Workshops
Registrations for workshops requires a yearly membership which covers administration costs. You will receive email updates on our latest offerings. General membership is $30. Student and senior memberships are $25. Family memberships are $60. Registrations can be accomplished online with payment button under each class or you can mail in a check with the registration form here (PDF Registration Form). Deposit/Cancellation Policy at bottom.
In reopening from the COVID 19, we are following CT State guidelines and are maintaining our own guidelines.
Sight-Size Intensive
with Julie Beck
August 22-23: 2-Day Online Workshop, 9:30am - 3pm
Lunch 12-12:30pm
Day 1 we will go over sight size drawing, how it’s different from comparative measuring, the ideal sight-size set up, lighting, how to start a drawing and then develop it, check yourself, the pitfalls to avoid, and the tools you’ll need.
Day 2 we have 2 lectures in the morning about light logic and transitions/edges, and then we will do some critiques of “first marks” for people just getting started, and critiques for others who have bargue drawings in process. Critiques can be for paintings as well.
Figure Drawing
with Tyler Berry
Aug. 27-30; 4-Day Workshop 9:30 am-4:30 pm
Over the four days, students will strengthen their drawing skills and anatomical knowledge through drawing the figure from life. The class will begin with a series of short poses leading to one long pose for the four-day workshop. The instructor will guide the participants through the drawing process with demonstrations and individual critiques. The process begins with the block-in stage, which aims to capture the dynamic gesture through accurate proportion, shape design and structural anatomy. After the block-in, students will move into modeling form through an understanding of the light source. Comparative measurement, structural anatomy, materials, light and form will be discussed. Artists of all skill levels are encouraged to join. Model fee included.
Textures and Special Effects in Oil Painting
with Julie Beck
Sept. 11, One-Day Online Demo 9:30am - 3:30pm
Lunch 12:30 - 12:30
As a painter who is constantly looking for shortcuts and more efficient ways of painting things, Julie has stumbled on some tricks to achieving a variety of textures and effects. By understanding the properties of our materials, along with some basic concepts about light and form, and understanding how to work indirectly with oil paint we can make the paint do most of the work for us. In this class, Julie will cover the layering concepts to achieve different textures such as brick, old wood, fur, metal and more. Class format will be presentation/lecture, possibly some demo. All levels of experience are welcome! Students do not need any supplies for this class. Students will also receive a selection of files and links for future reference as well.
The Tonalist Landscape in Oils
with Dennis Sheehan
Sept. 19-22, 2020; 4-Day Workshop, 9:30am - 4:30pm
Dennis will impart the process of his poetic landscapes which favor Nature’s transitional moments — the breathtaking effects of dusk, dawn, and the stillness before storms. He will demonstrate how he builds his compositions by tonal contrast and translates value relationships into color relationships. In this way, nothing is arbitrary: paintings should exude a sense of organic correctness.
The goal is to have the painting emanate light, rather than be just a surface that records the reflections of light. The light areas are focal points of the effort, but the strength of a composition comes from understanding the shadows. This process gives darks pre-eminence: Dennis starts with darks and in a subtractive process, removes pigment to reveal subtle gradations of light, as well as his extensive use of glazes to bring a glowing dimensionality to his surfaces. Study with this master as he shares his understanding of the Old Masters.
With the COVID19 situation, there will be several opportunities to paint plein air. We have CT State guidelines to follow as well as our own procedures in the classroom. We will send these to you when you register.
Still Life in Oils on Copper
with Ben Shamback
5-Day Workshop 9:30 am-4:30 pm
In this 5-day workshop, students will be focusing on the fundamentals of still life painting in oils on a copper support. Emphasis will be placed on preparation methods of the metal, techniques specific to painting on copper, composition, value strategies, planar structure and color. Participants will be guided through the process of completing two small still-life paintings from start to finish. There will be daily demos, individual guidance and a daily slideshow/discussion. Subject matter will be up to each student.
Portrait Alla Prima
with Sandra Sanchez
3-Day Workshop 9:30 am-4:30 pm
In this workshop, students will capture the essence and humanity of the live model in the Alla Prima method, that is, completing an oil portrait sketch “at first attempt.” Sandra will guide artists through demonstration and individual critiques emphasizing a strong likeness with accurate drawing, color mixing, value relationships, modeling form and organizing value in relation to the light source. The course will embrace the student’s personal artistic goals and advance their understanding of the portrait.
This workshop is geared towards artists of all skill levels. The fee includes the model cost.
Plein Air: Bringing the Outside In
with Paul Batch
3-Day Workshop 9:30 am-4:30 pm
Please note this workshop is being moved to March 2021
In this workshop, you will be given the power to move mountains and trees -- on your canvas. We will paint plein air one day producing multiple grisailles and color studies in oils. On the second and third day, we will compose a new oil painting each day, applying what we learned outside and allowing ourselves the freedom of self expression in the studio.
Each morning will begin with a demonstration, followed by independent painting time with Paul providing personal help at the easel, and ending with a group critique. A strong emphasis will be placed on composition and drawing. All levels of students are welcome. The intent of this workshop is not to walk away with a nice picture of your afternoon but, to discover the value of painting outside and the power of creation in the studio.
Still Life Workshop in Oils
with Carlo Russo
4-Day Workshop 9:30 am-4:30 pm
Please note this workshop is being moved to Sept. 2021
This 4 day workshop will focus on still life painting fundamentals. The students will first make a fairly simple line drawing of their set up, and when finished will transfer the drawing onto a pre-primed panel. Over the course of the next several days the painting will be developed in a multi-step process which will give the objects a strong sense of form, color and depth. The instructor will offer daily demonstrations to help reinforce the technique and will offer plenty of individual help and critique to the students.
Deposit / Cancellation Policy
Deposits are required for all classes and workshops in the amount of half the tuition to secure limited spots. Full payment is due two weeks before the start of the session. All cancellations must be made 2 weeks before the start of a class or workshop. We are not responsible for issuing refunds, credits or transfers for classes/workshops missed due to illness, emergencies or events beyond our control. If a workshop is cancelled by us, you will receive a refund.
All requested refunds (within 2 weeks of the start of the class or workshop) from online payments will be returned via check. A 5% refund fee will be subtracted from the amount paid through online payments.