Art Workshops, Classes & Retreats

Post Your Workshops or Classes
 

"Using Design & Color in your Paintings"
October 23-25, 2024
 

June will work with each person individually as well as with the group. Each participant will be working from photographs, either their own or one of June’s. She will bring her personal collection of photographs that she has painted from & that will make good paintings. June will concentrate on color and design so landscapes and figurative pieces will all be acceptable subjects. She will also address values, drawing, lighting, & other topics related to making great paintings. She will critique your art and you can also bring a finished painting for a critique. She takes each participant where they are and helps them to move up to the next level in their art.
 
Location: Bryan, Texas
Instructor: June Dudley
Cost: $350
Sponsor: Degallery
Website, email, +1(979)704-3090


"Granada in my Sketchbook"
October 25 - November 1, 2024
 

Granada in the south of Spain is one of the most exciting, different, and welcoming cities I know. So much is going on there in the culture historically and present. We will work mostly in our sketchbooks and Journals during our week in Granada. Moving around with only a backpack and light stools will be easier. We’ll be sketching alleys and mountains, the old casbah, and the famous Alhambra from inside and its surroundings—Flamenco performances in local bars, also gardens, and urban views. We will stay in beautiful accommodation in the heart of the old city, and from there we will have access to our sketching adventure.
 
Location: Granada, Spain
Instructor: Tali Farchi
Cost: €2900
Sponsor: Artist Table
Website, email, +31 6 24903316


"Color and the Landscape"
October 26, 2024
 

In this one-day workshop, you'll learn how to use color for emotional impact and scenic clarity in your landscape paintings. We'll see how color works in realistic and expressive landscapes throughout art history and apply those lessons to our paintings. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this workshop will allow you to slow down and explore color from a new angle. We will discuss how color is used to create depth, atmosphere, and mood in a painting and how the color of the sky disperses throughout a landscape, unifying and harmonizing everything you see. Students are welcome to work in oil, acrylic, or gouache.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Claire Haik
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Painting Retreat in Sicily, “Spirit, Mind, Body”"
October 27 - November 3, 2024
 

We invite you to join us in this relaxed, beautiful, historic place. Give yourself this time and space to joyfully become a better painter! The setting of Salinara, with its rustic beauty, farm fresh meals, and interesting excursions provides the perfect environment for our “Spirit,Mind,Body” experience. Your artistic SPIRIT will be recognized, encouraged, and celebrated as you work with other creative participants. Your MIND will be engaged by discussions of Art within the group, and your problem solving skills will be challenged as you are improving your painting ability. Your BODY will be nourished with fresh food, walks, biking, and yoga sessions. The emphasis on this workshop is to help promote skill-building with your painting, regardless of your level.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Qiang Huang and Suzanne Enriquez Dougher
Cost: From 2000 $
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email


"Drawing and Painting Open Studio"
October 29, 2024, 1-4pm
 

This will be an Open Studio with Sue Archer as the instructor available. These classes have been set up with the intent of helping the attendees with their drawing and painting skills and to move on to finished drawings and or paintings that you personally want to do. You may work with your own references and bring in your own still life that you are working from. Each day there will be a studio still-life set up; a model’s picture(s) on the monitor; and photos of landscapes to work from. However, you will be encouraged to take your own photos of landscapes and bring them to the studio.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Sue Archer
Cost: $50 per class
Sponsor: The New Studio for the Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712


"Classical Painting and Instruction"
Tuesdays, October 29 - November 19
 

Study with other artists who are committed to bringing their painting to the next level. Award-winning artist and instructor Gayle Levee will work with you to improve your brushwork, color, composition and drawing. This class is limited to ten students. Oil painters and acrylic painters are welcome.
 
Location: Franklin, Tennessee
Instructor: Gayle Levee, www.gaylelevee.com
Sponsor: On Track Studios
Website, email


"Impressionist Painting in Plein Air with Oils or Pastels"
October 30-31, 2024
 

Spend two lovely mornings outside learning how to paint with oils or pastels 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.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Carol Iglesias
Cost: $120
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Paint & Sip: Lowcountry Marsh"
November 1, 2024
 

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! This class requires zero experience.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Kristen Augustine
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Watercolor Floral"
November 1 & 2, 2024
 

Join nationally renowned watercolor artist, Alan Shuptrine, for a floral/mist and lace watercolor workshop. Focusing on regional floral landscapes, Alan will teach students how to create a watercolor from dark to light using wet and dry-brush techniques, how to utilize lighting and distance to create your composition and applying detail in the foreground. A painter known for his watercolor technical ability, sensitive and thought-provoking paintings, Shuptrine has extended his reputation from a renowned master craftsman and water gilder to a nationally acclaimed watercolorist. For more information, visit alanshuptrine.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Alan Shuptrine
Cost: $400 Museum members/ $450 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372


"Happy-Happy Landscape Painting"
November 2, 2024
 

Join Mike Ellis, an adjunct Professor at Villanova and Immaculata Universities, as he brings you Happy-Happy Landscape Painting. Based on the painting series of Bob Ross, Ellis has simplified and sped up the learning process of landscape painting by setting up "work stations." At the beginning of the workshop, Ellis will give a demo of an entire painting using the workstations. Students will then mirror those techniques along with guidance during the class in order to create their own painting. Mike's workstation approach enables anyone at any skill level to quickly and easily paint a beautiful landscape that you'll bring home that day! All supplies are provided for a $20 cash fee.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Mike Ellis
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Drawing and Painting Open Studio"
November 5, 2024, 1-4pm
 

This will be an Open Studio with Sue Archer as the instructor available. These classes have been set up with the intent of helping the attendees with their drawing and painting skills and to move on to finished drawings and or paintings that you personally want to do. You may work with your own references and bring in your own still life that you are working from. Each day there will be a studio still-life set up; a model’s picture(s) on the monitor; and photos of landscapes to work from. However, you will be encouraged to take your own photos of landscapes and bring them to the studio.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Sue Archer
Cost: $50 per class
Sponsor: The New Studio for the Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712


"Painting from Photographs (Oil Painting)"
Thursdays, November 7 - December 19, 2024
 

This class will explore the process of working in the studio from photographs Looking at both historic and contemporary examples, as well as class demonstrations and individual instruction. We will sort through the inherent strengths and weaknesses of using the photograph as the basis for a painting. Jon will also discuss ways to manipulate your photos with the iPhone and how to choose the best photos from which to work.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jon Redmond
Cost: $280
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Sketch Along with Vlad"
November 8, 2024
 

Join Sketch Along Class, where we will delve into the art of creating captivating compositions and mastering tonal values in your sketches. In this class, you will learn valuable techniques to transform your photos into compelling and visually striking artworks. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this Sketch Along Class is designed to enrich your understanding of composition, tonal values, and sketching techniques. During the class we will sketch 4 images to prepare for 4 Paint Along watercolor classes in November. Replay of live sessions will be available for a limited time to all participants or for purchase on Vimeo. Learn: Successful Composition; Understanding Light Distribution; Mastering Tonal Values; Identifying Areas of Interest; Drawing and Sketching Techniques.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $40
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865


"Paint Along with Vlad"
Sundays, November 10 - December 1, 2024
 

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 one painting Join one or all four classes and save. The replay of live sessions will be available to all registered students for a limited time on Vimeo.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $40 - $140
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865


"Drawing and Painting Open Studio"
November 12, 2024, 1-4pm
 

This will be an Open Studio with Sue Archer as the instructor available. These classes have been set up with the intent of helping the attendees with their drawing and painting skills and to move on to finished drawings and or paintings that you personally want to do. You may work with your own references and bring in your own still life that you are working from. Each day there will be a studio still-life set up; a model’s picture(s) on the monitor; and photos of landscapes to work from. However, you will be encouraged to take your own photos of landscapes and bring them to the studio.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Sue Archer
Cost: $50 per class
Sponsor: The New Studio for the Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712


"Oil Pastels: Surrealistic Landscapes"
November 12, 2024
 

Join 25+ year professional educator, Debi West, for this exciting half-day workshop! Students of all ages and levels are welcome to dive into the exhilarating medium of oil pastels. Explore the various techniques you can use to bring your landscapes to life! Debi will provide you with tips and different approaches you can take to escalate your artwork to the next level!
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Debi West
Cost: $40
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Exploring the Art of Acrylic Landscape Painting"
Thursdays, November 14 - December 19, 2024
 

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: $195
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Winter Glow: Capturing the Essence of Winter"
November 14, 2024
 

Discover the quiet beauty and subtle magic of winter in this watercolor workshop with renowned artist Michal Jasiewicz. In Winter Glow, you’ll explore how to capture the unique light, atmosphere, and textures that make winter landscapes so compelling. Michal will guide you step-by-step through watercolor techniques to create luminous winter scenes. You will learn how to use washes, layering, and blending to evoke the soft glow of winter light, delicate shadows, and the serene mood of winter’s chill. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this workshop will help you develop your skills and infuse your work with the tranquil beauty of the season.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Michal Jasiewicz
Cost: $79
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Drawing and Painting Open Studio"
November 19, 2024, 1-4pm
 

This will be an Open Studio with Sue Archer as the instructor available. These classes have been set up with the intent of helping the attendees with their drawing and painting skills and to move on to finished drawings and or paintings that you personally want to do. You may work with your own references and bring in your own still life that you are working from. Each day there will be a studio still-life set up; a model’s picture(s) on the monitor; and photos of landscapes to work from. However, you will be encouraged to take your own photos of landscapes and bring them to the studio.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Sue Archer
Cost: $50 per class
Sponsor: The New Studio for the Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712


"Expressive Landscapes in Gouache"
November 23, 2024
 

In this one-day workshop, paint several smaller works on paper using this highly pigmented medium known for its versatility and opaque qualities. Working from photos of your own or supplied images, discover ways to simplify, build layers to create harmonious scenes. Abby will start the day with a short demo.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Abby Ober
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Drawing and Painting Open Studio"
November 26, 2024, 1-4pm
 

This will be an Open Studio with Sue Archer as the instructor available. These classes have been set up with the intent of helping the attendees with their drawing and painting skills and to move on to finished drawings and or paintings that you personally want to do. You may work with your own references and bring in your own still life that you are working from. Each day there will be a studio still-life set up; a model’s picture(s) on the monitor; and photos of landscapes to work from. However, you will be encouraged to take your own photos of landscapes and bring them to the studio.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Sue Archer
Cost: $50 per class
Sponsor: The New Studio for the Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712


"Painting Landscapes in Alcohol Inks"
December 9, 2024
 

Alcohol inks have such a color intensity & personality unmatched by other mediums. It's not like any other art form. It’s so exciting to watch the inks move & flow & it happens right in your hands! Anyone can do it…no need to have experience. Each painting is totally unique, bright & powerful. Julie will walk you through all the steps. We'll be using the inks on Yupo paper as well as on tiles for amazing effects! Alcohol Inks can be applied on various surfaces like Yupo paper, glossy paper, metal, shrink plastic and glass. The ink is acid-free, fade-resistant & fast-drying. Students should bring $20 cash to pay instructor, who will provide all the materials you need.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Julie Schroeder
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Watercolor: Layered Papers, Reflected Light"
December 10-12, 2024
 

Join us for this exciting class with Julie Schroeder. Discover and energize your inner artist and loosen up with exciting new watercolor techniques. This will be a fun class with watercolor techniques. Using color, texture, layering, expressive mark making, & splattering, we'll be experimenting with different professional papers. In this workshop, our main project will be a lovely landscape created with handmade papers on 140lb watercolor paper. We'll be layering on beautiful rich color in a wet into wet beginning with a special technique combining papers layered onto the watercolor paper. This creates a beautiful textured 3-D look! Experienced painters as well as those who are new to watercolors will both enjoy this fun and exciting exploration of watercolor.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Julie Schroeder
Cost: $180
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Winter Landscape - Oil Painting Workshop"
December 11-13, 2024
 

The paintings of Al Slavin call to mind magical memories and the promise of a beautiful future. He has the unique ability to capture with brushstrokes all that is good and right with the world and condense it into mystical scenes of enchanted light. In this three-day workshop with Al you will learn how to use dynamic light in your landscape paintings to create an emotional bond with your viewer. We will focus on clouds and trees to showcase the light. Also emphasized: color theory, values, design and composition, the use of mediums and techniques. This oil painting workshop is for beginners, semiprofessionals, and professional artists.
 
Location: Bryan, Texas
Instructor: Al Slavin
Cost: $350
Sponsor: Degallery
Website, email, +1(979)704-3090


"Bold & Beautiful Watercolors"
December 11-13, 2024
 

Painting loosely doesn't just 'happen'; it comes from gaining a comfortable level with your skills and materials. However, some techniques can speed up this process. This workshop will focus on using value studies from the outset to identify the large shapes in a scene. We will move on toward color paintings with a lot of individual help and complete color painting lessons together. Demonstration paintings will be done by Andy every day to reinforce the day’s lessons. To loosen up, it is imperative to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish with your painting and then execute it quickly. This class will give you the tools and confidence to do just that.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Andy Evansen
Cost: $340
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Mixed Media: Lowcountry Light"
December 12, 2024
 

You'll create a wonderful coastal seascape with colors and the lighthouse of your choice! We will be achieving textures with many layers of paint and media. We will experiment with torn papers, string, napkins, stenciling, glue, paint, glitter and a variety of other interesting materials. Come let your creativity loose and have fun making this 3-Dimensional piece of art! Students should bring $20 cash to pay instructor for materials, which will all be provided for you.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Julie Schroeder
Cost: $60
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Happy-Happy Landscape Painting"
December 14, 2024
 

Join Mike Ellis, an adjunct Professor at Villanova and Immaculata Universities, as he brings you Happy-Happy Landscape Painting. Based on the painting series of Bob Ross, Ellis has simplified and sped up the learning process of landscape painting by setting up "work stations." At the beginning of the workshop, Ellis will give a demo of an entire painting using the workstations. Students will then mirror those techniques along with guidance during the class in order to create their own painting. Mike's workstation approach enables anyone at any skill level to quickly and easily paint a beautiful landscape that you'll bring home that day! All supplies are provided for a $20 cash fee.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Mike Ellis
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Online Live: Paint Along with Vlad"
Sundays thru December 31, 2024
 

Sundays: Live online classes + recordings. Level: for all ambitious watercolor artists of all levels. Time: 2-5pm ET. Photo references and pencil layouts will be provided by email 2 days prior to each class. Video recording of the class will be available to replay and practice. 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 one painting
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $40
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865


"Capturing Reflections with Pastels"
January 7-9, 2025
 

Expand your skills with the vibrancy of soft pastels. 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 believable reflections, 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 reference photographs 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


"Capturing Clouds with Oils or Acrylics"
January 14-16, 2025
 

Expand your painting skills with Oil or Acrylics. 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 beautiful color in your clouds, 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 reference photographs 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


"Beginner Watercolor Painting"
January 18, 2025
 

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


"The Ephemeral Subject: Mist & Haze in Soft Pastel"
January 27-29, 2025
 

Thankfully for artists, nature is not just blue skies. In this workshop, learn to create the subtle mysterious effects of mist and haze in your pastel landscape. Emphasis will be on use of tonal values, atmospheric perspective, planes in the landscape and handling of edges. The workshop will begin with a one-hour demo, followed by a tonal value exercise before beginning your pastel masterpiece. Each attendee will have plenty of instruction at their easel. Working from your own photos of mist and haze is encouraged. Each day attendees will leave with a finished painting. I will provide hand-outs for each attendee and specific books I love and refer to.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Lisa Regopoulos
Cost: $520
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"The Ephemeral Subject: Mist & Haze in Soft Pastel, 1 Day en Plein Air"
January 30, 2025
 

Thankfully for artists, nature is not just blue skies. In this workshop, learn to create the subtle mysterious effects of mist and haze in your pastel landscape. Emphasis will be on use of tonal values, atmospheric perspective, planes in the landscape and handling of edges. The workshop will begin with a one-hour demo, followed by a tonal value exercise before beginning your pastel masterpiece. Each attendee will have plenty of instruction at their easel. Working from your own photos of mist and haze is encouraged. Each day attendees will leave with a finished painting. I will provide hand-outs for each attendee and specific books I love and refer to.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Lisa Regopoulos
Cost: $175
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Watercolor for Intermediate to Advanced Level Artists"
Mondays, February 3-24, 2025
 

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


"Expressive Color Palette Knife Painting"
February 4-6, 2025
 

Join us for this exciting 3-Day palette knife workshop. This workshop will focus on helping you learn the tools for making impressionistic paintings using palette knife techniques along with composition and color theory to create the best painting. Join us and add more excitement to your paintings. Students will learn to alter their source materials to create horizontal, square and vertical compositions! Daily demonstrations will be given on different subjects using different surfaces each time! Experience the joy of clean color and energy in your painting. These techniques work well for both studio and plein air painting.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Trish Weeks
Cost: $400
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Open Impressionism - Acrylic Landscape Painting"
February 9, 2025
 

Charles Wallis is an accomplished painter and was even recognized by the Texas House of Representatives with a resolution acknowledging his contribution to the art world in Texas. We all love the works of the French and other impressionists. You will create an impressionist landscape under the direction of Wallis during this one-day workshop. The painting will be done in acrylic paints.
 
Location: Bryan, Texas
Instructor: Charles Wallis
Cost: $180
Sponsor: Degallery
Website, email, +1(979)704-3090


"Studio Colombia Art & Eat - Art and Food Workshop in South America"
February 18-26, 2025
 

Join our unique art workshop in South America and experience the stunning Caribbean coast from Puerto Colombia (Barranquilla) to Cartagena. Learn perspective drawing and the fundamentals of watercolors and taste the best of Colombian Caribbean food and culture. After an art class, try a "mojarra con arroz con coco" with a cold Colombian beer. Sketch on the beach, attend cooking demonstrations by local chefs, join a street food tour, and more. The price of CAD 3050 per person (around US$2250) includes eight-night double accommodation in well rated hotels, all ground transportation, all breakfasts, one lunch, two suppers, one street food tour, art instruction, cooking presentations, art supplies, and more. Single rooms available for CAD 810 (around US$ 600).
 
Location: Cartagena, Colombia
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$2250
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789


"Mastering Watercolor Techniques"
February 21-23, 2025
 

3-day Studio Workshop. Students will learn how to approach complicated scenery and to convey its character without resorting to endless details' depiction, and master watercolor application techniques in a loose bold brush style of painting. Included in this workshop: How to define existing scapes into three focal planes to tackle any subject matter; use different painting techniques for each focal plane; finish your painting with intricate details and energize your painting with powerful brushwork; paint loose and where and why to use a particular application technique in your painting and how to apply the power of unifying wash; use the sword liner for painting trees, brunches, wires, polls and other details requiring calligraphy; use of white gouache for highlight.
 
Location: Dahlonega, Georgia
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $625
Sponsor: Art Loft
Website, email, 706-429-6008


"Natural Abstract"
March 5-7, 2025
 

Expand your artist’s eye by learning different ways of seeing, loosen your grip on realism, and move into an exploration of essence. In this workshop, you’ll interpret your observations of the surrounding natural environment to create abstract art that is wholly your own. With an iterative approach, you’ll lean into different mediums, including watercolor, graphite, oil pastel and cut paper, to distill the characteristics of landscape. Along the way, creative process insights are shared that can free your hand and strengthen your visual voice. This workshop is appropriate for all levels of students.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Meg Kaczyk
Cost: $350
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Watercolor for Intermediate to Advanced Level Artists"
Fridays, March 7-28, 2025
 

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


"Beyond the Photo: Capturing Light and Essence in Watercolors"
March 10-12, 2025
 

This workshop will equip you with the skills and knowledge to break free from photo references and create artworks that resonate with the light and atmosphere of plein air painting. We will move beyond simply copying photographs & instead focus on creating painterly and convincing watercolors that capture the essence of plein air work. The key to this transformation is learning how to paint light rather than just rendering objects as they appear in the photo. As a professional artist, understanding how to paint light is what sets you apart.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $595
Sponsor: The New Studio for The Visual Arts
Website, email, (561) 295-5712


"Paint & Sip: Lowcountry Marsh"
March 13, 2025
 

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! This class requires zero experience.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Kristen Augustine
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Tonalism"
March 16, 2025
 

Tonalism is a uniquely American art form focused on the feeling, mood or emotion of the scene rather than producing a realistic representation of the subject. Often painting scenes of very early morning, very late in the evening, or foggy, rainy days, the tonalists used subtle colors that were restful and harmonious to the eye and employed soft and lost edges to create atmospheric perspective and a poetic feeling. We will review the characteristics of tonalism, and example works by famous painters. Following a demonstration, students will work on their own paintings with one-on-one consultation from the instructor. The instructor will demonstrate using soft pastels, but students are welcome to use the medium of their choice.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Robert Wortmann
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Colorful Horizons: A Dive into Luminous Oil Painting"
March 19-21, 2025
 

Unleash your creativity and add depth to your paintings in this adventurous and fun-filled course. Begin with a transparent underpainting, then layer earth tones and vibrant highlights to create depth and glow. Experiment with brushes, palette knives, paper towels, and even your fingers to discover new techniques. Learn the importance of focal points and composition, using complementary colors to unify your work. Subjects may include sunrises, sunsets, moonlight, seascapes, marshes, and florals (reference photos provided) but please feel free to bring your own inspirations too. After a morning demo each day; start a painting and continue working on it the next morning. No pressure—this class is about exploration and finding your own unique style. Come join us!
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Peggy Ellis
Cost: $500
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"The World of Watercolor"
March 20-23, 2025
 

Learn the art of watercolor from the finest artists around the world over 4 instruction-packed days. Learn new techniques, explore inspiring ways to approach watercolor, and tell powerful stories through your art. World of Watercolor 2025 begins on Thursday, March 20th with an optional Beginner’s Day. It is a great opportunity for both new and seasoned artists to sharpen their knowledge of basic watercolor skills and techniques. In-depth instruction from extraordinary artists continues Friday, March 21st through Sunday, March 23rd. Your ticket gives you access to replays of each session, downloadable reference images from the instructors, and a supportive community of students worldwide to share your artwork with. The beautiful world of watercolor awaits you!
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: 15+ artists
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Landscapes & Seascapes in Pastel"
Fridays, March 24 - April 14, 2025
 

Join instructor Robert Wortmann for this 4-week course designed for those who want to learn about the pastel medium and conquer their fears of painting landscapes or seascapes. In this course, students will first explore the variety of soft pastels and the surfaces that can be used to create paintings. These exercises will be used to get students to quickly familiarize themselves with the medium. Then Robert will show and encourage students to experiment with techniques to create the results we desire. Students will then create their own landscape, or seascape works with the help and guidance of the instructor. This class is appropriate for beginner and intermediate level students. The instructor will adjust lessons according to each student's skill level.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Robert Wortmann
Cost: $200
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Catch the charm of Sicily with expressive bold strokes and colourful"
April 5-12, 2025
 

Amit Kapoor is a leading master of watercolor in India. Join us for a unique and exceptional watercolor painting workshop in Sicily with the Indian artist Amit Kapoor. It’s a beautiful opportunity for you to live and paint with a master artist in an authentic Sicilian farmhouse located just 500 m from the Mediterranean sea. Participants will learn Amit’s techniques and process to paint Plein-Air and in studio, how to be expressive with bold brush strokes and colourful palette. Limited single rooms for a supplement.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Amit Kapoor
Cost: From € 2150
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email


"Travel Sketching in Watercolor"
April 6-10, 2025
 

Join me for 4 days of sketching with watercolor in beautiful Sonoma. We’ll enjoy the free-flowing and colorful nature of watercolor at its best while sketching and having fun! I’ll help you develop observation skills, color awareness, simple design principles and learn about light and shadows. We’ll investigate various techniques, sketching tools, and approaches to watercolor. Enjoy time with fellow artists, instruction and friendly critiques.
 
Location: Sonoma, California
Instructor: Brenda Swenson
Cost: $1,590
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Gouache Painting Technique"
April 6, 2025
 

Join award-winning artist Natalia Andreeva for this gouache painting workshop. Natalia will do demonstrations in gouache, but other mediums are welcome. Natalia will lead you through the steps of designing your composition, format selection, judgments of perspective and illumination; she will discuss techniques of working with color and will take you all the way, till the very final touch. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn how to create impressionistic art with a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society.
 
Location: Bryan, Texas
Instructor: Natalia Andreeva
Cost: $180
Sponsor: Degallery
Website, email, +1(979)704-3090


"Travel Sketching in Watercolor"
April 11-15, 2025
 

Join me for 4 days of sketching with watercolor in beautiful Sonoma. We’ll enjoy the free-flowing and colorful nature of watercolor at its best while sketching and having fun! I’ll help you develop observation skills, color awareness, simple design principles and learn about light and shadows. We’ll investigate various techniques, sketching tools, and approaches to watercolor. Enjoy time with fellow artists, instruction and friendly critiques.
 
Location: Sonoma, California
Instructor: Brenda Swenson
Cost: $1,590
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Painting Magic with Debra Huse"
April 14-18, 2025
 

Simplify and edit to achieve maximum drama and beauty in your paintings. Debra will teach you how to design for powerful landscapes and how to get thick paint and clean, juicy paintings. Learn the secrets to painting clouds, mountains, boats, and trees, and capturing sparkle on the water. Break old habits and bring a new, more confident, approach to your work. Debra Huse is an award-winning, impressionist oil painter. Painting primarily En Plein Air, she is acclaimed for her joyful use of color and bold brushwork. Her work has been featured on the cover of Southwest Art, Art of the West, Plein Air, and Fine Art Connoisseur Magazines and has been exhibited in over 25 museums.
 
Location: Newport Beach, California
Instructor: Debra Huse
Cost: $950.00
Sponsor: Huse Skelly Gallery
Website, email


"Painting for Travelers"
April 19-26, 2025
 

A Watercolor Painting Workshop with Anita Winter. Known all over the world for its beauty, Provence is the artist's dream destination. Anita Winter will lead a group of watercolor painters on this painting adventure. During the days, we will explore Luberon, and its spectacular countryside of vineyards and orchards, fascinating "perched" hill-top villages, outstanding natural produce and the light of Van Gogh and Cezanne. You will soon see why artists of all calibers are drawn to this alluring area.
 
Location: Bonnieux, Provence, France
Instructor: Anita Winter
Cost: $3,890
Sponsor: Alpine Creative Tours
Website, email, 970-846-9000


"Watercolor Painting Workshop: Painting in Studio + Cultural Visits"
April 29 - May 4, 2025
 

Come and paint in beautiful Santa Fe! Carol Carter will share her unique watercolor technique, painting from background to foreground, using dynamic and inventive color. We will begin each day in the studio with a watercolor tutorial where Carol will share her watercolor techniques. The workshop will provide templates, reference photos and materials information. The session will conclude with a small critique around 4pm. At the end of the day, we will walk the beautiful downtown of Santa Fe for some museums visit, wine tasting, photography, sketching, and of course we will give you free time for shopping. Relax, enjoy, learn a new watercolor technique or two among the camaraderie of other artists while savoring great local food.
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Carol Carter
Cost: $1,690
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Watercolor Sketching and Journaling"
May 4-9, 2025
 

Join me for an unforgettable painting holiday in Santa Fe, a region famous for its stunning scenery and captivating light. During the workshop, all of the logistics will be taken care of by my good friends at French Escapade. All we have to do is relax and enjoy our days spent sketching in this strikingly beautiful part of New Mexico. We’ll have plenty of time to capture once-in-a-lifetime experiences on the pages of our watercolor journals. My teaching will focus on illustrated watercolor journaling. You’ll learn how to add style and interest to your sketchbook pages through the use of unique page layouts and borders, and we’ll cover several fun new lettering styles. I’ll offer daily demonstrations of painting techniques.
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Leslie Fehling
Cost: $1,690
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Chasing the Painter’s Light to the Tuscan Landscape!"
May 7-14, 2025
 

Join Alyssa for a week of immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, and local color of the Tuscan landscape. Based in Beautiful Cortona, experience all the wonders Tuscany has to offer – the rolling countryside, picturesque hill towns, and breathtaking vistas through the eyes of the artist! With Alyssa’s guidance as a veteran plein-air painter and teaching artist who has spent the past two decades sharing her passion for travel and landscape painting throughout the US and Europe, this will be a week like no other! Get ready to improve your artistic knowledge, expand your creativity, build connections, and embed your experiences and memories of your Italian adventure in the beautiful artworks you create!
 
Location: Cortona, Italy
Instructor: Alyssa DeLaBruere
Cost: From US$3,990.00 All-inclusive except airfare
Sponsor: Toscana Americana Workshops
Website, email, 978-407-7127


"Watercolor Painting Workshop"
May 8-15, 2025
 

Join me in Carmel and Pacific Grove, where we’ll experience the wild beauty of rugged Pacific shores, the enchanting fairy-tale cottages, and historic Mission architecture that make this place so unique. I’ve designed this workshop to give you confidence sketching wherever you happen to be. I’ll show you how to keep your watercolour sketches loose, fresh and vibrant. And I’ll share my techniques for capturing the beauty that surrounds us, so you can savour it for years to come.
 
Location: Carmel, California
Instructor: David Daniels
Cost: $3,790 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Oil Painting Workshop: Watercolor, acrylics, gouache and pastel welcome"
May 9-16, 2025
 

I am so excited to teach you in this inspiring place while working outdoors in Plein Air as the Impressionist masters did! Paint the crystal blue Mediterranean waters with breathtaking vistas of the Catalonia coast, a hidden gem fishing village, botanical gardens, and medieval villages. As a painter and colorist, I have learned that the best way to achieve the feeling of light and color in your paintings is to paint outdoors. I will be your guide and teacher for an incredible week of painting, sightseeing, dining, and artistic community while we all learn and grow our artistry during the week. The experience of painting with other artists will be a treasure you carry with you for a lifetime.
 
Location: Costa Brava, Spain
Instructor: Rose Irelan
Cost: $3,790 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Oil Painting and Watercolor Workshop"
May 15-22, 2025
 

Join me for an amazing week of plein air painting in magnificent Provence, France! This is ‘Red poppy season’ and we’ll explore and paint the exciting spring colors of glorious Provence. I’m super excited to teach you painting in such an inspiring place! We’ll paint flower fields, countryside villages, waterways and hillside castle towns, quaint, flower-filled alleyways, medieval churches, fountains and ancient archways. We’ll paint our impressions, dine exquisitely, share gorgeous sights and creative companionship, all while learning and growing our craft. I will share my methods for creating successful paintings with loose brushwork and exciting color harmonies. I will demo in oil and watercolor, but am proficient and happy to help with acrylics and pastels as well.
 
Location: Fontaine de Vaucluse, France
Instructor: Maggie Hellmann
Cost: $3,940 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Painting Holidays: Plein air Painting Masterclass – The spirit of the Pyrenees Atlantiques"
May 17-24, 2025
 

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 2695€ for accommodation + 450€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Let the Land Guide Your Vision"
May 18-27, 2025
 

We explore the dramatic landscape of Doolin, County Clare, Ireland and translate its landscape, energy and lore into visual artwork. Our time together will be a balance between group excursions, individual exploration, and creation coupled with sharing and diving deeper into technique. We will establish a shared studio space as a center of operation as artists of any level work together in their preferred Media. Included in the retreat are 4 art workshops with Martin Bridge; field trips; 2 meals/day; housing and publication in an anthology of creativity (subject to vetting)—join us for this retreat of like-minded individuals connecting in various ways to the land in this very special place.
 
Location: Doolin, Ireland
Instructor: Martin Bridge
Cost: $1500-$2500 depending on accommodations
Sponsor: NatureCulture, and The Milk House
Website, email, 413-475-0650


"Watercolor Painting Workshop"
May 23-30, 2025
 

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


"The Lake Como Experience"
May 24-31, 2025
 

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


"Travel Sketching in Watercolor"
May 26 - June 2, 2025
 

Join me for one week of sketching with watercolor in beautiful Provence! Drawing while traveling is the best way to experience and remember a new place. Traveling is also a perfect opportunity to learn or hone your drawing skills. When we see new sights everything strikes us as unusual, memorable and inspiring. We have a natural desire to admire new vistas, taste new flavors, inhale unusual aromas and record these sensations through taking photos, but also through drawing and writing. For me, drawing while traveling is instinctual, and I am eager to share my passion to fully immerse yourself in a new place through the practice of travel sketching.
 
Location: Fontaine de Vaucluse, France
Instructor: Rita Sabler
Cost: $3,940 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"A Sense of Place in Tuscany"
May 28 - June 4, 2025
 

Join Alison for a week of joyful exploration of Place, in the beautiful city of Cortona in the heart of Tuscany. In ancient squares, by fountains or in cafes, Alison will show you simple ways to capture buildings and include figures in your sketches. Overlooking vineyards and far off hills, we’ll explore how to simplify the scene to focus on important elements and create depth. Drawing and painting on loose pages rather than in a watercolour journal, allows us to loosen up and have fun with experimental techniques and a variety of media. We’ll work with watercolour, pen, ink, marker, on different papers, to create images, which we will curate into your personal concertina art book of your Cortona experience.
 
Location: Cortona, Italy
Instructor: Alison Watt
Cost: From US$3,850.00 All-inclusive except airfare
Sponsor: Toscana Americana Workshops
Website, email, 978-407-7127


"Painting Lake Como in Watercolor"
May 31 - June 7, 2025
 

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


"Painting the Poetic Landscape"
June 1-5, 2025
 

Barbara offers workshops in pastel or oil, or both, focusing on landscapes. Her workshops are primarily in the studio, but she may occasionally offer a plein air portion to a workshop if requested. All demos are in the studio. Her teaching style includes daily demonstrations, during which she talks through each step and allows questions. She provides exercises that have very specific objectives so that students are able to see achievable results and she offers plenty of individual assistance at the easel. Barbara holds Signature Memberships in Oil Painters of America and American Impressionist Society, is a Master Pastelist with the Pastel Society of America, and an Eminent Pastelist with the International Association of Pastel Societies.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Barbara Jaenicke
Cost: $1144 + Materials fee
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-916-0514


"Painting in the French Alps: Travel Sketching in Watercolor"
June 4-11, 2025
 

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


"Watercolor Painting Workshop"
June 7-14, 2025
 

Join acclaimed watercolorist and instructor, Margie Samuels, for a magical week of painting in beautiful Provence! Each day will start with a short morning lesson, reviewing the watercolor skills that you will be using in that day’s landscape. These lessons will focus on the specific techniques that you’ll need to take your painting to the next level, including: Creating Stronger Compositions; Putting Depth in Your Paintings (with Perspective); Employing Thoughtful Color Mixing; Painting People into your Landscapes for Interest and Movement. This workshop caters to all skill levels, focusing on foundational techniques. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, my goal is to equip you with the skills for creating vibrant paintings!
 
Location: Fontaine de Vaucluse, France
Instructor: Margie Samuels
Cost: $3,940
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Studio Italia - Art workshop in Tuscany offered since 1997"
June 10-19, 2025
 

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


"Painting in the French Alps: Travel Sketching in Watercolor"
June 11-18, 2025
 

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


"Netherlands and Belgium - Painting Tour"
June 14-22, 2025
 

The unique aspect of this tour is the opportunity to explore two incredible countries in a single trip, witnessing the diversity of landscapes, architecture, and culture as you hop between the Netherlands and Belgium. You'll be guided by our knowledgeable instructor, Vlad, along with wonderful local guides. Are you ready to embark on a journey that combines art, history, delicious cuisine, and unforgettable camaraderie? Look no further! Vlad's Painting and Cultural Tour in the Netherlands and Belgium promises to be the highlight of your summer. We invite you to check out the itinerary for this trip to explore the exciting activities and destinations we have planned.
 
Location: Bruges & Ghent, Belgium
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $3,950.00
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865


"Netherlands and Belgium - Painting Tour"
June 14-22, 2025
 

The unique aspect of this tour is the opportunity to explore two incredible countries in a single trip, witnessing the diversity of landscapes, architecture, and culture as you hop between the Netherlands and Belgium. You'll be guided by our knowledgeable instructor, Vlad, along with wonderful local guides. Are you ready to embark on a journey that combines art, history, delicious cuisine, and unforgettable camaraderie? Look no further! Vlad's Painting and Cultural Tour in the Netherlands and Belgium promises to be the highlight of your summer. We invite you to check out the itinerary for this trip to explore the exciting activities and destinations we have planned.
 
Location: Leiden, The Netherlands
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $3,950.00
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865


"Sketching in pen, ink and watercolor"
June 14-21, 2025
 

Join me for a week in Provence, where we will spend our week traveling and sketching and capturing all our experiences in our sketchbook. We will sometimes sketch quick vignettes on the go, and at other times, we will paint more immersive panoramas where we slow down to capture the essence of place in a single piece. Our travels will take us to beautiful riverside villages, lavender fields, cliffs of ochre and gardens where Van Gogh sketched. There will be markets and town squares to draw in and gourmet food to enjoy and capture in our sketches. All in all, you are promised a week filled with rich experiences and lots of art tips to up your travel-sketching game!
 
Location: Provence, France
Instructor: Suhita Shirodkar
Cost: $3,940 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Painting in the French Alps: Oil Painting Workshop"
June 18-25, 2025
 

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


"Painting Holidays: Mood & Atmosphere in the Medium of Your Choice with Kevin Scully"
June 21-28, 2025
 

Join Kevin Scully at the beautiful Atelier Clos Mirabel estate in the French Pyrenees for a week of drawing and painting in the medium of your choice. During this painting holiday the emphasis will be on creating work that captures the sense of space and mood of our delightful surroundings, and producing paintings that are both loose in style, and enigmatic in atmosphere. Kevin Scully will be giving plenty of demonstrations as well as providing individual guidance in choosing the right materials, choosing a composition, tonal arrangement, and suitable colour schemes to help you produce some exciting paintings. Whether your favourite medium is oils, watercolours, acrylics, or pastels, the retreat is for painters of all levels of experience.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Kevin Scully
Cost: 1595€ to 2695€ for accommodation + €400 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Loose and Free Watercolor Workshop"
June 22-29, 2025
 

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


"Atelier Provence and Barcelona Art Tour"
June 25 - July 6, 2025
 

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


"Atelier Provence and Barcelona Art Tour"
June 25 - July 6, 2025
 

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


"Painting Holidays: Paint Your Bliss! Painting in the French Pyrenees with Kat O’Connor"
June 28 - July 5, 2025
 

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 2695€ for accommodation + $575 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Oil Painting in Giverny and Monet's Garden"
June 30 - July 7 , 2025
 

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: $3,840 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Sketching Vivid Landscapes with Jenny Adam"
July 19-26, 2025
 

Experience the beauty of South West France through the lens of Urban Sketching! Immerse yourself in the playful world of mixed media landscapes guided by Sketchbook artist Jenny Adam. This dynamic workshop with Jenny Adam offers a harmonious blend of techniques, allowing you to simplify nature’s complexity while infusing your artwork with texture, color, and emotion. We will work on location, discovering the landscapes and villages, but also make time for exploring art in the comfort of the atelier. Course Highlights include: Playful Drawing Techniques, Understanding Media Properties, and Exploratory Exercises.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Jenny Adam
Cost: 1595€ to 2695€ for accommodation + 320€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Studio Watercolor Workshop"
July 21-24, 2025
 

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


"Navigating the Three Planes of Vision in Watercolor"
August 1-3, 2025
 

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


"Sketchbook Masterclass in Ink and Watercolour"
August 23-30, 2025
 

Join Róisín Curé for a fun week exploring the joys of sketching. Create your own original artwork and discover a beautiful area of France. As an artist, confidence is key. The path to confidence comes down to two things: volume of work produced, and being guided correctly. In this immersive, week-long course I will demonstrate and teach the key elements that will raise your game as an on-location sketcher: composition, accurate drawing technique, mechanics of watercolour for beauty and control, using a limited colour palette, and rendering correct values. Each day we’ll be out and about (or in studio in the case of bad weather), choosing small scenes in which you can capture a beautiful vignette of the area.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Róisín Curé
Cost: 1295€ to 2495€ for accommodation + 500 Euros tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Watercolor Painting & Sketching"
August 25 - September 1, 2025
 

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


"Watercolor sketching and Journaling"
August 30 - September 6, 2025
 

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


"Watercolor Painting & Sketching"
September 4-11, 2025
 

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


"Watercolor sketching"
September 6-13, 2025
 

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


"Watercolor Painting Workshop in Provence"
September 11-18, 2025
 

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


"Watercolor Sketching and Journaling in Western Sicily"
September 20-27, 2025
 

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


"Oil painting and gouache"
September 20-27, 2025
 

Come join me for an amazing week of plein air painting in beautiful Provence, France! We will have gorgeous views to paint of cute medieval villages, colorful markets, rivers, olive trees, etc… It is also a place to enjoy gourmet cheese and wine, ratatouille and creme brûlée! You can choose to work with Oil &/or Gouache in this workshop. I will be doing daily demos and assisting you with your paintings. I enjoy teaching and will be there with you to help strengthen your painting skills and artistic voice. We will focus on design, color mixing, and capturing the mood of the day by understanding atmospheric perspective. This workshop is open to beginner and intermediate students.
 
Location: Luberon, France
Instructor: Ellen Howard
Cost: $3,940 before Jan 31
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Marouatte Castle France Painting Retreat"
September 30 - October 7, 2025
 

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


"Studio Italia - Art workshop in Tuscany offered since 1997"
October 1-10, 2025
 

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


"Immersive watercolor workshop in Sicily"
October 4-11, 2025
 

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


"Painting Holidays: Painting Light in Oils with Jenny Aitken"
October 4-11, 2025
 

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 2695€ for accommodation + £500 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"5-star Greece & Turkey Painting Cruise"
October 6-16, 2025
 

Ports: Athens, Volos, Istanbul, Ephesus, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos. Join our luxurious painting and cultural tour onboard Celebrity Infinity, starting from the historic city of Athens and exploring the stunning Greek islands and Turkey. This journey offers a perfect blend of painting experience lead by award-winning master watercolorist Vladislav Yeliseyev and deep cultural immersion, with private tours ensuring an intimate and enriching experience. This tour is designed for everyone - whether you wish to learn from Vlad, paint independently, or simply enjoy the journey as a non-painter. Immerse yourself in the rich culture, breathtaking scenery, and artistic inspiration that the Mediterranean has to offer. This journey promises not only a lavish vacation but also an unforgettable artistic odyssey around Aegean Sea!
 
Location: Celebrity Cruise, Greece
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: from $4985
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865


"Landscape Painting at Atelier Clos Mirabel"
October 25 - November 1, 2025
 

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


"Atmospheric Landscape in Watercolor"
March 8-13, 2026
 

This is one of the most favorite genres for watercolor artists. In this course we will analyze the three basic principles of landscape construction — three rules without which it is simply impossible to create a convincing and expressive watercolor. You will learn how to create atmospheric landscapes by manipulating tonal values, color and edge. Michael will show how to paint luminous landscapes and how to add emotions to your artwork. You will understand how to draw the right sketch and capture a picture in a dynamic and fresh style. You can expect plenty of individual attention and helpful demonstrations throughout the workshop.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Michael Solovyev
Cost: $1144 + Materials fee
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-916-0514


"The Art of Travel Sketching"
March 21-28, 2026
 

Join Rita Sabler for a week of travel sketching in South West France. Document your journey in a sketchbook using ink and watercolour. Let images and words work together in harmony to tell the story of place. Have you ever arrived in a new place and been immediately overwhelmed by its unique character and beauty? Our natural instinct is to capture this beauty, to cherish and remember it. Taking photos provides a quick and easy solution, but doesn’t allow you to really look and absorb the place with all of your senses to truly make it yours. Join us in this magical place with majestic mountains and hidden villages, creating a travel sketchbook that truly captures the place and honors its beauty.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Rita Sabler
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 450€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Sketching on the Rhine River Cruise"
July 3-10, 2026
 

We’ve chartered the entire ship! So, excluding the friendly crew and staff, just about every passenger will be a fellow sketcher! Your three master workshop instructors are: Brenda Swenson, Shari Blaukopf and Suhita Shirodkhar! This once-in-a-lifetime creative journey includes: 8 days and 7 nights of luxury travel on the historic River Rhine, from Amsterdam through Nijmegen-Arnheim (Holland), to Cologne and Mainz (Germany), through Strasbourg and Ribeauvillé (France), finally docking in Basel (Switzerland). Enjoy on-board sketching sessions, where you’ll learn how to quickly capture natural scenes, skies and townscapes as we sail to our next destination. You will have time to wander, shop and absorb local culture at every stop — or simply sit and continue sketching to your heart’s content.
 
Location: Strasbourg & Ribeauvillé, France
Instructor: Brenda, Shari and Suhita
Cost: starts at € 4,990
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Sketching on the Rhine River Cruise"
July 3-10, 2026
 

We’ve chartered the entire ship! So, excluding the friendly crew and staff, just about every passenger will be a fellow sketcher! Your three master workshop instructors are: Brenda Swenson, Shari Blaukopf and Suhita Shirodkhar! This once-in-a-lifetime creative journey includes: 8 days and 7 nights of luxury travel on the historic River Rhine, from Amsterdam through Nijmegen-Arnheim (Holland), to Cologne and Mainz (Germany), through Strasbourg and Ribeauvillé (France), finally docking in Basel (Switzerland). Enjoy on-board sketching sessions, where you’ll learn how to quickly capture natural scenes, skies and townscapes as we sail to our next destination. You will have time to wander, shop and absorb local culture at every stop — or simply sit and continue sketching to your heart’s content.
 
Location: Amsterdam & Nijmegen-Arnheim, The Netherlands
Instructor: Brenda, Shari and Suhita
Cost: starts at € 4,990
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Sketching on the Rhine River Cruise"
July 3-10, 2026
 

We’ve chartered the entire ship! So, excluding the friendly crew and staff, just about every passenger will be a fellow sketcher! Your three master workshop instructors are: Brenda Swenson, Shari Blaukopf and Suhita Shirodkhar! This once-in-a-lifetime creative journey includes: 8 days and 7 nights of luxury travel on the historic River Rhine, from Amsterdam through Nijmegen-Arnheim (Holland), to Cologne and Mainz (Germany), through Strasbourg and Ribeauvillé (France), finally docking in Basel (Switzerland). Enjoy on-board sketching sessions, where you’ll learn how to quickly capture natural scenes, skies and townscapes as we sail to our next destination. You will have time to wander, shop and absorb local culture at every stop — or simply sit and continue sketching to your heart’s content.
 
Location: Cologne & Mainz, Germany
Instructor: Brenda, Shari and Suhita
Cost: starts at € 4,990
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Watercolour with Barbara Hirsekorn"
July 4-11, 2026
 

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


"Painting the landscape (but seeing more)"
Ongoing classes
 

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


"Story Painting"
Ongoing classes
 

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


"Vibrant Street Scenes"
video course
 

In this video course, Michal Jasiewicz guides you through his creative processes both for painting plein-air and in-studio. Each demo begins with an explanation of selecting and analyzing a subject to plan for the composition. He will then explain his process step by step from the initial sketch through adding the finishing details. The course was filmed in Lucca, Italy. Included in the course are four complete painting demonstrations, two outdoors on location and two in-studio, for a total of 4+ hours of video content. Throughout the course, you’ll work on thoughtfully-designed exercises that help you hone your watercolor skills and projects that help you breathe life into your own paintings.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Michal Jasiewicz
Cost: $99
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Seeing the Natural World"
video course
 

In this video course, award-winning watercolorist, Thomas Schaller, will demonstrate how to capture the experience of the natural world through watercolor. Tom will guide you in your pursuit of developing your own creative voice by helping you discover various expressive ways to depict the effects of light, shadow, and atmosphere and most effectively paint the world around you. Tom will share his creative process and technique with you as he paints skies, water, reflections, and landscape elements. You will also develop various methods to paint atmospheric conditions like fog, night skies, rain, and more. The course was filmed in Tom's studio and includes two complete painting demonstrations for a total 3+ hours of video lessons.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Thomas W. Schaller
Cost: $119
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Loose & Vivid Landscapes"
video course
 

In this immersive video course, award-winning watercolorist, Andy Evansen, guides you through his entire painting process. The course begins with instruction on selecting scenes, as well as manipulating and using reference photos in the studio. In each of the painting demonstrations, Andy will focus on sketching and using value studies from the outset to identify the large shapes in a scene. He will then move on toward completing the color paintings. The course was filmed in Andy's home state of Minnesota and includes three complete painting demonstrations, two stunning landscapes and one serene street scene, for a total of 5+ hours of video content. This course is for artists at all levels.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Andy Evansen
Cost: $109
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Scenes in Italy"
video course
 

In this video course, Italian watercolorist, Igor Sava, takes you through his entire painting process. He will walk you through creating a story from a reference image and modifying the subject. You will also learn about Igor’s materials, compositional and design choices, mixing pigments to create warm and cool tones and more! This course was filmed in Italy. Included are 2 complete painting demonstrations filmed in studio for a total of 4+ hours of video content. Throughout the course, you’ll work on thoughtfully-designed exercises that help you hone your watercolor skills and projects that help you breathe life into your own paintings.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Igor Sava
Cost: $99
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Simplifying Landscapes"
video course
 

This video course is for artists at all levels who want to learn to paint natural landscapes or urban scenes with confidence. Whether you are looking to develop your plein-air skills, improve your ability to capture natural light and colors in your studio work, or enhance your natural and urban compositions - award-winning watercolorist Andy Evansen will cover it all! He guides you through the complete plein air painting process, from setting up on location, selecting a scene, understanding natural light and shadow, using simple shapes to create striking compositions, drawing with confidence, and finishing a painting. The course was filmed outdoors on location and includes three complete painting demonstrations with two charming landscapes and one bustling urban scene.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Andy Evansen
Cost: $109
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Water Scenes in Madrid"
video course
 

This course is for artists at all levels who want to learn to paint natural landscapes and waterscapes with confidence. Whether you are looking to develop your plein-air skills, improve your ability to capture natural light and colors in your studio work, or enhance your natural compositions - Pablo will cover it all in this course! An award-winning plein air artist, Pablo has spent over a decade specializing in the painting of water scenes. In this video course, Pablo will demonstrate how you can capture the ethereal flow, reflections, and color of water scenes. He’ll walk you through his set up, materials, palette, and explain his techniques for creating reflectivity, translucency, and fluidity in water scenes.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Pablo Ruben Lopez Sanz
Cost: $99
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Californian Cityscapes"
video course
 

In this video course, award winning watercolorist, Keiko Tanabe walks you through her process of painting in Plein Air. She will share how she selects a scene, creates a striking composition, and uses value and color to create mood in her work. This course was filmed outdoors on location in San Diego California, and includes three complete painting demonstrations with two harbor scenes and one beach scene. This course is for artists at all levels who want to learn to paint natural seascapes with confidence. Whether you are looking to develop your plein-air skills, improve your ability to capture natural light and colors in your studio work, or enhance your compositions - Keiko will cover it all in this course!
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Keiko Tanabe
Cost: $65
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Watercolor Explorer Program"
ongoing
 

Learn from the world's top watercolorists filmed in their studio and Plein-air on locations worldwide. Explore a range of techniques and weave dazzling new styles into your paintings through immersive video lessons, live workshops, and personal feedback. Engage with the artists live during weekly Zoom workshops. Instructors will take you behind the scenes as they create original works and answer your questions about their method and creative process. Hone your skills with thoughtfully designed projects and get feedback on your work from professional artists. Connect with a community of like-minded learners across all levels from around the world.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: 20+ top artists
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Everyday Life in Rome"
video course
 

In this video course, award-winning watercolorist Massimiliano Iocco guides you through the complete process of interpreting a scene to create a dynamic and engaging painting. You will see how Massimiliano focuses on the main subject of the scene and identifies which details to include, what to leave out and how to emphasize the main focus of the painting. The course was filmed outdoors in Rome, Italy. Included in the course are two complete painting demonstrations for a total of two and a half hours of instruction. Throughout the course, you’ll work on thoughtfully-designed exercises that help you hone your watercolor skills and projects that help you breathe life into your own paintings.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Massimiliano Iocco
Cost: $59
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Realism in Watercolor: A trip to Scotland"
video course
 

In this video course, award-winning watercolorist, John Salminen, will teach you how to capture the mood and atmosphere of a scene in watercolor. During John’s teaching tenure, he taught in Edinburgh, Scotland, for one year and fell in love with the incredible Scottish landscape. In his painting demonstration in this course, he has captured one small slice of what he found so appealing about the Scottish countryside. John will share his creative process of choosing a reference, sketching the scene, demonstrates various techniques including his techniques for masking and lifting, provide instruction on perspective, and how to create reflection and texture with watercolor. The course includes one complete painting demonstration for a total of 4 hours of video lessons.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: John Salminen
Cost: $99
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Perspective for Painters with Stephanie Bower"
video course
 

All great art starts with a great foundation, which means the bones of your sketch or painting should be solid. In this video course, architect, author, and urban sketcher, Stephanie Bower, guides you through the concepts of perspective and how to apply them to your work. Following along with three complete painting demonstrations, you will apply all these concepts to scenes in Venice, Croatia, and France. After this class, you’ll never have to fear or fake perspective again, and you’ll start to see perspective everywhere. It will change the way you see the world! This course is for artists at all levels who want to improve the foundation of their watercolor work and increase their understanding of perspective.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Stephanie Bower
Cost: $69
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Flow in Watercolor"
video course
 

In this video course, Anders Andersson shares his inner thoughts and techniques throughout the entire design process, breaking down each step in a way that makes it accessible and digestible for artists at any level. He hopes to edge you out of your comfort zone and leave you feeling confident and inspired. Painting with watercolor is unlike painting with any other medium. Anders says, “it’s all about curiosity, a journey through chaos and order.” Painting with watercolor teaches us to be okay with things we cannot control. Learning the soul of watercolor means tuning into the watercolor and allowing the watercolor to do its work. Join Anders on the journey of uncovering the personality of watercolor.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Anders Andersson
Cost: $99
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


"Simplifying Urban Scenes with Roberto Zangarelli"
video course
 

In this video course, award-winning watercolorist Roberto Zangarelli shows how to create a simple yet vivid urban scene. He will provide guidance through his entire process from using a reference image to guide and direct his drawing, using color to create emotion in his work, and capturing the light and shadow in the scene. The course was filmed in a studio in Rome, and includes two complete demonstrations for a total of two hours of instruction (in Italian with subtitles in English). This course is for artists at all levels who want to learn to paint urban scenes with confidence. Roberto will cover it all in this course!
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Roberto Zangarelli
Cost: $49
Sponsor: Terracotta
Website, email


 

Promote your art workshops, classes & retreats!

Advertising Options