Work independently in the drawing medium of your choice! This monitored studio is designed to give students the opportunity to work from live nude models without instruction, allowing you time to explore and experiment. Just as any life drawing session the poses will range from short gestures gradually building to longer poses at the end. This is an extraordinary opportunity for you to develop and extend your drawing skills. No class 1/19, 2/16.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Leslie Bowen, Monitor
Cost: $390
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This four-week beginner-friendly watercolor course introduces you to the essential materials, techniques, and principles that bring watercolor painting to life. You’ll learn about pigments, papers, brushes, color temperature, value, brush control, and the all-important water-to-pigment ratio through clear demonstrations and guided practice. Each week, you’ll work hands-on with core techniques—wet on dry, wet on wet, various washes, dry brush, soft and hard edges, and mergers—while receiving individualized support to build your confidence. By the end of the series, you'll have a strong foundation and the skills to continue your watercolor journey with joy.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Peggy Kirkwood
Cost: $200
Sponsor: The New Studio for the Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

This course will provide hands-on experience using traditional dry media, such as graphite, colored pencils, chalk, and pastel, through water-soluble materials, such as watercolor, gouache and ink. There will be ample presentation, lecture, and demonstration of the wet/dry media techniques. Students will be guided in working from personal sketches, paintings, photography, and from recognized artworks as well as from observation. Students will be expected to provide basic materials that they already have and most paper. To ensure that all students can experience the various processes, the instructor will provide any materials that individual students do not have. Issues of form, spatial concepts, color, visual and critical thinking will be addressed through individual and group critiques.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jill A. Rupinski
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Master the Yeliseyev Method - Join Vlad for a 3-day workshop designed to sharpen your skills and spark your creativity. Using carefully selected photographs provided by Vlad, you’ll learn how to simplify complex scenes, identify focal areas, and bring your paintings to life with expressive light, color, and atmosphere. With the Yeliseyev Method, Vlad breaks watercolor painting into clear, achievable steps. You’ll explore: How to establish strong compositions and focal points; Techniques for mixing colors and balancing values; Confident, bold brushwork that gives your paintings energy; The finishing touches that unify and elevate your work. Entrance to the gardens and lunch included. Members receive discount.
 
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $680
Sponsor: Mounts Botanical Garden
Website, email, (561) 233.1775

A comprehensive examination of the history, theories, and practices of color in painting. This hands-on course focuses on the practical understanding and application of how to use color. Included are an overview of color history in painting and how it has evolved to the present, a survey of the major theories and their practical applications in art making, a hands-on study of the most useful color charts, gradations and mixing, studio exercises implementing the use of color aesthetics and practices in artmaking and visits to the PAFA museum to study and analyze color in masterworks. Projects include color in figures, portraits, landscapes, self-portraits, glazing, color expression and color in abstraction. Open to all media and levels of experience.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Al Gury
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

This four-week watercolor series is ideal for students who have completed Beginning Watercolor and want to strengthen their artistic foundation. In a supportive, encouraging setting, you'll continue refining your skills while gaining a deeper understanding of color, technique, and creative expression. You’ll explore Color Theory through hands-on practice—mixing a wide range of hues, learning how colors interact, and using the Color Wheel to create harmony and depth. The course also builds confidence with essential watercolor techniques such as layering, glazing, and textural effects. Whether your goal is to paint more confidently or simply enjoy the process, this class will help you grow with guidance and creativity.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Peggy Kirkwood
Cost: $200
Sponsor: The New Studio for the Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

Instead of getting caught up in tiny details, we focus on making big, bold strokes with large, juicy brushes. By loading our brushes with a generous amount of water and pigment, we can let the colors mingle and flow across the paper in exciting and unpredictable ways. It’s a messy, joyful experience that helps students overcome the fear of a blank page and discover the unique magic of watercolor as a medium. This approach encourages a playful mindset and results in vibrant, expressive paintings that are full of life and movement.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Paulette Staley
Cost: $240
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Students will learn the structure of the portrait, the history of historic and contemporary portraiture, methods and materials of portraiture, and will be encouraged to develop a personal point of view in portrait painting. Issues of form, spatial concepts, color, andvisual and critical thinking will be addressed. Individual and group critiques will be conducted.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Douglas Martenson
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

In this class Chris will have 2 paintings prepared (floral & island landscape) to demonstrate the basics and more advanced techniques of painting with watercolors. 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. Students taking this course should bring $20 cash to pay for materials, all of which will be provided for you.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Chris Dreyer
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This class focuses on understanding the many expressive ways of starting and finishing a painting in wet paint. Students will learn the excitement of starting with washes of bright transparent colors and building towards opaque color passages. Throughout the course, we will address several fundamental challenges that painters commonly encounter. These include exploration of composition, focusing on how shapes are arranged within the painting and the various ways in which you can manipulate them to enhance your artwork. We will also examine the importance of value, specifically the relationship between light and dark areas, and discuss strategies for linking these values effectively. Additionally, the course will delve into essential color concepts, providing a foundation for making informed color choices in your paintings.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Fred Jackson
Cost: $480
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This class with instruction by Alice Meyer Wallace will focus on classic watercolor techniques from master artists such as Sargeant, Homer, Rodin, Nolde, and particularly Charles Demuth, from Lancaster, PA. Come enjoy this fun and relaxed class! The class will work predominantly from still life but on occasion, the instructor will lead the class in painting from the model (2 times) and there will be an option of experimenting with watercolor and collage.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Alice Meyer-Wallace
Cost: $530
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Whether it is portrait, still life, landscape or abstracts, the presence of light against shadow gives the subject form and dimension. Bring your own inspiration to class and with this principle in mind, watch your paintings come to life! Composition and color mixing will be a focus in this class. All mediums and skill levels are welcome!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Stefanie Lieberman
Cost: $575
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Working from your own reference material, we will spend each week focusing on a particular aspect of landscape painting. Individual techniques will be taught each session in a supportive atmosphere. Syllabus will be provided. Please bring painting materials to the first class. All mediums welcomed.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Bonnie Mettler
Cost: $570
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Using your own inspiration e.g., photos, tablets, still life objects etc., you will learn different techniques to give your paintings life and energy. Composition, value, color mixing and technique will be the main focuses of this class. All mediums and skill levels are welcome!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Stefanie Lieberman
Cost: $575
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This class with instruction by Alice Meyer Wallace will focus on classic watercolor techniques, including those used by master artists such as Sargeant, Homer, Rodin, Nolde, and particularly Charles Demuth, from Lancaster, PA. Come enjoy this fun and relaxed class! The class will work predominantly from still life but on occasion, the instructor will lead the class in painting from the model (2 times) and there will be an option of experimenting with watercolor and collage.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Alice Meyer-Wallace
Cost: $400
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Watercolor is a versatile medium, which can be both transparent and opaque. Using a variety of subject matter, some techniques explored will be drawing for watercolor, painting without drawing, wet-in-wet watercolor, glazing with watercolor washes, the use of gouache and other aqueous media with watercolor. The instructor will start each class with a demonstration or an explanation of the technique for the day. Students will be encouraged to work in their own personal style. Each class will end with a group critique with the emphasis on constructive criticism.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Wendy Scheirer
Cost: $200
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Workshop participants will begin by learning to handle watercolor materials: papers, paints, brushes, palettes, and more. From the bold application of washes to fine detail, we’ll explore specifics: how to begin a watercolor and how to conclude a work, wet-in-wet to dry-brush, what to put in and what to leave out. The skillful use of the elements of composition and the simplification of form will provide a means to achieving dynamic results. We’ll also explore ways of creating a sense of light and mood in a watercolor, through the use of structured tone. Class members will be encouraged to work from still-life, and photos to start. Further development in the watercolor medium will be determined by each participant's interest.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Ernie Norcia
Cost: $240
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

I welcome you to join me on this watercolor adventure as we explore the loose and juicy nature of watercolor. Lots of water and lots of pigment will be our objective as we paint a variety of subjects including, but not limited to, landscapes, marine scenes and even flowers using the intrinsic and magical qualities of the watercolor medium.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Mick McAndrews
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This class is for those who would like to work in art but do not know where to start and/or with what mediums! We will start with pencils, charcoal and work our way through watercolor, acrylic, pastels and oil and any other mediums that students may be interested in. Barb will explain the pros and cons of each of the mediums including prices points and other materials you'll need for that medium, including, brushes, surfaces and framing. At the end of the session, students will have time to try them all on a small scale. In addition to the registration fee, students should bring $20 cash to pay the instructor for materials, all of which she will provide to you.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Barb Snow
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Unleash your creativity in a fun, relaxed studio setting where you can paint your way! Choose your favorite medium—oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, or colored pencil—and dive into new projects or bring along unfinished pieces to refine. Enjoy as much one-on-one guidance from Dennis as you like, plus technique tips and helpful critiques to elevate your work. Whether your style leans toward realism, impressionism, or bold modern expression, this open painting session is your space to explore, create, and grow.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dennis Lake
Cost: $150 or $50 per week
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Enrich your knowledge of painting with an in-depth look at watercolor. Thoroughly investigate a wide range of watercolor materials and techniques from your choice of landscape, still life, portrait, and figure subjects. The course is designed to equip each participant with the knowledge and skills necessary to make accomplished, personally rewarding watercolor paintings. Open to watercolorists of all levels and to acrylic/oil painters looking to broaden their skills.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: James Toogood
Cost: $675
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Enrich your knowledge of painting with an in-depth look at watercolor. Thoroughly investigate a wide range of watercolor materials and techniques from your choice of landscape, still life, portrait, and figure subjects. The course is designed to equip each participant with the knowledge and skills necessary to make accomplished, personally rewarding watercolor paintings. Open to watercolorists of all levels and to acrylic/oil painters looking to broaden their skills.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: James Toogood
Cost: $675
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

If you’ve always wanted to paint with watercolors but were afraid to try, this very beginning class will introduce you to the joys of creating beautiful, glowing watercolor paintings. Using the elements and principles of design and composition, you’ll learn the following techniques: color mixing, wet-on-wet wash, wet-on-dry techniques, glazing, color charging, tricks with salt, oozles, scaping and much more. This class is designed for those with no watercolor experience, or those who have tried watercolor painting but need a refresher. There will be a printed handout with each class. Subjects include Landscapes and Still Life.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Nancy Carney
Cost: $300
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Unlock the magic of color in this inspiring half-day class with artist Alex Sharma—perfect for both beginners and experienced painters! Discover how just three essential colors—reds, blues, and yellows—can open up a world of endless possibilities, transforming the way you see and mix color. Learn to create luminous, vibrant paintings filled with depth, distance, and energy as Alex shares surprising color combinations that make your work come alive. Whether you paint in watercolor, acrylic, or oil, this class will refresh your palette, sharpen your skills, and reignite your passion for painting. This class requires zero experience. It is perfect for beginners, or for students with experience wanting a brush-up or refresher of color theory!
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Alex Sharma
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This workshop focuses on discovering your unique abstract voice. Through a series of small paintings created on the first day, you'll begin to recognize the development of your authentic expression and how it distinguishes you from other artists. These initial works may also reveal insights into how adjusting your approach to using visual language can more powerfully express your abstract voice. The second day features group discussion exploring how artistic inspiration shapes color and composition differently for each artist, followed by individual consultations on integrating the workshop's insights into your personal practice. For artists with some painting experience and artists with a lot of painting experience.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Marianne Mitchell
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Unleash your creativity in a fun, relaxed studio setting where you can paint your way! Choose your favorite medium—oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, or colored pencil—and dive into new projects or bring along unfinished pieces to refine. Enjoy as much one-on-one guidance from Dennis as you like, plus technique tips and helpful critiques to elevate your work. Whether your style leans toward realism, impressionism, or bold modern expression, this open painting session is your space to explore, create, and grow.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dennis Lake
Cost: $200 or $50 per week
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

In this class Chris will have 2 paintings prepared (floral & island landscape) to demonstrate the basics and more advanced techniques of painting with watercolors. 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. Students taking this course should bring $20 cash to pay for materials, all of which will be provided for you.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Chris Dreyer
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Take a chance! This workshop is all about getting in touch with your creative side. More than any other art medium, watercolor compels you to experiment and discover surprises that will make you fall in love with the process. It comes close to those early experiences of working with clay or finger painting, before we had preconceived ideas of what art “should look like”. You’ll get “your feet wet” by using one of my watercolor templates to paint from. Using simple shapes and color schemes will have you feeling like a pro in no time. In three sessions, you’ll have a finished painting to take home and show off. I guarantee lots of laughs, encouraging tips and a wonderful sense of accomplishment!
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Peggy Ellis
Cost: $500
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

I invite you to join me as we explore the excitement and drama of interior scenes in watercolor. We will maximize the use of light against dark as we paint interior scenes including barns, boathouses and bars! You don’t want to miss out on this adventure!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Mick McAndrews
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

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.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Chris Dreyer
Cost: $200
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

In this one-day workshop, you'll learn how to use color for emotional impact and scenic clarity in your landscape paintings. We will discuss how color is used to create depth, atmosphere, and mood in a painting and how the color of the sky disperses itself throughout a landscape, unifying and harmonizing everything you see. Students will work from photographs in the studio, and together we will do small painting exercises using a limited set of colors. This simplified approach is a great way to learn how to mix and use color effectively and will help you create subtle and sophisticated color worlds. Suitable for anyone excited about slowing down and mixing intentional colors. 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

Interested in learning or improving your watercolor skills? All materials and techniques will be discussed, including the selection of papers, brushes, and pigments, as well as transparent and opaque painting methods. Students will work from still-life subjects and/or their own source material. All levels welcome.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: James Toogood
Cost: $225
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Watercolor is a versatile medium, which can be both transparent and opaque. Using a variety of subject matter, some techniques explored will be drawing for watercolor, painting without drawing, wet-in-wet watercolor, glazing with watercolor washes, the use of gouache and other aqueous media with watercolor. The instructor will start each class with a demonstration or an explanation of the technique for the day. Students will be encouraged to work in their own personal style. Each class will end with a group critique with the emphasis on constructive criticism.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Wendy Scheirer
Cost: $200
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Unleash your creativity in a fun, relaxed studio setting where you can paint your way! Choose your favorite medium—oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, or colored pencil—and dive into new projects or bring along unfinished pieces to refine. Enjoy as much one-on-one guidance from Dennis as you like, plus technique tips and helpful critiques to elevate your work. Whether your style leans toward realism, impressionism, or bold modern expression, this open painting session is your space to explore, create, and grow.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dennis Lake
Cost: $250 or $50 per week
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This class will focus on the fundamentals of painting with watercolors. This class will include step-by-step instruction with demonstrations and practice. Attention and focus on individual growth at the students’ own pace will be central in this class. Learn to paint watercolors in a free, fun and fluent manner. Discover and nurture your own personal style of expression. All levels welcome.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Indira Cariappa
Cost: $200
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This class is for students who want to deepen their understanding of watercolors and move beyond the basics. We learn advanced techniques in a progressive, step by step manner. This class is very interactive with demos and practice. The students progress at their own pace. Everyone is encouraged to discover and develop their own style. This is a fun filled class, with one-on-one attention to every student. Please bring your watercolor paper, colors, brushes and palette that you already have.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Indira Cariappa
Cost: $200
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Explore the painting techniques of the masters who pioneered the 19th and 20th century American watercolor movement, including Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Edward Hopper, and Charles Demuth. Characterized by bright color and bold handling that includes accents of opaque watercolor and loose washes, work in this tradition captures subject matter with dazzling light-filled effects. Practice these classic methods and learn to incorporate them into your own artwork to achieve a greater freedom of expression as well as adaptability and control in the way that you paint. Demonstrations and art historical discussions will be combined with short and more extensive still life and self-portrait exercises. This course is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Richard Estell
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Students will strengthen core watercolor skills while learning how to paint atmospheric landscapes, convincing reflections in water, and lively streetscapes. Each week builds on the last, introducing new techniques, composition strategies, and subject challenges. Lets have fun painting in a loose, impressionistic manner by learning how to simplify and edit scenes to come up with convincing paintings using your own photographs. Hands on step-by-step guidance and instruction will be provided.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Radhika Srinivas
Cost: $240
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Join Minnesota-based artist Julie Schroeder for a relaxed, hands-on workshop exploring watercolor in fresh and expressive ways. You’ll create spontaneous, colorful landscapes using mono printing techniques and experiment with watercolor pencils to add depth and texture. Julie will demonstrate a range of approaches while encouraging you to work at your own pace and follow your artistic instincts. You’ll have the option to finish your pieces with pen and ink for added definition and contrast. Choose to focus on traditional watercolor or combine materials for a mixed-media effect. This class offers a supportive environment to explore, experiment, and enjoy the creative process. $30 cash supply fee. Students are still responsible for bringing a few items (see website).
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Julie Schroeder
Cost: $230
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Absolutely no drawing experience necessary in David Lobenberg’s California Vibe Watercolor Portraiture™ workshop. He uses a reference photo and tracing technique that’s super simple to execute. The creativity and painting fun begins during the painting process! Through his step-by-step demonstrations and question-and-answer sessions, he leads artists down a path of expressive, energetic and evocative portrait painting. Lobenberg has over forty years of experience conducting both studio and plein air water media workshops across the United State, Canada as well as via zoom and his online California Vibe School of Watercolor™. David received his Master’s-in-Art degree from UCLA and has taught for seventeen years (now retired) as an adjunct art professor at Sacramento City College. For more information, visit lobenbergart.com
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: David Lobenberg
Cost: $575 Museum members/ $625 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372

Embody the spirit of spring with fresh and immediate painting! Learn to capture the essence of a living, botanical subject quickly and spontaneously in pencil and watercolor. This alla prima method can be used for preparatory studies for sustained paintings, compiling a field sketchbook, or as an end in itself. All levels welcome. Tuition includes a $10 materials fee to cover floral subjects.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Linda Gist
Cost: $205
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Embrace the vibrant renewal of spring by creating a field sketchbook dedicated to the season’s first growth. This hands-on workshop invites participants to capture the earliest indicators of a new botanical cycle—delicate ferns, fleeting spring ephemerals, sprouting bulbs and flowers, and the swelling buds of trees—through lively exercises in pencil, ink, and watercolor. Learn to observe subtle changes in the landscape as expert instruction guides you through techniques for recording form, color, and texture in real time. Perfect for both budding and experienced artists, this class will nurture observational skills and creativity while deepening your connection to nature’s awakening. Leave with a good start to a beautifully illustrated sketchbook filled with your own studies of spring’s earliest wonders.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Margaret Saylor
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Mastering your watercolor skills with Yeliseyev Method. Join Vlad this spring for a special 3-day workshop in beautiful Sarasota, Florida. This workshop offers more than just painting outdoors—it’s an immersive introduction to the Yeliseyev Method, a proven approach to watercolor painting that has inspired students around the world. What makes this workshop special: Learn Vlad’s unique system that simplifies watercolor painting into clear steps, focusing on composition, value, and expressive color use; Step-by-Step Instruction – From selecting the best location and “point of view” to quick value sketching, Vlad will guide you through every stage; Personalized Feedback – Receive one-on-one instruction at the easel as you work on your own paintings.
 
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $625
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865

Unity ties a painting together—think matching colors, similar brushstrokes, and overall vibe. Rhythm keeps things lively by guiding your eye with repeated shapes, lines, and energetic brushstrokes and marks. When both qualities interact, something remarkable happens: the painting becomes a seamless blend of order and vitality and true beauty emerges. This workshop is all about Unity and Rhythm, and we'll keep things hands-on with some basic techniques you can actually use. Students are encouraged to paint what they love. You can bring objects from home to build your own still life arrangements or bring photo references you like. I will provide a still life arrangement. All skill levels welcome. Work in oil, acrylic, or gouache.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Fred Jackson
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

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

Clouds and trees are common and important features in landscape paintings, their masses frequently encompassing significant portions of the composition. But how does the artist imbue these elements with texture, individuality, and detail without making them appear contrived or overfussed? Examine types of cloud masses and how they may best be translated through additive and reductive methods. Explore means of mimicking organic tree forms through brush movement and how to use color and detail to suggest distance. Instruction includes painting demonstrations as well as a review of how master artists have represented these features in historic and contemporary works. Open to all levels. Demonstrations will be conducted in watercolor, but this class presents valuable information for painters of all media.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: James Toogood
Cost: $225
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Capture the small-town beauty Manayunk's hilly streets, rowhomes, and storefronts. Learn to create a convincing sense of space, light and time of day while depicting streetscapes, trees, water and sky. Color mixing and painting techniques for oils will be demonstrated, but all drawing/painting media are welcome. Located just 15 minutes outside of Philadelphia, Manayunk offers engaging urban and riverside neighborhood subjects with parking, shade, provisions and facilities available. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Larry Francis
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Unleash your creativity in a fun, relaxed studio setting where you can paint your way! Choose your favorite medium—oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, or colored pencil—and dive into new projects or bring along unfinished pieces to refine. Enjoy as much one-on-one guidance from Dennis as you like, plus technique tips and helpful critiques to elevate your work. Whether your style leans toward realism, impressionism, or bold modern expression, this open painting session is your space to explore, create, and grow.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dennis Lake
Cost: $100 or $50 per week
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Water-based paints such as watercolor, gouache, and fluid acrylics are the perfect mediums for landscape painting in the open air! Work in your choice of these portable, fast-drying, and easy-to-clean-up alternatives to oils as you portray the beauty of spring in Philadelphia’s parks in your own personal style. Learn how to choose a composition and mix color for depth and expressive effects as you complete a series of rapid sketches and at least one sustained painting. Explore techniques for achieving transparency effects with stained gesso, working fat over lean, and rendering with ink over washes. Open to all levels. Painting locations feature shade, restrooms, and other amenities. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michelle Oosterbaan
Cost: $260
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Join us for an unforgettable watercolor experience in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where creativity meets culture. This workshop blends in-depth studio instruction with immersive exploration of one of America’s most iconic art towns. In this workshop, Carrie will share her signature techniques, including: Creating luminous layers with transparent watercolor; Mastering reflections, glass, and dramatic lighting; Building strong compositions with everyday objects; and Developing a narrative in still life through thoughtful design and color. Each day, you’ll work with Carrie in the studio to deepen your skills and bring a personal painting to life with hands-on guidance and feedback. The city is full of art galleries, restaurants, shops and museums. We will visit the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum together.
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Carrie Waller
Cost: $1,690
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-584-6919

Join veteran plein air artist Joe Sweeney for a unique opportunity to paint inside one of the oldest rowing clubs in Philadelphia: the Bachelors Barge Club on Boathouse Row. Work from picturesque views of the Schuylkill River with the benefit of full access to the historic building with access to the dock, rain-/sun-sheltered porch, and amenities including restrooms. Experienced guidance will cover tactics for working efficiently outdoors, selecting a composition, color mixing, and capturing time of day and atmospheric effects. Instruction and demonstrations will be geared toward acrylic, oil, and pastel painting, but experienced watercolorists are welcome to participate. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Joseph Sweeney
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

David goes beyond the basics and shows students how to construct strong, vibrant, personality-filled watercolor paintings. You will learn: how to find the essence of your subject matter; how to construct compelling compositions; to see shapes, not objects; how to create a color strategy; how to use frisket to achieve batik-like effects; the importance of value patterns in your work; and how to paint loosely while staying true to your subject matter. Daily one-on-one critiques and demos will be vital to helping you find your watercolor voice. We will paint in the studio each morning. You will have the choice every afternoon of a walking tour in Santa Fe with the tour leader or uninstructed painting time in the studio.
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: David Daniels
Cost: $1,690
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-584-6919

Learn to paint Loose Watercolor Florals, Landscapes, Figures and Portraits from internationally known artist, Janet Rogers, AWS. Workshop located at the historical La Fonda Hotel on the Santa Fe Plaza, close to restaurants, shopping and many hotels. Janet Rogers has been a working professional artist for over 34 years, and has achieved Signature Status in The American Watercolor Society, The Florida Watercolor Society, South Carolina Watercolor Society and others. She has garnered many awards over the years for her sensitive paintings of people which are spontaneous, direct, and expressive. Her workshops featuring impressions of people and also flowers are very popular across the United States, Canada, and in Europe. You can view her work at www.watercolorsbyrogers.com
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Janet Rogers, AWS, Instructor –
Cost: $600.00
Sponsor: Miriam Joseph
Website, email, 505-263-9137

Three Days of Coastal Light, Rhythm, and Atmosphere. This intimate plein air atelier in Santa Barbara is designed for a small group of painters seeking a refined, focused, and elevated experience. Set within one of California’s most luminous coastal environments, the workshop offers carefully selected painting locations that balance natural beauty with architectural elegance. Over three days, participants work in a sequence of visually rich environments—coastal, maritime, and town-inspired—each chosen for its compositional potential and atmospheric nuance. Rather than chasing landmarks, the emphasis is on seeing: light, structure, rhythm, and the quiet poetry of place. Instruction is personal, deliberate, and deeply engaged. Demonstrations and one-on-one guidance focus on the essentials that distinguish accomplished plein air work.
 
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $675
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865

Exploring abstracts on a larger scale in the medium of your choosing, this 5-day class will push you into new territory where growth lives… only upsized, because bigger risks equal bigger rewards. You will be shown a system for developing your artistic voice, with a focus on design principles and the language of abstraction. The emphasis is on creative process, exploring new ways to develop and build paintings, create inventive compositions, and build authentic intent in your work. The class is as much a challenge for the experienced as it is for the developing artist, but it’s not for the rank beginner. Bring a sense of humor, a fearless creative spirit, and an open mind.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Larry Moore
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

The workshop sessions begin as Couch completes a painting, explaining what he is doing, and why, as he paints. Students paint in the afternoons, after which Couch critiques all the day’s completed work, including his own. An optional slide show/lecture on the principles of design – including color and composition – will be presented in the afternoon of the first day. For more information, visit tonycouch.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Tony Couch
Cost: $575 Museum members/ $625 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372