A well-established contemporary plein air painter in Canada and the USA, Marc Grandbois offers his vision of personal expression through the beauty of nature. This class focuses on how to paint in plein air. Every student is led to better transpose his emotions related to place and time, into an image and to understand the subjective power of colors and gesture in painting. Marc will give a two-hour demonstration each morning en plein air in the Clos Mirabel park and surrounds. A large interior space will be available in case of bad weather. There will be a group critique on the last day for work to be shared by the group, creating both a supportive and exponential effect for future work.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Marc Grandbois
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 450€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

In this intensive workshop Loriann will help you to see light and color so you can allow yourself to be guided by the soul of place. It's her intent to encourage your ability to embrace and translate the Italian landscape into sensitive pastel work.
 
Location: Florence and Fiesole, Italy
Instructor: Loriann Signori
Cost: $3990
Sponsor: Artensity Workshops
Website, email

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

Spend two lovely mornings outside learning how to paint in Plein Air! The first morning, the class will start with painting demonstrations and information. Carol will share how she quickly captures the landscape in Plein Air. You will learn how to focus in on a composition, define the values, identify the light source, establish a point of focus and how to see and use colors effectively in your Plein Air paintings. You will learn the importance of painting light, shadows and colors from life. There will be personalized teaching and individualized feedback. This all-levels class focuses a lot on individual assistance from the instructor, who can adjust accordingly to each student.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Carol Iglesias
Cost: $120
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

As a plein air painter, I enjoy exploring new places and discovering subjects that make a place unique. Generally, I like to choose complicated landscape subjects. I enjoy the exercise of simplifying the complexity, bringing attention to the important visual qualities that interest me. In a way it could be considered an abstraction of the subject, but I seek to portray the basic shape accurately. My painting process is not formulaic. I prefer to work intuitively and improvisational, sometimes with no predetermined result in mind. By painting this way, I hope to capture the fresh energy of the experience with expressive paint application. This is an important quality I strive for and what is so wonderful about plein air painting.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Fred Jackson
Cost: $20 members | $25 non-members
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

You probably fell in love with making art before a painting holiday occurred to you. Classroom lessons, online sessions, or time in the studio are typically safe environments in which to learn. But once we venture outdoors to paint, the light can be dramatic, the air is filled with sights, sounds, and smells of nature. While this can all be new, it enriches the painting experience even more. When we arrive on the Costa Brava, my job is to help you capture the nuances of our surroundings with confidence. Even before departure I’ll provide practical pointers on what to bring, what to leave behind. My plein-air workshops are jam-packed with helpful tips to help you make powerful statements through your art.
 
Location: Costa Brava, Spain
Instructor: Randy Hale
Cost: $3,790 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

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: €3400 (early bird €3200)
Sponsor: Tali Farchi Artist Table
Website, email, +31 6 24903316

Capture Philadelphia’s picturesque historic and commercial architecture, using fundamental observational drawing techniques. Learn simple methods for applying the principles of linear and atmospheric perspective to your drawings, giving them dimension and depth. Students at all experience levels are welcome, with instruction designed to appeal both to those who enjoy portraying landscape subjects in the open air and to students seeking to hone their basic drawing skills. This course takes place in easy-to-access Central Philadelphia and University City locations. Restrooms are available near all sites. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to drawing locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Four Live Paint Along Classes in May. Sign Up for one or all four and save. If you missed a class, no worries! You’ll receive a recording to catch up, so you can still sign up for all four sessions. You will learn Vlad's step-by-step approach to a loose watercolor painting; see how Vlad uses composition and values as part of the creative process; discover timeless traditional watercolor methods of application; explore Vlad's use of brushes and color mixing; complete the painting. May 3 - Red Barn Radiance: Exploring Light. May 10 - Weathered Beauty of Old Town Walls. May 17 - Reflections in Watercolor: The Dance of Light and Water. May 24 - Café Conversations: Painting People and Moments.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $45 - $150
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865

The Lake Como Experience - A Plein Air Watercolor Painting Workshop with Kathleen Lanzoni. Join us in Bellagio in 2025, as Kathleen Lanzoni takes a group of watercolor painters on this trip to northern Italy. During the week, this tour is designed to guide you to the finest spots along the shores of the picturesque Lake Como with its charming lakeside towns, its Renaissance architecture, Italian villas and terraced gardens. Daily we will plein air paint the beautiful towns, the lake scenes and the surrounding scenery. You will receive personal painting instruction each day. Whether you are a novice or experienced painter, this trip will be fun and an educational experience for all!
 
Location: Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy
Instructor: Kathleen Lanzoni
Cost: $3,990
Sponsor: Alpine Creative Tours
Website, email, 970-846-9000

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

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

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

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

A Sketchbook Journaling Workshop with Karen Ramsay. Widely considered one of the prettiest areas of Europe, the Italian Lakes were once a playground for nobility and royals, visible in the many palaces dotting the lake shores. We will be staying in the beautiful town of Bellagio, often called "the Pearl of Lake Como", situated by the foothills of the Swiss and Italian Alps. During the week, this tour is designed to guide you to the finest spots along the shores of the picturesque Lake Como with its charming lakeside towns, its Renaissance architecture, Italian villas and terraced gardens. The Italian Lakes region has a mesmerizing, timeless beauty where we will find endless inspiration to design, generate and create art.
 
Location: Bellagio, Italy
Instructor: Karen Ramsay
Cost: $3,990
Sponsor: Alpine Creative Tours
Website, email, 970-846-9000

People, cars, and trees are vital ingredients in urban watercolor scenes, adding life, context, and movement to the cityscape. Their thoughtful inclusion not only brings authenticity but also strengthens the overall composition, turning a simple city view into a compelling narrative. This workshop focuses on demystifying these essential elements and showing how they can be seamlessly integrated into your urban paintings. Day 1: Lesson, Demonstration and Q&A. Day 2: Feedback Session – submit your painting and get personalized feedback from Vlad even if you’re watching the replay! Vlad will provide tailored feedback on your work, offering valuable insights to help you refine your skills and improve your technique. It also includes demonstrations addressing common mistakes to enhance your understanding further.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $165-190
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865

Capture the colors of summer en plein air through vibrant watercolor! Become comfortable and confident with the practice of working outdoors at picturesque Lemon Hill, Laurel Hill, and other select locations around the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Fairmount Park. Instruction will cover means of accurately and expressively depicting outdoor sites, watercolor painting techniques, color mixing, and the history and capabilities of water media. All levels welcome. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Keith Leitner
Cost: $250
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Paint with the medium of your choice, (Oil, WC, 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 or $50/day
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Pennsylvania has a rich history of plein air painting cemented by Pennsylvania Impressionists Edward Redfield, Daniel Garber, and Fern Coppedge. These artists, many of whom studied and taught at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, found inspiration along the banks of the Delaware River, the fields and valleys of Bucks County, and environs of New Hope. Their work translated French Impressionism to an American point of view. Join us for a close look at the lives and works of these important artists and celebrate their legacy as seen in The Wayne Art Center's 17th Plein Air Festival.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: William Perthes
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

The wonderful views and landscapes of the French Alps seem to be just made for watercolor. All the incredible villages, lakes and mountains are just begging to be caught on the tip of your brush. Moving from place to place, we will find the best locations to create vibrant and sunny watercolors. Every day will be a discovery for you—and a new opportunity for painting in watercolor. In addition to traditional watercolor techniques, I will introduce you to my personal methods and secrets. Join us for relaxation and enjoyment of the French Alps with a very rich and informative workshop in the open air.
 
Location: Haute-Savoie, France
Instructor: Shari Blaukopf
Cost: $3,840 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

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

A thought-provoking and inspirational art workshop open to artists of all levels and media (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.). Nine full days of plein air painting, art history/theory lectures, touring, and gastronomy in the most beautiful area of Tuscany. Our teaching approach and groups limited to eight participants allow us to offer personalized instruction and a stimulating environment that fosters creativity. Cost of CAD 4175 (around US$ 3050) includes instruction, 9-night single or double accommodation (limited single rooms available at no extra cost), all breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 gourmet dinners including wine, transportation from and to the Arezzo train station, transportation to all painting sites (Montepulciano, Cortona, Pienza, etc.), train ticket to Florence, and a guided tour to the Uffizi Museum.
 
Location: Lucignano, Italy
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$3050
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789

Enjoy open-air painting in beautiful Valley Forge National Historic Park on the National Historic Register. The church site of George Washington’s Continental Army in 1777-1778 and now home to lush scenery and historic architecture! Located in Montgomery County, 35 minutes northwest of Center City Philadelphia, with ample parking and access to restrooms. Working from diverse landscape subject matter, students will learn essential plein air approaches, including color mixing to achieve a sense of light and air, capturing time of day, compositional fundamentals, and sound drawing and painting practices. Instruction is geared toward oil/acrylic painting and pastel drawing/painting. Meeting at the Washington Memorial Chapel parking lot.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Joseph Sweeney
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Description coming soon!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Bonnie Mettler
Cost: $285
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Working from your own reference material, we will spend each week focusing on a particular aspect of landscape painting. Individual techniques will be taught each session in a supportive atmosphere. Syllabus will be provided. Please bring painting materials to the first class. All mediums welcomed.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Bonnie Mettler
Cost: $285
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

The wonderful views and landscapes of the French Alps seem to be just made for watercolor. All the incredible villages, lakes and mountains are just begging to be caught on the tip of your brush. Moving from place to place, we will find the best locations to create vibrant and sunny watercolors. Every day will be a discovery for you—and a new opportunity for painting in watercolor. In addition to traditional watercolor techniques, I will introduce you to my personal methods and secrets. Join us for relaxation and enjoyment of the French Alps with a very rich and informative workshop in the open air.
 
Location: Haute-Savoie, France
Instructor: Shari Blaukopf
Cost: $3,840 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Expand your skills with painting the beautiful Lowcountry landscape! The class will start with a full painting demonstration. Carol will share her process for blocking in large simple shapes before layering colors. Learn how to capture the beauty that makes the Lowcountry so special, focus on a strong composition, define values, establish a point of focus, and how to see and use color effectively in your paintings. You will also learn how to interpret your own photographs for reference and understand the relationships between value, color temperature and color intensity. There will be personalized teaching and individualized feedback throughout the day. This all-levels class focuses a lot on individual assistance from the instructor, who can adjust accordingly to each student.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Carol Iglesias
Cost: $150
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Make your paintings sparkle by capturing the moment with a fresh direct response to the landscape. Elise will walk you through the process of creating light filled paintings with a limited palette. “Where most people see the ordinary, I envision a painting. The bucolic countryside I’m surrounded by offers endless inspiration for me. My paintings are my journal, reflecting on what I see and experience daily. I am forever eager to share my reflections through my paintings in the hopes that they will evoke the feeling in the viewer that I had – a sense of memories, serenity and awe in everyday life and a reminder that there is beauty all around us.”
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Elise Phillips
Cost: $20 members | $25 non-members
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Join instructor Robert Wortmann for this 3-week pastel course designed for those who want to learn about the pastel medium and conquer their fears of painting landscapes or seascapes. Painting landscapes and seascapes can be a very satisfying experience. Each class will begin with a demonstration. Afterwards, students will create their own work using their own photos or one supplied by the instructor. During that time each student will have individual attention from the instructor. The demonstrations will be done with pastel but students may use any other media if they choose.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Robert Wortmann
Cost: $200
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

The challenges of open air painting require a specific technical approach. In this core program we introduce our method combining lectures, exercises & demonstrations that aim to teach participants to compose, develop and complete a painting in one session. Two instructors will work directly with participants. Sessions supported by a Siena museum visit, slide shows analyzing works of historic masters and painting technique. Fees include materials, surfaces, equipment, meals (breakfast, dinner, 4 lunches), accommodation, field trips, local transport and transfers. Rain or Shine! Call 212-388-9832 & Whats App 39-347-143-40-36 12 student maximum. Course pre-requisites: Basic ability to draw from observation. Some prior painting experience.
 
Location: Buonconvento, Italy
Instructor: Maddine Insalaco and Joe Vinson
Cost: $3,250 - $3710 depending on occupancy
Sponsor: Etruscan Places
Website, email, 212-388-9832

This class will focus on color theory using a limited palette of colors to create two or more dramatic landscapes from your own images. Discover the best ways to apply gouache working from the larger shapes down to the details. We will be working smaller than 8 x 10. The instructor will provide demonstrations, instruction on color mixing and application. Discover more about gouache as a great medium for studies for larger pieces and for working "en plein air".
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Abby Ober
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Capturing figures in real-life settings can be quite challenging, especially when dealing with changing outdoor light conditions. See how Barbara skillfully integrates the figure with the garden, while paying close attention to how the atmosphere influences the colors of the model’s skin and clothing.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Barbara Berry
Cost: $20 members | $25 non-members
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

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

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

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: $4,090
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Students in this workshop will be familiarized with the fundamental principles of drawing, enhancing their ability to see the basic shapes, forms, and values that make up the landscape. Participants will learn to “read” a photograph to accurately discern its weaknesses and to discover its hidden artistic gems. By integrating nature’s inherent proportions into the artistic process, students will receive the rudimentary essentials of composing a masterful landscape drawing. With only a few basic tools used by master artists for centuries, each student will be instructed to properly design, construct, draw, and render a realistic, even a photographic, image of their chosen landscape on paper.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Robert H. Way
Cost: $400
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

My representational paintings have been described by art critics as “evoking nostalgia, like that of an old sepia toned photograph, often with just touches of color.” Curiosity about the medium I work with is often the first question of many viewers. Is it watercolor, is it oil? With my answer: “somewhat both.” I paint with water soluble oils, in a very limited tonal palette. My tools include squeegees, toothpicks, paper towels and Qtips - giving my paintings a washy, vintage feel as I carve away the drawing to reveal the painting!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Beth Bathe
Cost: $20 members | $25 non-members
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

While learning the importance of oil painting techniques (values, edges, composition, etc.), the joy of actually painting France en plein air won’t get lost on Kathie! The enthusiasm for painting the mountains, lakes and chalets with you will be contagious! Kathie will walk through her process of narrowing down the choices of subject matter and then demo before it’s time for you to get your brushes wet too… and she will be right alongside cheering you on with personal instruction and encouragement! There is a reason why you want to paint. Kathie will work to help you tap that desire by throwing herself into the entire experience and beauty of the French Alps!
 
Location: Haute-Savoie, France
Instructor: Kathie Odom
Cost: $3,840 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Join Lowcountry Artist and Art League of Hilton Head Instructor, Kristen Augustine, for this exciting 90-minute session perfect for those who want as little or as much creative guidance as they prefer. Perfect for date-night, or girls-night-out, Kristen's course allows participants to create a bright and beautiful acrylic marsh painting using simple painting techniques. You will use a delightful balance of cool blues for the sky and water, and warm tones of yellow and green for the marsh grass. You will also focus on adding depth to the painting by utilizing the highlights and shadows! All participants must be age 21+, zero exceptions will be made to this rule. All supplies are included in the cost of this workshop.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Kristen Augustine
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Come & explore watercolors in this three-day in studio workshop with Michal who is a trained architect, but the architectural elements are never represented directly. This is a great opportunity to study with this Polish artist.
 
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Instructor: Michal Jasiewicz
Cost: $650
Sponsor: Ingrid's Originals Inc.
Website, email, 312-320-0833

Celebrate the first day of summer painting on location at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education! The Schuylkill Center is one of first environmental education centers in the country, with 365 acres of fields, forests, ponds and streams, as well as Philadelphia's only wildlife clinic - and amazing location for painters! Instructor Keith Leitner will demonstrate watercolor and pastel techniques, reference art historical examples, cover the ins-and-outs of working outdoors and encourage personal expression. Instruction will be geared towards watercolor, but you are free to the materials of your choice including gouache, oil, acrylic and drawing media. The workshop will include a welcome and orientation by Schuylkill Center staff. Restrooms and free parking available. Don’t’ miss this great opportunity!
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Keith Leitner
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

In this watercolor workshop, I will help you discover new approaches to your works. Values and Color are the two main elements I will focus on and a dramatic sense of design. My personal style is basically a loose and carefree approach. Leaving a lot of the white of the paper, for me, is paramount in my watercolor work. We will work mostly from our own reference photos, in a relaxed studio environment. You can choose which genres best suit your personality - florals, landscapes, structures, etc. Critiques of the work and one-on-one directions will also be a part of this workshop. I hope you will join me in Bruges for this fantastic painting experience.
 
Location: Bruges, Belgium
Instructor: Rae Andrews
Cost: $3,840 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

A unique art workshop/art tour open to artists of all levels and media (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.). Seven days of plein-air painting, art history/theory lectures, and gastronomy in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence followed by four days visiting Barcelona’s top art sites and enjoying Catalan cuisine. The price of CAD 4700 per person (around US$ 3450) includes instruction, 11-night double accommodation, 11 breakfasts, 6 healthy lunches, 6 gourmet dinners including wine, transportation from the Manosque train station to our lodge, transportation to all painting sites, TGV train ticket Avignon-Barcelona, transportation and entrance fees to all sites on schedule (Cézanne’s studio, La Sagrada Familia, Picasso Museum, Miró Museum, etc.). Limited single rooms for a supplement of CAD 875 (around US$ 650).
 
Location: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence & Barcelona, France
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$3450
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789

A unique art workshop/art tour open to artists of all levels and media (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.). Seven days of plein-air painting, art history/theory lectures, and gastronomy in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence followed by four days visiting Barcelona’s top art sites and enjoying Catalan cuisine. The price of CAD 4700 per person (around US$ 3450) includes instruction, 11-night double accommodation, 11 breakfasts, 6 healthy lunches, 6 gourmet dinners including wine, transportation from the Manosque train station to our lodge, transportation to all painting sites,TGV train ticket Avignon-Barcelona, transportation and entrance fees to all sites on schedule (Cézanne’s studio, La Sagrada Familia, Picasso Museum, Miró Museum, etc.). Limited single rooms for a supplement of CAD 875 (around US$ 650),
 
Location: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence & Barcelona, Spain
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$3450
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789

Discover the joy of acrylic painting in a relaxed, supportive and inspiring environment. This class will equip you with essential techniques, including color mixing, composition, and brushwork, to bring dynamic landscapes to life. Using photo references as inspiration, we'll guide you through step-by-step painting processes, helping you develop your own artistic style. Whether you're a beginner or looking to take your skills to the next level, this class will provide you with the tools and confidence to create captivating works of art.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Nicole Lee
Cost: $320
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

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

This class will encourage you to paint what inspires you. Focusing on elements of the environment at hand – landscape, architecture, food, culture, colour – we will create not just finished paintings but a library of source information for future development. This class is designed to help you get the most out of painting while traveling. Certain things peak each painter’s interest: Mountains in the distance, a garden, or a bowl of fruit. Students will choose their subject matter and Kat will work with each person individually to help them get the most out of their painting time. Group discussions and exercises will focus on finding dynamic compositions that best describe your unique experience of a particular location.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Kat O’Connor
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + $575 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny is probably the most famous garden in France. Monet painted some of his most famous paintings whilst living at Giverny. Each day we’ll enjoy artistic and cultural experiences: we’ll explore Monet’s house and gardens, paint the church in Auvers sur Oise where Van Gogh painted his final piece, visit the auberge where he lived his final days…and much more! Kathie will help you tap into your desire to paint, cheering you on with personal instruction and encouragement!
 
Location: Bruges, Belgium
Instructor: Kathie Odom
Cost: $4,540
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

The oil sketch is a traditional way for painters to execute preparatory ideas and quickly capture initial impressions – perfect for plein air painting! Learn useful techniques for rapidly encapsulating color and form while working directly from observation. Locations with shade and restrooms include Bartram’s Garden along the Schuylkill River and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, near Philadelphia International Airport. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Roger Chavez
Cost: $325
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Working in oil or pastel from photographic reference, this class is about translating the photographic image onto either canvas or paper. Focusing on color, value and mark making as essential tools, students are encouraged to move a step beyond the restraints of a camera to create a successful and personal work. Discussion will include working with painting mediums and exploring different techniques.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Anne Graham
Cost: $285
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Learn to paint the unique effects of evening light and activity of Center City and University City, Philadelphia. Discover techniques for managing the shifting light and shadows of the setting sun as it plays across the city’s historic architecture. This plein air option is perfect for summer painting, allowing artists to take advantage of cooling evening temperatures and the subtle or dramatic palette of sunset and dusk. Previous painting experience required. Restrooms near all locations. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $175
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

All-inclusive oil painting retreat in stunning surrounding in the heart of the Italian countryside. Demonstrations, Art materials, excursions, cooking class, vineyard paint & sip, all meals (excl lunch excursion day), accommodation included.
 
Location: Ascoli Piceno, Italy
Instructor: John W. Skelcher
Cost: USD 2.500 single; Twin/Double USD 2.350 p.p.
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, 3349034401

Al Gury, noted author of Alla Prima: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Direct Painting and Color for Painters: A Guide to Traditions and Practice amongst other works, presents this in-depth approach to the skills, materials, colors, history, and techniques of direct landscape painting. Working from photographs, master works, or available on-site images, learn concepts that will not only improve your landscape painting but also grow your confidence in your artistic practice. Video demonstrations, images, and written instructions on Canvas will be supplemented by critiques and weekly Zoom discussions. Oil painting will be the primary focus, but all media are welcome.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Al Gury
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Explore the creative and expressive possibilities that can enhance your traditional and observational artwork. Each week the class will begin with a traditional subject: still lifes, landscapes, portraits, interiors, figures and master works with a goal of exploring and bringing greater expression and creativity to the subject. Content will include Q&A about materials and processes, the visual history of the creative diversity and variety of the subject in art history, color, style and compositional possibilities, and video demos by the instructor. A weekly project will be assigned with critiques by the instructor. Each class will be recorded for review and sent to students weekly. Students will gain an enriched toolbox of creative ideas, and possibilities for the artistic process.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Al Gury
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Join Cerulean Arts Collective artist Laura Eyring to create an expressive, colorful landscape using a “mosaic” technique in oils. Eyring‘s approach to oils focuses on mixing dozens of saturated colors from a limited number of paints. With no blending or overlapping, each stroke is set as an individual gem of color on a pre-toned panel. The result is a stained-glass effect with a vibrant quality. Bring your favorite landscape reference photos for a day to explore this colorful style. A short demo will be followed by a day of painting. Leave those earth tones at home and get ready to create an imaginative scene inspired by nature!
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Laura Eyring
Cost: $115
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Our all-inclusive retreat is designed for women only, to enjoy a week of art classes in a small group setting, taught by owner/artist, Christy Wilcox. We are located in a small town in the Finger Lakes Region of NY between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. You can choose one of 3 enchanting guest rooms in our beautifully remodeled, Victorian home. During this retreat you will learn all about polymer clay and create miniature landscapes on rocks featuring mushrooms, plant and bug life. Creativity is encouraged! Landscapes are secured in glass domes after baking. Each retreat includes all your lodging, gourmet meals and art supplies.
 
Location: Interlaken, New York
Instructor: Christy Wilcox
Cost: $2,250
Sponsor: Christy's Place
Website, email, 607-319-1423

In this workshop, our main focus will be on the art of capturing and portraying light. Light plays a vital role in bringing depth, atmosphere, and realism to any artwork. Participants will have the opportunity to explore a range of techniques that can be employed to effectively represent light, including glazing, wet-on-wet, and drybrush techniques.
 
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $675
Sponsor: Palette Productions
Website, email

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

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

Join us for an inspiring workshop where we'll dive into an exciting variety of subjects, from bustling streetscapes and serene boats to breathtaking landscapes. You'll discover how to tackle complex scenes with ease, focusing on capturing their true essence without getting overwhelmed by details. Through bold, expressive brushwork and vibrant watercolor techniques, you’ll learn to infuse your paintings with life and energy, confidently portraying the character and mood of your subjects. Sign up by May 15th, 2025 is required.
 
Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $560-610
Sponsor: Falmouth Art Center
Website, email, 508.540.3304

This immersive watercolor workshop will begin in a comfortable studio setting, providing a relaxed environment to focus on essential watercolor techniques before transitioning to two consecutive days of painting en plein air in the beautiful surroundings of coastal Maine. Throughout the workshop, students will explore and develop skills such as: Fundamental strategies for identifying strong compositions; Using preliminary sketches to establish the focal point; Conveying the essence of a scene through a limited color palette; Employing a painterly approach to watercolor application; Bringing the painting to completion with effective use of dark values and expressive calligraphic marks.
 
Location: Milbridge, Maine
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $650-$700
Sponsor: The Foggy Bee Retreat
Website, email, 941-330-6865

Join Cindy Briggs and Theresa Goesling in Bruges, Belgium and have a creative life experience. You’ll enjoy inspiring locations such as canals, wind mills, Flemish architecture, daily painting demonstrations, personalized instruction, and encouraging support from Cindy and Theresa. “We show you how to simplify and design your subject, draw confidently, jazz up your colors, paint with serendipity and experiment with new techniques. Create colorful paintings en Plein Air with an emphasis on celebrating your own unique point of view”.
 
Location: Bruges, Belgium
Instructor: Cindy Briggs & Theresa Goesling
Cost: $3,840 before Jan 31
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Join me for an unforgettable painting holiday in Giverny, a strikingly beautiful part of France famous for its stunning scenery and captivating light. We’ll have plenty of time to capture once-in-a-lifetime experiences on the pages of our watercolor journals. 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. In addition, 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: Giverny, France
Instructor: Leslie Fehling
Cost: $3,840 before Jan 31
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

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

Join Cindy Briggs and Theresa Goesling in the French Alps and have a creative life experience. You’ll enjoy inspiring locations such as mountains, lakes, chalets, meadows, daily painting demonstrations, personalized instruction, and encouraging support from Cindy and Theresa. “We show you how to simplify and design your subject, draw confidently, jazz up your colors, paint with serendipity and experiment with new techniques. Create colorful paintings en Plein Air with an emphasis on celebrating your own unique point of view”.
 
Location: Haute-Savoie, France
Instructor: Cindy Briggs & Theresa Goesling
Cost: $3,840 before Jan 31
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

The Advanced Plein Air Landscape workshop will offer experienced painters the opportunity to work intensively without the disruption of movements in splendid isolation. Participants may develop longer term and larger scale works if desired. Instructors Maddine Insalaco and Joe Vinson, will be present each day. Critiques will be held daily. Slide shows on issues relevant to landscape painting will be held two evenings. Fees include most materials, surfaces, easels and other equipment (umbrellas, chairs, etc.) , accommodations, meals (breakfast, 4 lunches, dinner) field trip, local transportation and transfers. Reduced fees for extended stays. 12 student maximum. Rain or Shine. Call: 212-388-9832 Whats App 39-347-143-40-36 E-mail: info@landscapepainting.com
 
Location: Buonconvento, Italy
Instructor: Maddine Insalaco and Joe Vinson
Cost: $3,250 - $3,710 depending on occupancy
Sponsor: Etruscan Places
Website, email, 212-388-9832

Do you struggle to apply watercolour or get overwhelmed sometimes when sketching? I will help solve your problems by showing you how to make fast improvements through sharing my most successful tips with watercolour sketching. You will receive plenty of individual tuition, demonstrations and examples to support you along the way. Return home armed with new skills in watercolour and sketching as you will have learnt how to sketch confidently, understand paint consistency and application and mix wonderful glowing colours to capture the magical scenes of Giverny. I will encourage you to sketch what makes your heart sing! The subjects covered will be truly inspirational – including French buildings, landscapes, local scenes and Monet’s garden!
 
Location: Giverny, France
Instructor: Judy Salleh
Cost: $3,840 before Jan 31
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Philip Frey and Schoodic Institute are pleased to offer a plein air painting retreat designed specifically for dedicated landscape painters. This retreat will provide an opportunity for participants to hone their skills, gain deeper knowledge of materials, and develop confidence in their creative abilities. The retreat will be held in the picturesque landscapes of Acadia National Park and the Schoodic Peninsula. Each day will start early 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.
 
Location: Winter Harbor, Maine
Instructor: Philip Frey
Cost: Commuter - $1,175 / Residential - $1,740
Sponsor: Schoodic Institute
Website, email, 207-288-1310

Master your ability to capture radiance in your paintings and join South Carolina artist Michael Story for this three-day landscape painting workshop. Michael will explain and demonstrate the fundamentals of building radiant color by applying complementary and analogous color combinations. Students begin their paintings with an initial charcoal drawing, followed by a color wash applied over the image. Starting with rich shadow colors, you’ll begin blocking in our painting, then progressing dark to light to completion. Building final layers of color and avoiding muddy mixtures, you’ll achieve fresh, bright, radiant color while capturing depth and drama to your work. For more information, visit michaelstory.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Michael Story
Cost: $575 Museum members/ $625 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372

Experience the Provence region on an immersive artistic journey with Alicia Farris. Alicia adores sharing her passion for watercolor painting and inspires with her creative energy and loose and lively painting style. She feels artists share a special sense for both seeing and feeling their subjects. She helps inspire her students to use color and light to paint a story from their hearts, not merely from what their eyes see. You’ll have the opportunity to watercolor paint, sketch and photograph your way through this spectacular region of Provence. Whether it’s the beautiful gardens, the lovely vistas, colorful markets or the quaint villages that inspire you, Alicia will guide you through the creative process.
 
Location: Luberon, France
Instructor: Alicia Farris
Cost: $3,940 before Jan 31
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Discover the sun-drenched landscape of Southern Italy on this painting holiday that takes you on an artistic journey with Sandra Iafrate. There is no shortage of inspiration for any artist. Your stay will be in a restored 19th century farmhouse in Ortelli from which we will visit local towns: Lecce, Otranto and Specchia. You'll enjoy daily painting instruction and coaching in drawing, composition, planning, colour theory, brushwork and conceptualization of work. The medium used is mainly acrylic; however, oil, watercolour, and drawing mediums are also welcomed.
 
Location: Apulia, Italy
Instructor: Sandra Iafrate, sandraiafrate.com
Cost: $2466. USD
Website, email

Cortona - Montepulchiano - Arezzo - Siena. Join us for an unforgettable artistic journey through the enchanting landscapes of Tuscany, centered near the charming hilltop town of Cortona. This 7-day immersive experience offers the perfect blend of world-class art instruction—featuring Painting and Urban Sketching in one workshop—paired with delectable cuisine, exquisite wines, and the timeless beauty of one of Italy’s most celebrated regions. This tour is thoughtfully designed for everyone—whether you’re eager to learn from Vlad, paint at your own pace, or simply savor the experience as a non-painter. Included: 7 Nights at 4-star Villa, All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners, Workshop, Guided Tours, Wine Tasting, Private transportation, Gastronomic exploration, Some alcohol and Airport transfer.
 
Location: Cortona, Italy
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $3810
Sponsor: BonArtVoyage
Website, email, 941-330-6865

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

The classes will focus on Southern landscapes using references of the students' choice or those of the instructor. Discussion and demos will provide students with knowledge that can be used to improve their choice of subject and application of composition principles. Accuracy in shape-making and displaying depth through perspective and value will be stressed. Pastel instruction will focus on the application of the pastel to the sanded surface support used for pastel painting. Emphasis will be on underpainting, stroke making, optical color mixing, value-produced edges, and layering of strokes. Preservation of the work, transportation, and framing will be discussed and demonstrated. Pastel is a very permanent medium when applied and handled intelligently. All of this will be discussed in class.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Gary Baughman
Cost: $180
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

The classes will focus on painting Southern landscapes using references of the students' choice or those of the instructor. Discussion and demos will provide students with knowledge that can be used to improve their choice of subject and application of composition principles. Accuracy in shape-making and displaying depth through perspective and value will be stressed. Color mixing, brush and palette knife application of the medium, and edge treatments will be demonstrated by the instructor. Expecting to paint a masterpiece in class should not be a student objective. Learning the techniques and principles that will lead to prize-winning paintings, being awarded commissions, and obtaining gallery representation should be the take-away from class.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Gary Baughman
Cost: $180
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Join Cindy Briggs and Theresa Goesling for their 2nd workshop at the stunning Salinara Art Farm on the west coast of Sicily. Sicily is a unique island that has been shaped by many cultures over many thousands of years. Excursions and painting to surrounding salt pans with colorful sunset, fisherman boats, local markets, picturesque villages with narrow streets, churches, a never ending range of restaurants and cafés, blue skies and beautiful nature, jovial, kind and friendly people, traditional foods and great local wine, medieval hill town of Erice, Archeological Park of Selinunte with Greek temples. And many beaches where we can swim in the blue water of the Mediterranean Sea. Limited single rooms for a supplement.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Theresa Goesling and Cindy Briggs
Cost: From € 3100
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email

Cortona - Montepulchiano - Arezzo - Siena | Join us for an unforgettable artistic journey through the enchanting landscapes of Tuscany, centered near the charming hilltop town of Cortona. This 7-day immersive experience offers the perfect blend of world-class art instruction—featuring Painting and Urban Sketching in one workshop—paired with delectable cuisine, exquisite wines, and the timeless beauty of one of Italy’s most celebrated regions. This tour is thoughtfully designed for everyone—whether you’re eager to learn from Vlad, paint at your own pace, or simply savor the experience as a non-painter. Included: 7 Nights at 4-star Villa, All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners, Workshop, Guided Tours, Wine Tasting, Private transportation, Gastronomic exploration, Some alcohol and Airport transfer.
 
Location: Cortona, Italy
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: from $3810
Sponsor: Bon Art Voyage
Website, email, 941-330-6865

Keiko Tanabe is a Japanese contemporary artist who has won multiple awards and has been invited to and completed successfully many workshops and numerous live demonstrations around the world, we are so proud that she’s coming to Sicily. Come to enjoy a masterful tuition by Keiko, subject matters will be landscape, Mediterranean seascape, old historic cityscape, indoor locations in the authentic farmhouse where the participants will stay. Sicily it’s like a dream, colorful sunset, olive groves, lined vineyards, picturesque villages with narrow streets, churches, a never ending range of restaurants and cafés, blue skies and beautiful nature, jovial, kind and friendly people, traditional foods and great local wine. Limited single rooms for a supplement.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Keiko Tanabe
Cost: From € 2250
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email, (+39) 339 77 57 062

Join Vlad for a 3-day Urban Sketching Workshop in Lucca—a city full of charm, history, and endless artistic inspiration. You’ll have the opportunity to capture the beauty of this enchanting Italian town through quick, expressive sketches. In this engaging workshop, Vlad will not only demonstrate but also guide participants in honing their skills to craft captivating color sketches using waterproof ink pens and watercolors. Our emphasis will be on achieving immediacy in presentation, mastering composition, and, most importantly, channeling focused creativity to produce vibrant and impactful images that captivate the viewer's attention.
 
Location: Lucca, Italy
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $650
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865

One week Painting retreat at a genuine medieval castle in South West France all expenses paid from Angouleme train station at start to end with American masters John Hulsey & Ann Trusty.
 
Location: Grand Brassac, France
Instructor: John Hulsey & Ann Trusty
Cost: $3,150 to $3,750
Sponsor: Copeland International Arts Inc
Website, email

A thought-provoking and inspirational art workshop open to artists of all levels and media (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.). Nine full days of plein air painting, art history/theory lectures, touring, and gastronomy in the most beautiful area of Tuscany. Our teaching approach and groups limited to eight participants allow us to offer personalized instruction and a stimulating environment that fosters creativity. Cost of CAD 4175 (around US$ 3050) includes instruction, 9-night single or double accommodation (limited single rooms available at no extra cost), all breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 gourmet dinners including wine, transportation from and to the Arezzo train station, transportation to all painting sites (Montepulciano, Cortona, Pienza, etc.), train ticket to Florence, and a guided tour to the Uffizi Museum.
 
Location: Lucignano, Italy
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$3050
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789

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

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

Award winning artist Jenny Aitken is passionate about the depiction of light in paint. She has taught thousands of students throughout her career, and recently written a book on the subject, Painting into the Light. During this week long atelier at Clos Mirabel in Jurançon, France, she will cover all her methods and techniques, both in the studio and plein air.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Jenny Aitken
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + £500 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Sicily – It's on everyone's bucket list, with colorful sunsets, olive groves, vineyards, and picturesque villages with narrow streets, a never ending range of restaurants and cafés, blue skies and beautiful nature, it’s a painters paradise… And it will be our home for 7 days. The workshop is hosted by the retreat center Salinara. Our daily watercolor routine will include daily demonstrations by Gary, along with time for individual instruction. Afternoons will vary between painting time, exploring the region on your own, or possible one of the many activities offered through Salinara – on designated days Gary will conduct group critique over cocktails before the evening meal. Limited single rooms for a supplement.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Gary Tucker
Cost: From $2300
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email

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

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

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

Join watercolor artist Jeni Caruana on the beautiful island of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea on the South side of Italy. Jeni is an experienced tutor for all levels of artists, from beginners to advanced. She encourages everyone to challenge their boundaries and make new discoveries about their own unique expression. Whether it’s basic techniques to give a firm background, or a nudge into loosening up rigid habits, Jeni gives individual attention and inspiration to everyone in the group. The sessions are taught in watercolour, because it is so portable and easy to use on site, but the principles of drawing and colour apply to all mediums, so artists are welcome to bring whatever they are most happy with.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Jeni Caruana
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email, (+39) 339 77 57 062

In this workshop, beginning to advanced students will explore ways to create unique, personal works of art based on their own reference photos. Participants will learn how to find dynamic compositions with strong focal points and push color to enhance their vision. We’ll step away from the confinement of exact “copying” of reference materials and move toward finding our own interpretation of a scene. Jill Stefani Wagner received a B.F.A. in painting from The University of Michigan School of Art. She owned an award-winning advertising firm in Ann Arbor MI, before “seeing the light” and becoming a full-time artist. For more information, visit jillwagnerart.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Jill Stefani Wagner
Cost: $650 Museum members/ $700 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372

Join Kathleen Speranza for an inspiring week of landscape painting. The surrounding fields and distant mountain views will provide a magnificent motif for the study of colour, light and space. Particular attention will be paid to atmospheric perspective and the subtle layers of colour needed to capture it. Students will learn a specific technique of oil painting which will build an image in three stages. Sketching, underpainting and the subsequent layering of thin paint will provide a method for translating the layers of space that can be seen in this uniquely beautiful landscape. A limited, premixed palette will enable a fluid and intuitive approach. Direct observation of light in the morning and early evening will provide a way to isolate and express the poetry of time and mood.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Kathy Speranza
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + $1,000 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

This is a 3-day outdoor painting workshop for intermediate to advanced painters working in oils or acrylics. It will include lecture, demonstration and practice, the three ingredients to effective instruction and learning. We will cover some so called “basic” elements of Drawing, Value, Color, Composition and Edges... all put into a package called “Concept”, the basis for any painting that you paint. I will work with each student at their own level, and will spend a lot of time at students’ easels, giving individual instruction, and will demo everything that I ask you to do.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Marc Hanson
Cost: $550
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Join internationally renowned artist, Alan Shuptrine for an immersive watercolor workshop focusing on the beautiful palette of colors found in Sunset Landscapes! Attendees will utilize different watercolor techniques and will work with a broad range of colors and depth, creating multiple compositions. Born the son of recognized painter, Hubert Shuptrine (1936-2006), Alan has continued the legacy of realism that both Andrew Wyeth and his father Hubert established. A resident of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, Shuptrine’s pursuit of the arts includes schooling at The Baylor School (Chattanooga, TN); The University of the South (Sewanee, TN); and The University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN). For more information, visit alanshuptrine.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Alan Shuptrine
Cost: $225 Museum members/ $275 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372

Discover the magic of alcohol inks in this vibrant art class, where creativity knows no bounds! This unique medium offers an exhilarating experience as vivid colors flow and blend right in your hands, perfect for both beginners and seasoned artists. Under Julie's expert guidance, you'll master the art of creating stunning landscape paintings on surfaces like Yupo paper and tiles, achieving breathtaking effects. Alcohol inks are versatile, allowing you to explore your creativity. They are transparent, acid-free, fade-resistant, and fast-drying, making them ideal for crafting dazzling, colorful pieces. Sign up today to unleash your inner artist! Students should bring $20 cash to pay instructor, who will provide all the materials you need (except cardboard to transport completed pieces).
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Julie Schroeder
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

A unique art workshop in South America on the stunning Colombian Caribbean coast (Cartagena and Puerto Colombia). Acquire solid notions of perspective drawing, learn 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. Draw and paint on the beach, attend cooking demonstrations by local chefs, visit food markets and museums, etc. The price of CAD 3175 per person (around US$2220) includes eight-night double accommodation in well-rated hotels, all ground transportation, all breakfasts, one lunch, two suppers, one street food tour, instruction, art supplies, and more. Single rooms available for a supplement of CAD 825 (around US$580).
 
Location: Cartagena, Colombia
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$2220
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789

We invite you to register for this exciting 2-Day Palette Knife Workshop for oil & acrylic painters of all levels of experience. This workshop is designed to enhance your painting skills by focusing on palette knife techniques, enabling you to create impressionistic art with complementary colors. You'll learn to integrate these techniques with composition and color theory to elevate your paintings. Through daily demonstrations on various subjects and surfaces, you'll discover the joy of clean color and vibrant energy in your work. Whether you paint in a studio or en plein air, these skills will add excitement and versatility to your art. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your artistic toolbox and transform your source materials into dynamic compositions.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Trish Weeks
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Join award winning artist and popular instructor, Eric Jacobsen, for this painting workshop where you will learn to loosen up your style and paint expressive landscapes. This oil and acrylics workshop is for students of all levels, beginner through advanced. We will focus on the fundamentals of good painting as it relates to landscape painting. We will cover the following topics: Composition, Value, Design, Choosing a Motif, Identifying and mixing accurate Warm and Cool Colors, Establishing a Focal Point as well as Tips and Do’s and Don’ts for the Landscape Painter. The workshop will be complete with informal lectures, instructor demos, group critiques and plenty of individual instruction. Please come and join Eric for an informative and enjoyable workshop experience.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Eric Jacobsen
Cost: $400
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

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

Join renowned artist Catherine Hillis for an exhilarating 2-day plein air watercolor workshop tailored for beginner-intermediate and advanced students. Enhance your outdoor painting skills amidst nature's beauty with expert guidance. Discover the art of painting "en plein air," where you'll capture landscapes directly from your surroundings. Catherine will help you select the perfect equipment to match your style and choose ideal locations for painting. In this class, you'll gain practical insights on setting up your workspace and Hillis will show you how to follow structured steps in order to create vibrant watercolors. We will explore diverse subjects, like landscapes, gardens, and marshes while mastering composition and perspective. Enjoy daily onsite demonstrations that provide practical guidance and inspiration.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Catherine Hillis
Cost: $380
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Immerse yourself in the sun-dappled beauty of the Costa Brava on this unforgettable 8-day travel painting vacation taught by renowned artist Brienne Brown. Imagine yourself sketching along the sun-drenched coves of the Costa Brava, where the salty breeze of the Mediterranean mingles with the scent of pine and grilled seafood, and the rhythmic lull of the waves harmonizes with the distant laughter of seaside cafés. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor gourmet tapas and sip sangria. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
 
Location: Costa Brava, Spain
Instructor: Brienne M Brown
Cost: starts at US $3,840
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Costa Brava on this unforgettable 8-day travel sketching vacation taught by renowned artist Sarah Burns. Imagine yourself sketching along the sun-drenched coves of the Costa Brava, where the salty breeze of the Mediterranean mingles with the scent of pine and grilled seafood, and the rhythmic lull of the waves harmonizes with the distant laughter of seaside cafés. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor gourmet tapas and sip sangria. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy. Join us!
 
Location: Costa Brava, Spain
Instructor: Sarah Burns
Cost: starts at US $3,840
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Do you often wonder how to make your paintings stand out? This workshop will explore ways to make more compelling and powerful visual statements, focusing on the landscape for inspiration and subject matter. The workshop will consist of demos, painting exercises, group discussions, positive critiques and lots of hands-on individual attention. Oil and Acrylic painters are welcome to attend; however, demos will be done in pastel and then Mayfield will work individually with you in your medium. Make your paintings more expressive and visually interesting from start to finish, from choosing subject matter, editing reference photos, simplifying and improving design and composition, using dynamic value contrasts, pushing color schemes, and using color temperature to create mood and emotion.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Susan Mayfield
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Costa Brava on this unforgettable 8-day travel sketching vacation taught by renowned artist Alicia Farris. Imagine yourself sketching along the sun-drenched coves of the Costa Brava, where the salty breeze of the Mediterranean mingles with the scent of pine and grilled seafood, and the rhythmic lull of the waves harmonizes with the distant laughter of seaside cafés. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor gourmet tapas and sip sangria. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy. Join us!
 
Location: Costa Brava, Spain
Instructor: Alicia Farris
Cost: starts at US $3,840
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Immerse yourself in the sun-dappled beauty of the Costa Brava on this unforgettable 8-day pastel workshop taught by renowned artist Bill Cone. Imagine yourself painting along the sun-drenched coves of the Costa Brava, where the salty breeze of the Mediterranean mingles with the scent of pine and grilled seafood, and the rhythmic lull of the waves harmonizes with the distant laughter of seaside cafés. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor gourmet tapas and sip sangria. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
 
Location: Costa Brava, Spain
Instructor: Bill Cone
Cost: starts at US $3,840
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Immerse yourself in the sun-dappled beauty of the Costa Brava on this unforgettable 8-day travel painting vacation taught by renowned artist Margie Samuels. Imagine yourself sketching along the sun-drenched coves of the Costa Brava, where the salty breeze of the Mediterranean mingles with the scent of pine and grilled seafood, and the rhythmic lull of the waves harmonizes with the distant laughter of seaside cafés. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor gourmet tapas and sip sangria. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
 
Location: Costa Brava, Spain
Instructor: Margie Samuels
Cost: starts at US $3,840
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring grandeur of the French Alps on this unforgettable 8-day painting holiday taught by renowned artist Maggie Hellmann. Capture the golden glow of alpine meadows, the crisp reflections of snow-capped peaks in crystal-clear lakes, and the charming villages nestled in the valley, where the mountain pine fills the air. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor cheese fondue and local wines. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
 
Location: Haute-Savoie, France
Instructor: Maggie Hellmann
Cost: starts at US $3,840
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring grandeur of the French Alps on this unforgettable 8-day painting vacation taught by renowned artist Ellen Howard. Capture the golden glow of alpine meadows, the crisp reflections of snow-capped peaks in crystal-clear lakes, and the charming villages nestled in the valley, where the mountain pine fills the air. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor cheese fondue and local wines. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
 
Location: Haute-Savoie, France
Instructor: Ellen Howard
Cost: starts at US $3,840
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring grandeur of the French Alps on this unforgettable 8-day travel painting vacation taught by renowned artist Kirah Van Sickle. Capture the golden glow of alpine meadows, the crisp reflections of snow-capped peaks in crystal-clear lakes, and the charming villages nestled in the valley, where the mountain pine fills the air. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor cheese fondue and local wines. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
 
Location: Haute-Savoie, France
Instructor: Kirah Van Sickle
Cost: starts at US $3,840
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring grandeur of the French Alps on this unforgettable 8-day travel painting vacation taught by renowned artist Brian Murphy. Capture the golden glow of alpine meadows, the crisp reflections of snow-capped peaks in crystal-clear lakes, and the charming villages nestled in the valley, where the mountain pine fills the air. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor cheese fondue and local wines. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
 
Location: Haute-Savoie, France
Instructor: Brian Murphy
Cost: starts at US $3,840
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Immerse yourself in the sun-dappled beauty of Provence on this unforgettable 8-day watercolor painting workshop taught by renowned artist Brenda Swenson. Picture yourself painting by the peaceful banks of the Sorgue river as the cheerful hum of cicadas fills the warm afternoon or strolling through the vibrant Provencal markets where the scent of lavender and freshly baked bread mingles with the colorful bustle of vendors. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor gourmet meals and sip velvety local wines. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
 
Location: Provence, France
Instructor: Brenda Swenson
Cost: starts at US $4,175
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

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

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

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

Join Barbara Hirsekorn for a fun week exploring watercolour sketching in the beautiful grounds and surroundings of Atelier Clos Mirabel in South West France. This course is suitable for both beginners with basic knowledge and experienced watercolour painters. The workshop combines demonstrations, discussions about materials and techniques, practical exercises to develop skills, with plenty of individual attention and feedback. The topics of picture composition, colour theory and spatial drawing/painting are also covered in the course. We will alternate between plein air and studio work in the protected atmosphere of the Atelier. Two outings are included. A minimum of two hours walking and standing in front of the motive for a certain amount of time are required from participants.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Barbara Hirsekorn
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 550 € tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Join Samantha Dion Baker for a fun week exploring the joys of sketching and watercolour. Create your own original artwork and discover a beautiful area of South West France. This workshop at Atelier Clos Maribel explores the art of seeing and storytelling through drawing, no matter your experience level. From abstract sketches to detailed renderings, there’s no right way to capture your world. Through hands-on exercises, you will get familiar with tools and materials, practice blind contour and continuous line drawing, as well as experimenting with colour, line, and composition. You will learn to organise your thoughts by creating meaningful visual narratives and challenge yourself to draw in new ways – all while capturing your adventures with confidence and creativity.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Samantha Dion Baker
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + $579 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring grandeur of the French Alps on this unforgettable 8-day painting vacation taught by renowned artist Leslie Fehling. Capture the golden glow of alpine meadows, the crisp reflections of snow-capped peaks in crystal-clear lakes, and the charming villages nestled in the valley, where the mountain pine fills the air. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor cheese fondue and local wines. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
 
Location: Haute-Savoie, France
Instructor: Leslie Fehling
Cost: starts at US $3,840
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Immerse yourself in the sun-dappled beauty of Provence on this unforgettable 8-day watercolor painting workshop taught by two renowned artists Cindy Briggs and Theresa Goesling. Picture yourself painting by the peaceful banks of the Sorgue river as the cheerful hum of cicadas fills the warm afternoon or strolling through the vibrant Provencal markets where the scent of lavender and freshly baked bread mingles with the colorful bustle of vendors. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor gourmet meals and sip velvety local wines. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
 
Location: Provence, France
Instructor: Cindy Briggs & Theresa Goesling
Cost: starts at US $4,175
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Immerse yourself in the sun-dappled beauty of Provence on this unforgettable 8-day plein-air painting workshop taught by renowned artist Rose Irelan. Picture yourself painting by the peaceful banks of the Sorgue river as the cheerful hum of cicadas fills the warm afternoon or strolling through the vibrant Provencal markets where the scent of lavender and freshly baked bread mingles with the colorful bustle of vendors. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor gourmet meals and sip velvety local wines. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
 
Location: Provence, France
Instructor: Rose Irelan
Cost: starts at US $4,175
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Immerse yourself in the sun-dappled beauty of Provence on this unforgettable 8-day watercolor painting workshop taught by renowned artist Randy Hale. Picture yourself painting by the peaceful banks of the Sorgue river as the cheerful hum of cicadas fills the warm afternoon or strolling through the vibrant Provencal markets where the scent of lavender and freshly baked bread mingles with the colorful bustle of vendors. Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor gourmet meals and sip velvety local wines. With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
 
Location: Provence, France
Instructor: Randy Hale
Cost: starts at US $4,175
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713

Join us for the "Painting the Pastel Landscape: Tools, Tips & Techniques" workshop with the renowned artist Eve Miller. This exceptional event offers a unique opportunity to delve into Eve's innovative approach to capturing the beauty of landscapes with pastels. Participants will gain valuable insights into establishing correct values, while the workshop emphasizes mastering color temperature, composition, and mark-making. Each day features engaging demonstrations, and you'll receive personalized, one-on-one instruction to refine your skills. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a passionate beginner, this workshop promises to enhance your artistic journey and elevate your pastel landscapes to new heights. Don't miss the chance to learn from a true master—secure your spot today!
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Eve Miller
Cost: $500
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

These ongoing classes series of 4 meetings each, are for you, who wish to improve your painting and sketching skills of the Landscape. Painting from your window or from images you took yourself. Will be available to participants of any level! Classes offer individual instruction and assignments. In addition, I will be open to specific requests for technique or any artistic "problem" that you may want to talk about and work out. Finding shapes, colors, and color values. Using the brush as an extension of your hand, we can work looser. The class is on Mondays. Duration 2 hours (it is an international group check your time zone on the site)
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Tali Farchi
Cost: $125 for 4 meetings
Sponsor: Artist Table
Website, email, 0031624903316

Storytelling versus Story Painting? Or maybe not versus? Let’s tell your story in a painting. In this class, we will learn how to tell your story, convey atmosphere, and feel, and understand colors, lines, focal-point, framing, and depth. You can add (or deduct) from the painting that will tell your story! Let us hear your tale! an ongoing class and instructions. From the prehistoric images in the caves to Edward Hopper... from the bible in pictures to the most modern painters of our times... We will set our subjects in 4 meetings. If you miss a class there will be a recording available.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Tali Farchi
Cost: $125 for 4 meetings
Sponsor: Artist Table
Website, email, 0031624903316