Take the plunge to learn the fundamentals of watercolor through this beginner-friendly class designed for those with little or no painting experience! Acquire a thorough grounding in basic watercolor materials and techniques, including papers, brushes and pigments, as well as transparent and opaque painting methods. Gain the confidence to further your skills and enjoyment in the medium, in future studies or personal expression.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Tony Rosati
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

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

Three Days of Coastal Light, Rhythm, and Atmosphere. This intimate plein air atelier in Santa Barbara is designed for a small group of painters seeking a refined, focused, and elevated experience. Set within one of California’s most luminous coastal environments, the workshop offers carefully selected painting locations that balance natural beauty with architectural elegance. Over three days, participants work in a sequence of visually rich environments—coastal, maritime, and town-inspired—each chosen for its compositional potential and atmospheric nuance. Rather than chasing landmarks, the emphasis is on seeing: light, structure, rhythm, and the quiet poetry of place. Instruction is personal, deliberate, and deeply engaged. Demonstrations and one-on-one guidance focus on the essentials that distinguish accomplished plein air work.
 
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $675
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865

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 or $60 per session
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery & Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

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: $125 ($100 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

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

Geometry has been a source of interest, beauty and creative inspiration for the artist through the ages. Geometric forms, lines and shapes are all around us and can be seen in everything from architecture to plant life to seashells. Learn non-mathematical strategies inspired by geometry designed to enhance your ongoing body of work or be the starting point for a new one with focus on simplifying subject matter, building a unified composition and creating or enhancing a color palette. Work in the medium of your choice: acrylic, gouache or watercolor while working from your own reference photographs, drawings, books or digital imagery. Designed for both beginners and experienced art makers.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Smith
Cost: $175
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

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

Watercolor is a wonderful painting medium due to its vibrant and translucent nature, quick drying time, and easy set-up and clean-up. Explore this versatile medium a supportive and immersive environment! Focus will be color theory and brush work demonstrations as we explore the basics of color mixing, layering washes and a sense of touch. Learn to incorporate dry media into your painting including color pencil, watercolor pencil, and pastel! Painting from natural subject matter including still life, botanical studies and landscape. Drawing experience is helpful but not required.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michelle Oosterbaan
Cost: $250 or $60 per session
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

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

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: $250
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

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

Push your color and simplify forms in this one-day expressive workshop. Working from sunny landscape photography of your own, you will explore ways to use an arbitrary approach to color and create compositions in the style of fauvist painters Henri Matisse and Andre Derain. Plan to paint no larger than 11 x14. A demo and examples of their fauves will be shared to better understand this vibrant style of painting.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Abby Ober
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Stewart will show how to take advantage of the transparency of watercolor and the power of light on the paper.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Stewart White
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

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

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

Explore flowers and other natural forms, beginning with line and value drawing and progressing to full-color rendering in watercolor and mixed media.  Topics will include sighting techniques, line quality, tone and value, creation of depth, composition, texture, and basic color. All levels welcome. Tuition includes a $15 materials fee for floral subjects, provided.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Linda Gist
Cost: $465
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

In this fast paced and fun weekend workshop we discuss the importance of composition and design in our work and then apply what we’ve learned to a variety of subjects in the process exploring the magical qualities of watercolor.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Mick McAndrews
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This six-week on-campus studio-rental program is designed for experienced visual artists who desire constructive feedback on their artwork, as well as the support and interaction of an artistic community. Stimulate your personal artistic growth in your own private PAFA studio through individual weekly critiques from a stellar ensemble of notable artists, including members of PAFA’s acclaimed faculty, as well as discussion, group critiques, and artist studio visits. Tuition covers a personal studio in PAFA's Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, weekly critiques (one-on-one; one group critique), and additional group discussions and outings to museums and commercial galleries (scheduled per students' interests). This is an uninstructed program; as such, prior art-making experience and the ability to work independently are required.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: $1,350
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

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

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: James Toogood
Cost: $540
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

In this fast paced and fun weekend workshop we discuss the importance of composition and design in our work and then apply what we’ve learned to a variety of subjects to create works of sophisticated simplicity.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Mick McAndrews
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

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. Enjoy as much one-on-one guidance from Dennis as you like, plus inspiring mini demos, technique tips, and helpful critiques of 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. This class is appropriate for beginner painters, intermediate painters and advanced painters of any medium. The main purpose of this course is one-on-one assistance from the instructor with whatever you need help with (fixing, composition, specific subjects, etc.).
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dennis Lake
Cost: $150
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

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

This workshop explores the evocative world of nocturne painting through the delicate and expressive medium of watercolor. Focusing on landscape scenes at the edge of day—sunset, twilight, and night—students will learn to capture the silvery light and subtle atmospheric effects that define these transitional hours. Learn how to work with restrained hues and layered washes to create a sense of depth and unity, to suggest rather than describe subject matter. Instruction will emphasize tonalist concerns of working with muted color palettes, gentle value shifts, and harmonious compositions. Through individualized guidance, participants will hone their sensitivity to tonal relationships and the expressive potential of nocturne painting.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: James Toogood
Cost: $225
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

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

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

Escape the midweek hustle and treat yourself to a relaxing, inspiring evening. This two-hour adults-only art session is the perfect way to unwind, connect, and let your creativity flow in a calm, beach-inspired setting. With a complimentary glass of wine in hand, you’ll create amazing beach landscapes using simple watercolor wash techniques and contour line drawings. Learn how to capture the gentle movement of the ocean and the delicate beauty of seashells through expressive washes and elegant line work—you’ll be amazed by the results! This class is for all skill levels. Come relax, meet new friends, share a few laughs, and leave with a beautiful coastal-inspired artwork! Participants must be age 21+. All supplies included.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Debi West
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Learn how to paint beautiful landscapes on location! In this class, we will discuss the fundamentals of painting en plein air as well as more advanced topics like drawing, composition, and color theory. The first day will begin with a 30-minute lecture and discussion on the core concepts of plein air painting. This will be followed by a 2.5-hour painting demonstration. After a 1-hour lunch break, students will begin work on their own paintings while Marc gives individualized instruction. Class will end at 4pm, but students may continue to paint if they wish. Days 2 and 3 will follow a similar format. The class will end with a group critique and discussion.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Marc Anderson
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Dive into the vibrant world beneath the waves and discover the magic of watercolor like never before! Join acclaimed Minnesota-based artist Julie Schroeder for an immersive three-session workshop that will transform the way you approach watercolor painting. Working on half sheets of Arches 140lb cold press paper, you'll explore exciting mixed media techniques to create a stunning undersea coral reef scene bursting with life and color. This isn't your traditional watercolor class—prepare to splash, fling, drip, and splatter paint in gloriously loose, wet-into-wet applications that capture the fluid beauty of ocean life. Through step-by-step demonstrations and personalized instruction, Julie will guide you in developing a more spontaneous and confident painting style.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Julie Schroeder
Cost: $180 + $30 supply fee
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

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

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.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Nancy Carney
Cost: $300
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

In this workshop designed for intermediate level watercolor students, you’ll begin to see the world through a new lens—learning how to transform everyday reality into expressive, impressionistic paintings that evoke mood and atmosphere. The focus is not on replicating every detail, but on capturing the essence of your subject. Keiko will guide you from that first spark of inspiration through a process of simplification, leading to a compelling painting rich in composition and meaning. Key topics covered in this class include: • Creating a strong preliminary drawing and composition • Exploring a range of watercolor techniques and brush handling • Understanding what makes a strong design • Mastering the relationship between light and dark values • Balancing planning with intuition • Learning how to simplify and edit complex visual information
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Keiko Tanabe
Cost: $650
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738