Join landscape painter extraordinaire Joe Sweeney on location at historic Laurel Hill Mansion for this two-day workshop. Built in 1767, and nestled along the scenic Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park, Laurel Hill has a prominent location on a high bluff with a commanding view of the river. Joe Sweeney will paint along with you in these idyllic and historic surroundings, guiding you through color mixing to capture the tonal quality and character of the time of day, compositional fundamentals, and sound painting practices. Instruction is geared towards oil, acrylic, and pastel, but experienced watercolorists are welcome. Restrooms and plenty of free parking available.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Joseph Sweeney
Cost: $125
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Geometry has been a source of interest, beauty and creative inspiration for the artist through the ages. Geometry and geometric forms are all around us: lines, forms, and shapes can be seen in everything from architecture to plant life to seashells. Artist and educator Michael Smith will guide you through several non-mathematical working methods inspired by geometry in this workshop, designed to enhance your ongoing body of work or be the starting point for a new one. Create a painting in the medium of your choice: acrylic, gouache or watercolor while you work from your own reference photographs, magazines, books or digital imagery.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Smith
Cost: $125
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Do you jot down writings as you paint? Or maybe you have an ongoing writing practice. Join poet and artist Cathleen Cohen and explore the link between painting and poetry. Deepen and expand your creative process even if you've never written a poem before! Draw and paint with watercolor and write in response to helpful prompts in a supportive environment. Examine how artists like Jean Arp, Kenneth Patchen and Wassily Kandinsky linked the written word and visual art. All levels welcome.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Cathleen Cohen
Cost: $80
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Discover the beauty and versatility of watercolor through colorful and thoughtful still life arrangements. Discussions and in-depth demonstrations will acquaint beginners and those with limited experience with basic watercolor painting materials and techniques. A variety of approaches will be explored, and students will be encouraged to engage with the medium to find their own personal means of expression. Materials will be supplied to better acquaint newcomers to the practice, but students are welcome to bring their own supplies to gain guidance on, and familiarity with, their use. Tuition includes a $5 materials fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Keith Leitner
Cost: $220
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Learn the fundamentals of painting with gouache, an opaque watercolor paint. Painters of all levels will fall in love with it as a portable, fast-drying, and easy-to-clean-up alternative to oils – great for travel or limited working time and space. Explore color and painting techniques through still life and outdoor views. Learn to develop paint application techniques for fluidity and control with opaque and wash applications; gain the ability to mix color and to predict its effects; learn to incorporate principles of line, value, color and space for a greater command of the medium; work from still life and window views to learn how to representationally depict a variety of subject matter and recognize abstract concepts.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Allison Syverstesn
Cost: $185
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647