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December 9-10, 2024
Join Art League instructor Joyce Nagel for this exciting 2 Half-Day Workshop for anyone wanting some awesome tips and tricks in painting or drawing the human portrait. Joyce will provide a demo at the beginning of the first day.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Joyce Nagel
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738
December 15, 2024
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
Tuesdays, January 7-28, 2025
Everyone can learn to draw, and finding your individual style is an exciting adventure. This course is designed to help beginners and others who want to polish up their drawing skills to become more confident and expressive. We will draw from nature, use man-made made materials, and learn different drawing techniques. Sharpen your pencils and get ready to draw!
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Joanna Chalson
Cost: $200
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738
Mondays, January 13-27, 2025
Paint with the medium of your choice (Oil, Watercolor, Acrylic, Pastel, Charcoal, Colored Pencil) in a relaxed atmosphere with as much instructor help as you want. Bring in new or unfinished work you want to do. Short demos, techniques, and critiques will be available to assist you. Realism, impressionism, or something more modern is all welcome. 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
Tuesdays or Thursdays, January 13 - May 2, 2025
Maintain your studio practice and push your work to new levels amidst a thriving arts environment of classes and working degree students on PAFA’s campus – with the benefit of the expert advice of PAFA’s leading critics! Students participating in this program will pursue their own independent work under the focused guidance of one critic, PAFA appointed faculty Jill A. Rupinski or Peter Van Dyck (selected during registration), for one-on-one critique and discussion four times per semester (once monthly). Possible additional group critique or other opporunities may be available, pending scheduling.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jill A. Rupinski or Peter Van Dyck
Cost: $2,275
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
January 19, 2025
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
January 21, 2025
This class is for those who would like to work in art but do not know where to start and/or with what mediums! We will start with pencils, charcoal and work our way through watercolor, acrylic, pastels and oil and any others that students may be interested in. Barb will explain the pros and cons of each of the mediums including prices and other materials you'll need for that medium, including, brushes, surfaces and framing. At the end of the session, students will have time to try them all on a small scale. In addition to the registration fee, students should bring $20 cash to pay the instructor for materials, all of which she will provide to you.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Barb Snow
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738
Tuesdays, January 21 - April 15, 2025
Join PAFA’s celebrated figurative tradition, combining Eakins-influenced historical techniques with contemporary approaches. Master the drawing elements of gesture, proportion, volume, anatomy, tone, and composition in charcoal and colored chalk on toned paper. Progress to oil painting materials and techniques, expanding from limited colors to a full palette. Ideal for all levels, with options to draw- or paint-only based on experience. Note: Tuition includes $75 models fee.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Douglas Martenson
Cost: $615
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
Tuesdays, January 21 - April 15, 2025
Explore the power and nuance of one of art’s most engaging subjects: the portrait. Investigate the structure, proportions, form, and anatomy of the human head through drawings and painted studies. Progress to finished paintings and address issues of likeness, composition, space, texture, and aspects of the clothed figure. Learn to better see and understand color to mix it more successfully, a useful skill for painting all subject matter. Designed students at all levels learning or pursuing work in oil, acrylic, or other media; students may draw-only if they wish. Note: Tuition includes $75 models fee.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Douglas Martenson
Cost: $615
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
January 23, 2025
Bring in those drawings or paintings that you would like help with or bring some ideas of a work you'd like to start. Each piece will be explored with individualized assistance and inspiration. Working alongside students, Jana demonstrates possibilities to practice and incorporate into your art. Other demonstrations will be offered throughout the day for inspiration and help in learning new skills. Breaking down seemingly complex problems into simple steps can help you see your work in a whole new way. You may work from your own photos or from creative still-life projects that will be set up in our workspace. We may even pair up and sketch each other for fun! This class is designed for intermediate and advanced students.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Jana Stiles
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738
Thursdays, January 23 - April 17, 2025
Develop your ability to render the human form through the time-honored combination of anatomical study and life drawing. Learn the methods and technical skills of traditional figure drawing, such as measuring, capturing gesture, anatomical structuring, and tonal rendering. Learn the structural aspects of the human form: basic landmarks, simplified volumes, and proportional relationships. Progress to the skeletal framework and superficial muscles to identify their surface effects and how they influence mass and movement. Capture the fluidity, vitality, and subtleties of the human form while working from the life model in short and extended poses. This course is ideal for anyone interested in strengthening their figure drawing, painting, or sculpture skills, as well as for those interested in future medical illustration.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: John Horn
Cost: $615
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
Thursdays, January 23 - February 27, 2025
If you’ve never drawn before, or your skills are a little rusty, then this class is for you! Learn to draw what you see with confidence. Work from simple forms, still life arrangements, and interior and exterior spaces to master the drawing elements: shape, contour line, composition, light and dark, texture and perspective. Instruction will guide students through sight-drawing and measuring techniques, use of materials, gauging value, and ways of defining form and space. This course is excellent as a foundation for future study, as a precursor to more advanced drawing study or to painting and other disciplines. Note: This part 1 course does not include work from models.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
Thursdays, January 23 - April 24, 2025
Taking the leap to start or cultivate an art-making practice in a private studio space can be both exciting and daunting. Learn how to create work and stay motivated on your own terms in this new and unique combination studio-rental and classroom course! Tuition for this fifteen-week/full-semester program will confer an individual studio space in PAFA’s Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, as well as weekly meetings for critique and instruction on a variety of artist’s concerns led by artist-instructor/critic Roger Chavez. Weekly meetings will feature both one-on-one critiques/discussions as well as group instruction on art topics designed to motivate and assist you in your work, including drawing sessions from models, assignment prompts, materials and techniques demonstrations, museum visits, and critiques from guest critics.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Roger Chavez
Cost: $2,275
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
Saturdays, January 25 - March 1, 2025
Painting the human form from observation is one of the cornerstones of PAFA's long tradition of rigorous instruction. Working from the nude model in poses of varying lengths, investigate color mixing, proportion, and composition using oil paint as a medium. Focusing on alla prima painting techniques and a limited flesh-tone palette, learn to model the human form through gesture, shape, volume, and temperature – excellent for painted sketches and preparatory studies, foundations for extended work, or an introduction/refresher to figure painting. Intended for all skill levels, this course also offers the valuable opportunity for more advanced students to continue to hone their skills. Instruction will be geared toward oil, but students may draw-only, or use other appropriate media, if they wish.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: David Wilson
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
Sundays, January 26 - April 6, 2025
Explore historic and modern methods of drawing in this deep dive into its materials and techniques. Examine both realistic and expressionistic approaches through topics of line, form, and value, utilizing visual examples from the Renaissance to the modern eras. Survey staple artist’s materials including charcoal and graphite pencil, and pastel, as well as methods for watercolor and acrylic incorporations of color and mixed media. Weekly Zoom presentations will feature visual histories, examples, explanations of techniques, and demonstrations. Additional presentations will be posted along with weekly drawing projects that will be critiqued by the instructor. This course contains valuable information for both beginners as well as experienced artists interested in expanding the creative possibilities of drawing in their work.
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Al Gury
Cost: $395
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
Mondays, February 3-24, 2025
Paint with the medium of your choice (Oil, Watercolor, Acrylic, Pastel, Charcoal, Colored Pencil) in a relaxed atmosphere with as much instructor help as you want. Bring in new or unfinished work you want to do. Short demos, techniques, and critiques will be available to assist you. Realism, impressionism, or something more modern is all welcome. 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: $200
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738
Thursdays, February 6 - April 17, 2025
Drawing from the portrait and life model is one of the most time-honored methods of art training at PAFA. Improve your observation-based drawing skills as you work in charcoal and graphite directly from life models in short and long poses, exploring gesture, proportions, anatomy and expression. All levels welcome. Note: Tuition includes a $65models fee.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Cost: $515
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
February 8-9, 2025
Using inexpensive materials, this hands-on workshop will introduce the concepts and methods needed to create a strong sense of dimension and likeness in your portrait drawings. Explore the proportions and planes of the head, neck and shoulders. Learn how to create a structural foundation and how to easily manage anatomy by breaking down forms into simple geometric shapes. Instruction will address different strategies for creating a finished tonal portrait as well as tips and tricks that will help you draw like a pro! Note: Tuition includes a $10 models fee.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: RA Friedman
Cost: $205
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
Saturdays, February 8 - April 12, 2025
Learn the fundamentals of drawing with the vibrancy of colored pencil! Work from still life objects and arrangements, natural and urban landscape window views, and clothed portrait/figure models to explore descriptive and expressive line quality, light/shadow, composition, color relationships, cross-hatching and layering methods, as ways to render scenic form and space. Instruction will guide students through observational sighting and measuring techniques and color theory essentials to achieve a sense of realism and to serve as a solid foundation for future study. Tuition includes a $25 models fee.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michelle Oosterbaan
Cost: $475
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
February 11, 2025
This class is for those who would like to work in art but do not know where to start and/or with what mediums! We will start with pencils, charcoal and work our way through watercolor, acrylic, pastels and oil and any others that students may be interested in. Barb will explain the pros and cons of each of the mediums including prices and other materials you'll need for that medium, including, brushes, surfaces and framing. At the end of the session, students will have time to try them all on a small scale. In addition to the registration fee, students should bring $20 cash to pay the instructor for materials, all of which she will provide to you.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Barb Snow
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738
February 13, 2025
In this 1-Day workshop, Karen will lead students through her process of drawing the portrait from the initial measurements to the final stages of refining. Using a photo reference, she will begin with teaching strategies to accurately draw the head, place the features and indicate the major light and shadow shapes. Karen will demonstrate how to define the shadow and light regions which give the illusion of form. She will show how she compresses values for a strong design and how she makes corrections throughout, achieving an unmistakable likeness of her subject. Students also have the option to sign up for Karen’s 3-Day follow-up workshop, Painting the Portrait in Pastel.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Karen Wilharm
Cost: $175
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738
February 18-26, 2025
Join our unique art workshop in South America and experience the stunning Caribbean coast from Puerto Colombia (Barranquilla) to Cartagena. Learn perspective drawing and the fundamentals of watercolors and taste the best of Colombian Caribbean food and culture. After an art class, try a "mojarra con arroz con coco" with a cold Colombian beer. Sketch on the beach, attend cooking demonstrations by local chefs, join a street food tour, and more. The price of CAD 3050 per person (around US$2250) includes eight-night double accommodation in well rated hotels, all ground transportation, all breakfasts, one lunch, two suppers, one street food tour, art instruction, cooking presentations, art supplies, and more. Single rooms available for CAD 810 (around US$ 600).
Location: Cartagena, Colombia
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$2250
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789
February 25, 2025
Bring in those drawings or paintings that you would like help with or bring some ideas of a work you'd like to start. Each piece will be explored with individualized assistance and inspiration. Working alongside students, Jana demonstrates possibilities to practice and incorporate into your art. Other demonstrations will be offered throughout the day for inspiration and help in learning new skills. Breaking down seemingly complex problems into simple steps can help you see your work in a whole new way. You may work from your own photos or from creative still-life projects that will be set up in our workspace. We may even pair up and sketch each other for fun! This class is designed for intermediate and advanced students.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Jana Stiles
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738
Mondays, March 3-31, 2025
Paint with the medium of your choice (Oil, Watercolor, Acrylic, Pastel, Charcoal, Colored Pencil) in a relaxed atmosphere with as much instructor help as you want. Bring in new or unfinished work you want to do. Short demos, techniques, and critiques will be available to assist you. Realism, impressionism, or something more modern is all welcome. 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: $250
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738
March 4, 2025
We've all done it - scribbled mindlessly on scraps of paper, or on the edges of workbooks or on napkins at a restaurant. So what's a doodle or zentangle, and why are they important? This workshop will show you how to effectively doodle, noodle & zentangle! Students finish the day with a piece of abstract art. This workshop came about from Joan's own personal experience as a stalled artist. She was forced to put off working on her art for years due to responsibilities in the "real" world. However, once awarded the chance to start working on her art again, she was terrified and stuck. Doodling opened the door and Joan came pouring out. Students should bring $20 for materials.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Joan Moreau McKeever
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738
Saturdays, March 8-29, 2025
This course of study is designed for students who are ready to take their drawing & painting skills to a higher-level incorporating methods that have been passed down through the ages. These methods offer a much more efficient and effective way to achieve life-like, 3 dimensional-appearing results and a level of refinement. If you have a strong desire to hone your skills and try a different way of seeing, drawing, and painting this is a potentially on-going course that can help you achieve a level of mastery that is well beyond the usual. Group and individualized instructions will be used with demonstrations and drawing/painting-along-side-you assistance. Practice and critiques between classes is offered and encouraged.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Jana Stiles
Cost: $200
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738
March 11, 2025
This class is for those who would like to work in art but do not know where to start and/or with what mediums! We will start with pencils, charcoal and work our way through watercolor, acrylic, pastels and oil and any others that students may be interested in. Barb will explain the pros and cons of each of the mediums including prices and other materials you'll need for that medium, including, brushes, surfaces and framing. At the end of the session, students will have time to try them all on a small scale. In addition to the registration fee, students should bring $20 cash to pay the instructor for materials, all of which she will provide to you.
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Barb Snow
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738
Thursdays, March 13 - April 17, 2025
For students seeking to expand their beginning drawing skills or those new to working from the figure, this class will focus on applying drawing’s basic elements to the human form. Starting with sculpture from PAFA’s cast collection and progressing to work from the life model in short and long poses, work in charcoal and graphite to explore figure-based concepts of gesture, proportions, anatomy, and expression. Instruction will cover sight-drawing and measuring techniques, use of materials, gauging value, and ways of defining form and space. This course is excellent as a foundation for future study in any discipline or for more advanced figure-based work. Note: This part 2 course includes the use of nude models. Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
March 15-16, 2025
Perspective is at the heart of good drawing. It allows us to transform the 3D world into a believable 2D image, and it need not be difficult to understand. With still life and interiors as subject matter, learn basic principles and simple methods presented in clear language and without the need for special tools or complex geometry. This workshop serves as a good foundation for further study in drawing. A modest amount of previous drawing experience is recommended.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
Saturdays, March 15 - April 19, 2025
Paint from a life model in poses of varying lengths to develop and refine your figure painting compositions. Extended poses will allow students to adjust and resolve issues of surface, color, and composition. Instruction will cover a variety of topics including glazing, broken color, surface texture, composition and design, the relationship of the figure to the environment, the creation of atmosphere and color harmony, disrupted realism, and open- versus closed-form painting. All levels welcome. Instruction will be geared toward oil, but students are welcome to draw-only, or use other appropriate media, if they wish. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: David Wilson
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
March 23, 2025
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
March 29-30, 2025
This intensive workshop is designed for those looking to push their portrait drawing abilities toward the professional level. Demonstrations and in-class exercises will open up how you see, think, and approach the creation of a likeness, avoiding common pitfalls. Explore subtleties of form and the relationships of lines, planes and tones, capturing the character and energy of the subject. Additionally, instruction will cover facial expressions and deep anatomy of the face, neck, and upper body. Drawing will be primarily in graphite pencil and stick. Introductory portrait drawing or equivalent recommended.Note: Tuition includes a $10 models fee.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: RA Friedman
Cost: $205
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
April 4-5, 2025
Water soluble drawing pencils combine the control of drawing with watercolor's fluid grace. Neatly packaged within a highly-pigmented point, this medium offers an abundance of possibilities. From light, transparent color to fluid rich, dense, saturated effects, the watercolor pencil truly delivers. Apply the pigment as a dry drawing, then dissolve with a damp brush. Grate, spatter, even blow the pigmented wash for unique, dramatic effects. Kristy, an author and experienced workshop instructor, provides numerous demonstrations on various compatible surfaces, with plenty of supportive individual attention. The class will also receive a generous supply of sample products. With delicious lunches included, this promises to be an enjoyable workshop in a peaceful country setting!
Location: Valparaiso, Indiana
Instructor: Kristy Ann Kutch, C.P.S.A.
Sponsor: The Art Barn School of Art
Website, email, 219-462-9009
Sundays, April 6 - May 18, 2025
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
April 6-10, 2025
Join me for 4 days of sketching with watercolor in beautiful Sonoma. We’ll enjoy the free-flowing and colorful nature of watercolor at its best while sketching and having fun! I’ll help you develop observation skills, color awareness, simple design principles and learn about light and shadows. We’ll investigate various techniques, sketching tools, and approaches to watercolor. Enjoy time with fellow artists, instruction and friendly critiques.
Location: Sonoma, California
Instructor: Brenda Swenson
Cost: $1,590
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713
April 6-11, 2025
Discover Venice through the eye of an artist on this unique Watercolour Retreat. Immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere and picturesque beauty of the ancient city. 'La Serenissima', as Venice is also known, has inspired painters throughout centuries like no other place in the world. Watercolour artist and tutor John Skelcher will guide you through the processes and techniques of capturing the very essence of the Venetian grandeur with its winding canals and dreamy views across the lagoon. The are many quaint and tranquil spots, hidden away from the hustle and bustle, the perfect locations for and beginner and experienced artist alike for capturing the timeless charm of this magical city. Accommodation, tuition, breakfast and dinners, art materials incl.
Location: Venice, Italy
Instructor: John Skelcher
Cost: From: € 2.150
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +39-334-903-4401
April 11-16, 2025
Explore the magnificent Cinque Terre region on a fantastic artistic retreat. Monterosso al Mare is the perfect location for exploring the colourful buildings, coastal scene and atmospheric sunsets through the eye of an art, whilst soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the classic Italian ‘La dolce vita’ life-style, with relaxed meals and aperitivi. After your painting sessions, there is time to explore the coastal towns and walks, as well as relaxing on the beach. This retreat is a creative experience with a truly personal and luxurious touch.
Location: Cinque Terre, Italy
Instructor: John Skelcher
Cost: € 2.250
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +39-334-903-4001
April 11-15, 2025
Join me for 4 days of sketching with watercolor in beautiful Sonoma. We’ll enjoy the free-flowing and colorful nature of watercolor at its best while sketching and having fun! I’ll help you develop observation skills, color awareness, simple design principles and learn about light and shadows. We’ll investigate various techniques, sketching tools, and approaches to watercolor. Enjoy time with fellow artists, instruction and friendly critiques.
Location: Sonoma, California
Instructor: Brenda Swenson
Cost: $1,590
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713
April 13, 2025
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
April 17-24, 2025
Artist Table is returning to the USA! In April we will meet in Central Florida with a new retreat concept, a luxury hotel, lush surroundings, and an immersive art experience. We will sketch, paint, and develop new skills as we travel around the beautiful community of The Villages, surrounded by lakes, tropical landscapes, and quaint town squares. Painting around the nature and water streams of the Villages. Also offering an Encaustic workshop given by a local artist. A visit to Walt Disney's EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, three meals a day, lodging, and transport are included. This all-inclusive art retreat, delicious meals, exclusive day trips, and art-making. It will be a trip you won't forget.
Location: The Villages, Florida
Instructor: Tali Farchi Kathleen keller
Cost: $3100
Sponsor: Tali Farchi ArtisTTable
Website, email, +1 (321) 262 9236 or +31 6 24903316
April 22-28, 2025
The artist’s book combines words and images in a structure that reinforces the ideas it contains. Inspired by our experiences in Italy, we fill books that will be a repository for our week together in Cortona. We will begin by talking about travel journals, documenting your experiences on this trip. We will integrate our imagery with handwritten text to design a book further develops the ideas. Whether traditional or contemporary, your book will be an expression of your own ideas, leaving ample room for experimentation and individual expression. Field trips to museums and outlying areas around Cortona will supplement our wanderings among the village itself, giving us ample inspiration for our books.
Location: Cortona, Italy
Instructor: Annie Cicale
Cost: From US$3,990.00 All-inclusive except airfare
Sponsor: Toscana Americana Workshops
Website, email, 978-407-7127
April 25-28, 2025
This class is for those who are fascinated with capturing the likeness and character of a person. From observation of the live model, we will examine the effect of light on form, practice color mixing techniques to achieve realistic and nuanced complexions, and discuss the use of atmosphere. While the primary medium is oil painting, participants are welcome to use drawing, pastels, or acrylics.
Regardless of your stage of development, specific information will be given to you through each phase of creating a painting. All students will be given individual attention to help reach your personal goals. Be prepared to work hard, make new friends and best of all have fun.
Location: Newfane, Vermont
Instructor: Laurel Stern Boeck
Cost: $1,485 per person
Sponsor: Willow
Website, email, 914-420-6199
April 26, 27, May 3
Join renowned artist Patrick Byrnes for an engaging 3-session workshop, designed to focus specifically on the early, essential stages of self-portrait drawing. This course emphasizes the critical foundations—proportion, structure, and the subtle interpretation of light and shadow—that set the stage for a successful portrait. Whether you’re new to portrait drawing or looking to refine your approach, this workshop will help you build confidence and precision from the ground up. Patrick’s step-by-step approach ensures you develop these skills effectively. The course offers a blend of live demonstrations and interactive Q&A, making learning both immersive and accessible. In addition, you’ll receive personalized feedback tailored to your individual progress, addressing specific challenges while reinforcing your strengths.
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Patrick Byrnes
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email
April 26 - May 3, 2025
Join Botanical Artist Ann Swan, RHS Gold Medalist and author of ‘Botanical Painting with Coloured Pencils’ for a week of Botanical drawing with a specific focus on creating contrast using coloured pencils. In this workshop Ann will show you how to interpret light and shade and to accurately capture contrasting tonal values to create a true sense of three-dimensional form and volume in your work. Ann will demonstrate ways of creating realistic highlights and sheen and help you choose convincing shade colours to create depth in shadows whilst maintaining vibrant colours so that your work will come to life on the page.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Ann Swan
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + £400 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
Saturdays, April 26 - May 10, 2025
Sketching is the foundation for any artist's practice. A few thumbnail sketches can be the start to a larger project by triggering an idea or capturing a place or object. Using your surroundings as well as arranged still lifes as your subject, learn to consider line, value, shape and light as means of efficiently encapsulating both places/objects and your emotional response. Topics of discussion and exploration will include how master artists have used the sketch in their own practice and each student’s goals for their current work. This engaging class is for both the beginner and the seasoned artist.
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Susan Sullivan
Cost: $175
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
May 4-9, 2025
Join me for an unforgettable painting holiday in Santa Fe, a region famous for its stunning scenery and captivating light. During the workshop, all of the logistics will be taken care of by my good friends at French Escapade. All we have to do is relax and enjoy our days spent sketching in this strikingly beautiful part of New Mexico. We’ll have plenty of time to capture once-in-a-lifetime experiences on the pages of our watercolor journals. My teaching will focus on illustrated watercolor journaling. You’ll learn how to add style and interest to your sketchbook pages through the use of unique page layouts and borders, and we’ll cover several fun new lettering styles. I’ll offer daily demonstrations of painting techniques.
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Leslie Fehling
Cost: $1,690
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713
May 12-17, 2025
Join us on our visits to the picturesque towns along the Amalfi coast, such as Positano and Sorrento. We'll stop at bottegas for tasting the world-famous local Limoncello, admiring the traditional local maiolica (ceramics) and treat ourselves to little breaks for aperitivi, fully indulging in the spirit of Italian life. Around every corner, there are views waiting to be captured, from coastal views to colourful buildings and little harbours. Stunning views across the Gulf of Naples from the terraces of the historic villa that is home to our retreat, are the perfect backdrop for our morning demonstrations, before heading out to explore the towns along the Amalfi Coast. Accommodation, half-board, tuition and all materials included.
Location: Sorrento, Italy
Instructor: John Skelcher
Cost: from € 2.350
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +39-334903-4401
May 18-27, 2025
We explore the dramatic landscape of Doolin, County Clare, Ireland and translate its landscape, energy and lore into visual artwork. Our time together will be a balance between group excursions, individual exploration, and creation coupled with sharing and diving deeper into technique. We will establish a shared studio space as a center of operation as artists of any level work together in their preferred Media.
Included in the retreat are 4 art workshops with Martin Bridge; field trips; 2 meals/day; housing and publication in an anthology of creativity (subject to vetting)—join us for this retreat of like-minded individuals connecting in various ways to the land in this very special place.
Location: Doolin, Ireland
Instructor: Martin Bridge
Cost: $1500-$2500 depending on accommodations
Sponsor: NatureCulture, and The Milk House
Website, email, 413-475-0650
ongoing
It's never too late to create! When available, we keep registration open in our art classes so you may join a class that has already started. Don't worry, we will catch you up! Taste it all in this drawing and painting class for beginners! Artistic expression in the form of painting and drawing expression is exciting, energizing, and incredibly freeing! Discover your authentic inner-artist and your creative passion in this popular ongoing beginner’s art class. Discover art techniques including color mixing, composition, paint application, personal self-expression, line, form, shading and more! Get inspired from subject matter such as still life, landscape, abstraction, realism, and your personal creativity. Classes are offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Location: Bryan, Texas
Cost: $35 per class
Sponsor: Degallery
Website, email, +1(979)704-3090
ongoing
Are you a creator, artist and storyteller? Explore your interest in captivating illustrations and stories. through our cartoon and anime classes. Classes are offered on Fridays.
Location: Bryan, Texas
Cost: $30 per class or $85/month
Sponsor: Degallery
Website, email, +1(979)704-3090
ongoing
Open studio Painting/Drawing for all levels of artists from 14 years old to 104 years old. Pick your project and enjoy painting/drawing with the help of a professional artist. Classes are offered on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
Location: Bryan, Texas
Cost: $35 per class
Sponsor: Degallery
Website, email, +1(979)704-3090
May 23-30, 2025
PleinAir
This retreat will take you to the same places where Van Gogh and Cézanne painted many of their masterpieces. You will be inspired by the rich locations of Arles,
Saint Remi, and Aix-en-Provence. Your Hosts Tali Farchi (NL) and Shay Avivi (IL) are accomplished painters and teachers, providing art instruction to enrich your creative process. They’ll share information about these master's lives and how they worked. The ArtisTTable has hosted hundreds of artists of all levels and backgrounds. During this retreat, we will stay in the center of Arles giving easy access to this historic city. This all-inclusive art retreat boasts delicious meals, exclusive day trips, and lots of art-making. It will be a trip you won't forget.
Location: Arles Provence, France
Instructor: Tali Farchi, Shay Avivi
Cost: €3,200 (early bird €2990)
Sponsor: Tali Farchi Artist Table
Website, email, +31 6 24903316
May 23, 2025
Capture the active life of the city and its rich architecture. This is an excellent workshop for anyone who wants to learn to sketch on the bus or train, in cafés and public parks, or while traveling abroad. Topics include perspective, gauging proportions by eye, gesture figure drawing, and methods for simplifying form. All levels welcome.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $115
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632
ongoing
These classes are for older kids who enjoy art and wish to improve their skills. Painting (oil, acrylic, watercolors), drawing, sculpture, and many other creative techniques will be taught in these advanced classes. The classes are led by a well-known local artist whose work is represented in major galleries in the US and Europe. His sculpture is featured at the entrance of the College Station airport. Classes are offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Location: Bryan, Texas
Cost: $30 per class or $85/month
Sponsor: Degallery
Website, email, +1(979)704-3090
ongoing
In this exciting and inspiring art adventure for budding artists, teens will tap into their creativity as they learn to express themselves through art. Receive one-on-one customized art instruction with professional artists. Explore a variety of painting, drawing and mixed-media art projects, materials and technique. Explore acrylic paint on canvas, oil pastels, charcoal, mixed-media expression, ink, portraiture and more! Learn artistic techniques such as line quality, composition, shading, texture, personal expression, color, art history, realism, abstraction and more! Celebrate with a group art exhibition of artwork created. Classes are offered on Mondays and Saturdays.
Location: Bryan, Texas
Cost: $35 per class or $95/month
Sponsor: Degallery
Website, email, +1(979)704-3090
May 25-30, 2025
Why flowers? I have always been drawn to painting flowers in my work. To me, flowers represent the healing power of beauty. I believe that the world could use a little more beauty (and art). I am delighted to share my love of flowers and my process of painting with all of you! Come arrange, sketch and paint flowers with me. During this five-day intensive workshop, we will explore shape, line, and color through a variety of expressions, including sketching, collage, and painting. We will use mixed media techniques to layer and create beautiful expressive florals. I will be walking artists through exercises to loosen up their process, create from a place of joy, play with color, and explore composition.
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Wendy Brightbill
Cost: $1144 + Materials fee
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-916-0514
May 26 - June 2, 2025
Join me for one week of sketching with watercolor in beautiful Provence! Drawing while traveling is the best way to experience and remember a new place. Traveling is also a perfect opportunity to learn or hone your drawing skills. When we see new sights everything strikes us as unusual, memorable and inspiring. We have a natural desire to admire new vistas, taste new flavors, inhale unusual aromas and record these sensations through taking photos, but also through drawing and writing. For me, drawing while traveling is instinctual, and I am eager to share my passion to fully immerse yourself in a new place through the practice of travel sketching.
Location: Fontaine de Vaucluse, France
Instructor: Rita Sabler
Cost: $3,940 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713
May 26 - June 2, 2025
Italy with artist Sharon Rusch Shaver. This workshop is for all levels of experience in a painting medium of your choice. Sharon Rusch Shaver is an award-winning oil and watercolor artist who has organized unique destination painting adventures since 1996. Sharon teaches en-Plein air painting and shares her unique ability to capture a scene quickly as the light changes. This is a fun and loose painting approach that will make you excited and enjoy every moment! Accommodations are chosen for authenticity and comfort. Our hillside Villa located above the Amalfi Coast is a painter's dream. Included: Ground transfers, breakfast, lunches, welcome dinner, private en-suite accommodations, AC, pool, jacuzzi, and sauna overlooking the Italian countryside. Join us!
Location: Torchiara, Italy
Instructor: Sharon Rusch Shaver
Cost: $3,970
Sponsor: sharonruschshaver
Website, email, 615-579-8841
May 28 - June 4, 2025
Join Alison for a week of joyful exploration of Place, in the beautiful city of Cortona in the heart of Tuscany. In ancient squares, by fountains or in cafes, Alison will show you simple ways to capture buildings and include figures in your sketches. Overlooking vineyards and far off hills, we’ll explore how to simplify the scene to focus on important elements and create depth. Drawing and painting on loose pages rather than in a
watercolour journal, allows us to loosen up and have fun with experimental techniques and a variety of media.
We’ll work with watercolour, pen, ink, marker, on different papers, to create images, which we will curate into your personal concertina art book of your Cortona experience.
Location: Cortona, Italy
Instructor: Alison Watt
Cost: From US$3,850.00 All-inclusive except airfare
Sponsor: Toscana Americana Workshops
Website, email, 978-407-7127
May 30 - June 4, 2025
Explore the magnificent Cinque Terre region on a fantastic artistic retreat. Monterosso al Mare is the perfect location for exploring the colourful buildings, coastal scene and atmospheric sunsets through the eye of an art, whilst soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the classic Italian ‘La dolce vita’ life-style, with relaxed meals and aperitivi. After your painting sessions, there is time to explore the coastal towns and walks, as well as relaxing on the beach. This retreat is a creative experience with a truly personal and luxurious touch.
Location: Cinque Terre, Italy
Instructor: John Skelcher
Cost: € 2.250
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +39-3349034401
June 7-14, 2025
During this week of Botanical Sketching and Painting in the French Pyrénées with Lara Call Gastinger we will be observing, drawing and painting the local flora of Atelier Clos Mirabel. We will go through the process of how to create a botanical painting, starting with sketching and learning the important characteristics of plants. We will seek botanical inspiration from the acreage of Atelier Clos Mirabel and with a trip to the blooming meadows of the Pyrénées. After the first day of sketching, we will focus on using watercolours to capture the colours and textures of the plants. In the end, we will work on composition and how to create a finished botanical painting. All levels are welcome.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Lara Call Gastinger
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 450€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
June 9-15, 2025
Join us on this fantastic art & gourmet sea-side retreat at the Riviera delle Palme, in the heart of Italy. We will spend six days creating beautiful watercolour paintings, capturing the infinite beauty of classic Italian scenes that surrounds us. We will be indulging in Italy’s delicious flavours & wines. Get hands on with truffle hunting and cooking and paint & sip in hill-side vineyards. Daily painting sessions, will take place in our studio, and there will be opportunities to make studies and paint on our excursions along the seaside, and to the countryside- and charming hill-top villages and towns.
Location: Riviera delle Palme, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
Instructor: John Skelcher
Cost: From €2.400
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +39-334-903-4401
June 14-21, 2025
Join Catherine Watters for one week of drawing and painting the incredibly diverse flora of Clos Mirabel, using watercolours and/or coloured pencils to capture the colours and textures of the plants. Discover the fascinating world of Botanical Art, starting with a walk around the magnificent property to choose your subject. A variety of plants will be in bloom including Roses, Hydrangeas, Iris, Lupin, Lilies and numerous fruits and vegetables growing in the Orchard. Catherine will introduce her 10 stages to successfully illustrate a subject. You will carefully observe, measure and draw your subject focusing on form, light and texture. All levels of experience are welcome.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Catherine Watters
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 450€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
June 14-21, 2025
Join me for a week in Provence, where we will spend our week traveling and sketching and capturing all our experiences in our sketchbook. We will sometimes sketch quick vignettes on the go, and at other times, we will paint more immersive panoramas where we slow down to capture the essence of place in a single piece. Our travels will take us to beautiful riverside villages, lavender fields, cliffs of ochre and gardens where Van Gogh sketched. There will be markets and town squares to draw in and gourmet food to enjoy and capture in our sketches. All in all, you are promised a week filled with rich experiences and lots of art tips to up your travel-sketching game!
Location: Provence, France
Instructor: Suhita Shirodkar
Cost: $3,940 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713
June 14-22, 2025
The unique aspect of this tour is the opportunity to explore two incredible countries in a single trip, witnessing the diversity of landscapes, architecture, and culture as you hop between the Netherlands and Belgium. You'll be guided by our knowledgeable instructor, Vlad, along with wonderful local guides. Are you ready to embark on a journey that combines art, history, delicious cuisine, and unforgettable camaraderie? Look no further! Vlad's Painting and Cultural Tour in the Netherlands and Belgium promises to be the highlight of your summer. We invite you to check out the itinerary for this trip to explore the exciting activities and destinations we have planned.
Location: Bruges & Ghent, Belgium
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $3,950.00
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865
June 14-22, 2025
The unique aspect of this tour is the opportunity to explore two incredible countries in a single trip, witnessing the diversity of landscapes, architecture, and culture as you hop between the Netherlands and Belgium. You'll be guided by our knowledgeable instructor, Vlad, along with wonderful local guides. Are you ready to embark on a journey that combines art, history, delicious cuisine, and unforgettable camaraderie? Look no further! Vlad's Painting and Cultural Tour in the Netherlands and Belgium promises to be the highlight of your summer. We invite you to check out the itinerary for this trip to explore the exciting activities and destinations we have planned.
Location: Leiden, The Netherlands
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $3,950.00
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865
June 15-21, 2025
Join us on this fantastic Art & Wellness retreat at the beautiful sea-side at Italy’s Riviera delle Palme. We will spend six days painting, learning about the best ways to increase our creative brain and physical energy through the mediterranean diet brain-health focused exercises practicing beach Qui-Gong and Tai Chi. No Wellness retreat would be complete without a spa visit with reflexology of course. Deliciously healthy, fresh food is key to maintaining and improving creativity in all stages of live.We will get inspired by the infinite beauty of the classic Italian scenes that surround us from vineyards surrounded by ancient hill-top towns and panoramic coastal scenes. Here is all of Italy in magnificent panoramic views.
Location: Riviera delle Palme, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
Instructor: John Skelcher
Cost: From €2.400
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +39-334-903-4401
June 27 - July 2, 2025
Explore the magnificent Cinque Terre region on a fantastic artistic retreat. Monterosso al Mare is the perfect location for exploring the colourful buildings, coastal scene and atmospheric sunsets through the eye of an art, whilst soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the classic Italian ‘La dolce vita’ life-style, with relaxed meals and aperitivi. After your painting sessions, there is time to explore the coastal towns and walks, as well as relaxing on the beach. This retreat is a creative experience with a truly personal and luxurious touch.
Location: Cinque Terre, Italy
Instructor: John Skelcher
Cost: € 2.250
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +39-334903-4401
July 19-26, 2025
Experience the beauty of South West France through the lens of Urban Sketching! Immerse yourself in the playful world of mixed media landscapes guided by Sketchbook artist Jenny Adam. This dynamic workshop with Jenny Adam offers a harmonious blend of techniques, allowing you to simplify nature’s complexity while infusing your artwork with texture, color, and emotion. We will work on location, discovering the landscapes and villages, but also make time for exploring art in the comfort of the atelier. Course Highlights include: Playful Drawing Techniques, Understanding Media Properties, and Exploratory Exercises.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Jenny Adam
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 320€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
July 21-28, 2025
Many of the Dutch painters were influenced by the light in the flat countries. In July we will meet in Zwolle, the Netherlands. and the surrounding, which is in the province of Overijssel north-east of the Netherlands. Not only painting and sketching are in the program, but also stone carving, Monotype and print workshops, and exciting local stuff that a regular tourist won't be able to see or do, as Tali Lives here she is very involved in the "Arty" scene. will introduce you, to artists, places, landscapes, private gardens, and local homes. This all-inclusive art retreat boasts delicious meals, exclusive day trips, and lots of artmaking and PlainAir painting.
It will be a trip you won't forget.
Location: Zwolle, The Netherlands
Instructor: Tali Farchi
Cost: €3100 (early registration €2950)
Sponsor: Artist Table Tali Farchi
Website, email, +31 6 24903316
July 26 - August 1, 2025
All-inclusive inspirational painting, drawing & print-making retreat. Nestled amidst rolling hills, sunflower fields, vineyards and olive groves, there is an abundance of inspiration everywhere you look. Accommodation, all meals (excl one lunch on excursion day), demonstrations, all materials, excursions, cooking class, vineyard paint & sip included.
Location: Ascoli Piceno, Italy
Instructor: John W. Skelcher
Cost: USD 2.500 single; Twin/Double USD 2.300 p.p.
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +393349034401
August 9-16, 2025
Soyoung Sin is a leading Korean botanical artist, renowned for her delicate and realistic expression. Join her at Atelier Clos Mirabel for a week-long botanical art workshop in the French Pyrenees. Enjoy wonderful surroundings, delightful accommodation and delicious meals. All over the world, an increasing interest in environmental consciousness has inspired people to rediscover the beauty of nature in their daily lives. The practice of botanical art can give access to a certain state of inner peace and help in reconnecting to the essence of nature. Soyoung Sin has received medals from the Royal Horticultural Society of England and the Bloom Botanical Art Exhibition in Ireland. She has been teaching botanical art specialist courses at Gachon University and Yonsei University for 9 years.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Soyoung Sin
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 500€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
August 31 - September 6, 2025
Join us on this fantastic Art & Wellness retreat at the beautiful sea-side at Italy’s Riviera delle Palme. We will spend six days painting, learning about the best ways to increase our creative brain and physical energy through the mediterranean diet brain-health focused exercises practicing beach Qui-Gong and Tai Chi. No Wellness retreat would be complete without a spa visit with reflexology of course. Deliciously healthy, fresh food is key to maintaining and improving creativity in all stages of live.We will get inspired by the infinite beauty of the classic Italian scenes that surround us from vineyards surrounded by ancient hill-top towns and panoramic coastal scenes. Here is all of Italy in magnificent panoramic views.
Location: Riviera delle Palme, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
Instructor: John Skelcher
Cost: From €2.400
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +39-334-903-4401
September 6-12, 2025
Join us on this fantastic art & gourmet sea-side retreat at the Riviera delle Palme, in the heart of Italy. We will spend six days creating beautiful watercolour paintings, capturing the infinite beauty of classic Italian scenes that surrounds us. We will be indulging in Italy’s delicious flavours & wines. Get hands on with truffle hunting and cooking and paint & sip in hill-side vineyards. Daily painting sessions, will take place in our studio, and there will be opportunities to make studies and paint on our excursions along the seaside, and to the countryside- and charming hill-top villages and towns.
Location: Riviera delle Palme, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
Instructor: John Skelcher
Cost: From €2.400
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +39-334-903-4401
September 13-20, 2025
Study with Jarnie Godwin at Atelier Clos Mirabel during a 5-day botanical art workshop in the French Pyrenees ~ South West France. Enjoy wonderful surroundings, delightful accommodation and delicious meals. Jarnie Godwin will guide you into the ethereal mysteries of the fading bloom. As blooms begin to fade you will learn how to capture these intimate, fragile and fleeting moments of decay. Using a range of watercolour techniques, Jarnie will show you how to create the unique acute textures and colour transitions of decay and fading colour. You will learn more about the unique form and detail of fading flowers, and will gain confidence in using and manipulating watercolour to convey an intimate moment in time.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Jarnie Godwin
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + £400 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
September 15-20, 2025
Join us on our visits to the picturesque towns along the Amalfi coast, such as Positano and Sorrento. We'll stop at bottegas for tasting the world-famous local Limoncello, admiring the traditional local maiolica (ceramics) and treat ourselves to little breaks for aperitivi, fully indulging in the spirit of Italian life. Around every corner, there are views waiting to be captured, from coastal views to colourful buildings and little harbours. Stunning views across the Gulf of Naples from the terraces of the historic villa that is home to our retreat, are the perfect backdrop for our morning demonstrations, before heading out to explore the towns along the Amalfi Coast. Accommodation, half-board, tuition and all materials included.
Location: Sorrento, Italy
Instructor: John Skelcher
Cost: From €2.350
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +39-334-903-4401
October 1-8, 2025
Join me for an unforgettable painting holiday in Alsace, a stunningly beautiful part of France famous for its charming scenery and clear light which has captivated artists through the centuries. We’ll have plenty of time to capture once-in-a-lifetime experiences on the pages of our watercolor journals as we explore all the charming villages of Alsace. In this week-long workshop, I’ll offer daily demonstrations of techniques for painting the subject matter you’ll encounter each day. And you’ll be painting right along with me, since we learn more by doing than by simply observing. The workshop is suitable for all levels, but some experience with drawing and watercolor would be helpful.
Location: Alsace, France
Instructor: Leslie Fehling
Cost: $3,840 before 1/30/25
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713
October 2-7, 2025
Explore the magnificent Cinque Terre region on a fantastic artistic retreat. Monterosso al Mare is the perfect location for exploring the colourful buildings, coastal scene and atmospheric sunsets through the eye of an art, whilst soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the classic Italian ‘La dolce vita’ life-style, with relaxed meals and aperitivi. After your painting sessions, there is time to explore the coastal towns and walks, as well as relaxing on the beach. This retreat is a creative experience with a truly personal and luxurious touch.
Location: Cinque Terre, Italy
Instructor: John Skelcher
Cost: € 2.250
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +39-334-903-4401
October 6-16, 2025
Ports: Athens, Volos, Istanbul, Ephesus, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos. Join our luxurious painting and cultural tour onboard Celebrity Infinity, starting from the historic city of Athens and exploring the stunning Greek islands and Turkey. This journey offers a perfect blend of painting experience lead by award-winning master watercolorist Vladislav Yeliseyev and deep cultural immersion, with private tours ensuring an intimate and enriching experience. This tour is designed for everyone - whether you wish to learn from Vlad, paint independently, or simply enjoy the journey as a non-painter. Immerse yourself in the rich culture, breathtaking scenery, and artistic inspiration that the Mediterranean has to offer. This journey promises not only a lavish vacation but also an unforgettable artistic odyssey around Aegean Sea!
Location: Celebrity Cruise, Greece
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: from $4985
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865
October 7-12, 2025
Discover Venice through the eye of an artist on this unique Watercolour Retreat. Immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere and picturesque beauty of the ancient city. 'La Serenissima', as Venice is also known, has inspired painters throughout centuries like no other place in the world. Watercolour artist and tutor John Skelcher will guide you through the processes and techniques of capturing the very essence of the Venetian grandeur with its winding canals and dreamy views across the lagoon. The are many quaint and tranquil spots, hidden away from the hustle and bustle, the perfect locations for and beginner and experienced artist alike for capturing the timeless charm of this magical city. Accommodation, tuition, breakfast and dinners, art materials incl.
Location: Venice, Italy
Instructor: John Skelcher
Cost: from: € 2.150
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +39-334-903-4401
October 11-18, 2025
Join Laura Silburn at Atelier Clos Mirabel for a 5-day botanical art workshop in the French Pyrenees ~ South West France. Enjoy wonderful surroundings, accommodation and delicious meals. Explore the botanical delights of this flora-rich part of the world. Laura will help you examine a chosen plant or vegetable through careful observation and sketchbook work. You will then compose an image that reflects its natural character whilst observing botanical truth. You will be guided on how to take your drawings through to a completed botanical watercolour and shown techniques for dry-brush finishing. Laura has work at Kew Gardens, The Hunt Institute, the Florilegium of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, and the Eden Project Cornwall.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Laura Silburn
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
October 18-25, 2025
Join Róisín Curé for a fun week exploring the joys of sketching. Create your own original artwork and discover a beautiful area of France. As an artist, confidence is key. The path to confidence comes down to two things: volume of work produced, and being guided correctly. In this immersive, week-long course I will demonstrate and teach the key elements that will raise your game as an on-location sketcher: composition, accurate drawing technique, mechanics of watercolour for beauty and control, using a limited colour palette, and rendering correct values. Each day we’ll be out and about (or in studio in the case of bad weather), choosing small scenes in which you can capture a beautiful vignette of the area.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Róisín Curé
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 500 Euros tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
November 1-8, 2025
This course will focus on using colour in figurative painting to create atmospheric and expressive paintings. You will work from a life model, participating in exercises based in colour theory. You will try out techniques such as painting on a coloured ground and making colour paintings from black and white drawings. This foundational work will sharpen your observational skills and deepen your technical understanding of colour. Beyond these technical elements, we will explore how to use colour to express something of our inner lives. We will take inspiration from art history by studying artists such as Gwen John, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Sargy Mann, Pierre Bonnard, and Milton Avery. Throughout the course, you will benefit from personalized feedback and group discussions.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Katy Papineau
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + £350 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
March 21-28, 2026
Join Rita Sabler for a week of travel sketching in South West France. Document your journey in a sketchbook using ink and watercolour. Let images and words work together in harmony to tell the story of place. Have you ever arrived in a new place and been immediately overwhelmed by its unique character and beauty? Our natural instinct is to capture this beauty, to cherish and remember it. Taking photos provides a quick and easy solution, but doesn’t allow you to really look and absorb the place with all of your senses to truly make it yours. Join us in this magical place with majestic mountains and hidden villages, creating a travel sketchbook that truly captures the place and honors its beauty.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Rita Sabler
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 450€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
April 11-18, 2026
Take time to relax and indulge yourself in nature, by creating your own botanical sketchbook in this week-long course with Dianne Sutherland. Whether you want a sketchbook to be part of your regular practice as an artist, or as an occasional activity for relaxation and to engage with nature, this course is an ideal starting point. You will be guided through the process of filling your pages with beautiful botanical drawings and paintings, working both indoors and outdoors in the surrounding area. We will explore subjects, such as leaves, flowers, dissections and all of the relevant plant parts as well as the surrounding plant habitat. You will also learn how to annotate your pages with written texts and plant stories.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Dianne Sutherland
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 450€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
May 23-30, 2026
Join Giacomina Ferrillo for a week-long botanical art workshop in the French Pyrenees of South West France. Enjoy wonderful surroundings, delightful accommodation and delicious meals. This workshop is designed not only to provide basic technical notions and the main tools of botanical art, but also to teach you how to approach various botanical subjects. We will learn to use the ink pen with specific exercises, shadows, colour and how to compose sketchbook pages. We will tackle botanical watercolour techniques by mixing colours, organizing the palette and studying the control of the brushstroke. Thus, over the course of the week, we will create a composition with various botanical subjects different in species, shape and colour, respecting their character and scientific data.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Giacomina Ferrillo
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
June 20-27, 2026
Join Celia Liberace for an immersive week focusing on portraiture and figure drawing. Create your own totally original artwork and discover a beautiful area of South West France. For the first half of the curriculum, we will focus on the portrait, weaving together classical and contemporary techniques to observe and represent form. The second half will focus on the figure, during which students will learn how to capture the gesture of a pose and build upon this impression while considering anatomical structures. Instruction involves the intersection between academic fundamentals – including perspective, light, shadow, volume, and geometry – and Celia’s own methods of loosening and guiding both the mind and hand.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Celia Liberace
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
July 3-10, 2026
We’ve chartered the entire ship! So, excluding the friendly crew and staff, just about every passenger will be a fellow sketcher! Your three master workshop instructors are: Brenda Swenson, Shari Blaukopf and Suhita Shirodkhar! This once-in-a-lifetime creative journey includes: 8 days and 7 nights of luxury travel on the historic River Rhine, from Amsterdam through Nijmegen-Arnheim (Holland), to Cologne and Mainz (Germany), through Strasbourg and Ribeauvillé (France), finally docking in Basel (Switzerland). Enjoy on-board sketching sessions, where you’ll learn how to quickly capture natural scenes, skies and townscapes as we sail to our next destination. You will have time to wander, shop and absorb local culture at every stop — or simply sit and continue sketching to your heart’s content.
Location: Strasbourg & Ribeauvillé, France
Instructor: Brenda, Shari and Suhita
Cost: starts at € 4,990
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713
July 3-10, 2026
We’ve chartered the entire ship! So, excluding the friendly crew and staff, just about every passenger will be a fellow sketcher! Your three master workshop instructors are: Brenda Swenson, Shari Blaukopf and Suhita Shirodkhar! This once-in-a-lifetime creative journey includes: 8 days and 7 nights of luxury travel on the historic River Rhine, from Amsterdam through Nijmegen-Arnheim (Holland), to Cologne and Mainz (Germany), through Strasbourg and Ribeauvillé (France), finally docking in Basel (Switzerland). Enjoy on-board sketching sessions, where you’ll learn how to quickly capture natural scenes, skies and townscapes as we sail to our next destination. You will have time to wander, shop and absorb local culture at every stop — or simply sit and continue sketching to your heart’s content.
Location: Amsterdam & Nijmegen-Arnheim, The Netherlands
Instructor: Brenda, Shari and Suhita
Cost: starts at € 4,990
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713
July 3-10, 2026
We’ve chartered the entire ship! So, excluding the friendly crew and staff, just about every passenger will be a fellow sketcher! Your three master workshop instructors are: Brenda Swenson, Shari Blaukopf and Suhita Shirodkhar! This once-in-a-lifetime creative journey includes: 8 days and 7 nights of luxury travel on the historic River Rhine, from Amsterdam through Nijmegen-Arnheim (Holland), to Cologne and Mainz (Germany), through Strasbourg and Ribeauvillé (France), finally docking in Basel (Switzerland). Enjoy on-board sketching sessions, where you’ll learn how to quickly capture natural scenes, skies and townscapes as we sail to our next destination. You will have time to wander, shop and absorb local culture at every stop — or simply sit and continue sketching to your heart’s content.
Location: Cologne & Mainz, Germany
Instructor: Brenda, Shari and Suhita
Cost: starts at € 4,990
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713
July 25 - August 1, 2026
Join Nina Johansson for a fun week exploring the joys of sketching. Create your own totally original artwork and discover a beautiful area of South West France. Sketching from observation is a great way to experience a place! In this course we will bring our sketching tools outside to explore Clos Mirabel and its surroundings, capturing them on paper. We will be using lines and colours – pencils, pens and brushes – to capture the look and feel of everything around us. The subjects will cover whatever we encounter during the course, landscapes, architecture, villages, people, botanicals, food – everything becomes interesting to investigate when you sketch. We will start out on location and use the atelier for continued work and explorations.
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Nina Johansson
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 350€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91
Every Wednesday
An international group meets online via Zoom every Wednesday (check your time zone). Short and long poses, from 5-10 minutes and 20-30 minutes.
Each week I invite a new model to pose. There is always some music in the background that I'm sharing too. 2 hours session. No instruction. At the end of the session, we show each other the work. Friendly atmosphere, everyone is welcome!
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Open session hosted by Tali Farchi
Cost: $15 per session
Sponsor: Artist Table
Website, email, 0031624903316
Every Thursday
“Painting Music” is an intuitive painting and drawing, open session for everyone.
No painting or drawing skills are needed. Move your paint as the music tells you...
on a canvas or in your sketchbook. I create a one-hour playlist of the different subjects each week. You may paint one painting or 10 or as much as you want. No rules. You may interpret the music as figurative or abstract, anything goes!
The camera of your device will be pointed to the working area, so we can also see the progress, and be inspired. After the session, we look at each other's artwork and talk about the process.
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Tali Farchi
Cost: $10 per session
Sponsor: Artist Table
Website, email, 0031624903316
video course
Learn with Thomas Schaller as he instructs on how to establish perspective and dimensionality in your work. Thomas W. Schaller AWS NWS TWSA ASAI, is an award-winning artist, architect, and author based in New York City. As a renowned architectural artist, he received a Graham Foundation Grant and was a two-time recipient of the Hugh Ferriss Memorial Prize. He has authored three books; the best-selling, and AIA award winner, Architecture in Watercolor (VNR – McGraw Hill) The Art of Architectural Drawing (J.Wiley and Sons), and Thomas W. Schaller, Architect of Light : Watercolor Paintings by a Master. (Penguin Random House)
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Thomas W. Schaller
Cost: $79
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email
See also:
Art Books for Drawing |
Tutorials for Drawing