets, rowhomes, and storefronts. Learn to create a convincing sense of space, light and time of day while depicting streetscapes, trees, water and sky. Color mixing and painting techniques for oils will be demonstrated, but all drawing/painting media are welcome. Located just 15 minutes outside of Philadelphia, Manayunk offers engaging urban and riverside neighborhood subjects with parking, shade, provisions and facilities available. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Larry Francis
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Water-based paints such as watercolor, gouache, and fluid acrylics are the perfect mediums for landscape painting in the open air! Work in your choice of these portable, fast-drying, and easy-to-clean-up alternatives to oils as you portray the beauty of spring in Philadelphia’s parks in your own personal style. Learn how to choose a composition and mix color for depth and expressive effects as you complete a series of rapid sketches and at least one sustained painting. Explore techniques for achieving transparency effects with stained gesso, working fat over lean, and rendering with ink over washes. Open to all levels. Painting locations feature shade, restrooms, and other amenities. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michelle Oosterbaan
Cost: $260
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Join us for an unforgettable watercolor experience in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where creativity meets culture. This workshop blends in-depth studio instruction with immersive exploration of one of America’s most iconic art towns. In this workshop, Carrie will share her signature techniques, including: Creating luminous layers with transparent watercolor; Mastering reflections, glass, and dramatic lighting; Building strong compositions with everyday objects; and Developing a narrative in still life through thoughtful design and color. Each day, you’ll work with Carrie in the studio to deepen your skills and bring a personal painting to life with hands-on guidance and feedback. The city is full of art galleries, restaurants, shops and museums. We will visit the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum together.
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Carrie Waller
Cost: $1,690
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-584-6919

Join veteran plein air artist Joe Sweeney for a unique opportunity to paint inside one of the oldest rowing clubs in Philadelphia: the Bachelors Barge Club on Boathouse Row. Work from picturesque views of the Schuylkill River with the benefit of full access to the historic building with access to the dock, rain-/sun-sheltered porch, and amenities including restrooms. Experienced guidance will cover tactics for working efficiently outdoors, selecting a composition, color mixing, and capturing time of day and atmospheric effects. Instruction and demonstrations will be geared toward acrylic, oil, and pastel painting, but experienced watercolorists are welcome to participate. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Joseph Sweeney
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

David goes beyond the basics and shows students how to construct strong, vibrant, personality-filled watercolor paintings. You will learn: how to find the essence of your subject matter; how to construct compelling compositions; to see shapes, not objects; how to create a color strategy; how to use frisket to achieve batik-like effects; the importance of value patterns in your work; and how to paint loosely while staying true to your subject matter. Daily one-on-one critiques and demos will be vital to helping you find your watercolor voice. We will paint in the studio each morning. You will have the choice every afternoon of a walking tour in Santa Fe with the tour leader or uninstructed painting time in the studio.
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: David Daniels
Cost: $1,690
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-584-6919

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

Learn to paint Loose Watercolor Florals, Landscapes, Figures and Portraits from internationally known artist, Janet Rogers, AWS. Workshop located at the historical La Fonda Hotel on the Santa Fe Plaza, close to restaurants, shopping and many hotels. Janet Rogers has been a working professional artist for over 34 years, and has achieved Signature Status in The American Watercolor Society, The Florida Watercolor Society, South Carolina Watercolor Society and others. She has garnered many awards over the years for her sensitive paintings of people which are spontaneous, direct, and expressive. Her workshops featuring impressions of people and also flowers are very popular across the United States, Canada, and in Europe. You can view her work at www.watercolorsbyrogers.com
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Janet Rogers, AWS, Instructor –
Cost: $600.00
Sponsor: Miriam Joseph
Website, email, 505-263-9137

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