Art Workshops, Classes & Retreats

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"Painting with a Palette Knife"
April 6-7, 2024
 

This two-day workshop will focus on the use of the palette knife, the freedom it affords and the emphasis of color in your paintings. While the palette knife can be used to enhance brush paintings, it is a perfect tool for impressionistic as well as abstracted images rich in color. We will work from the still life as well as from landscape photos. I will show how the palette knife can add its own vibrancy to the image. Materials: Oil or acrylic paints.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Cynthia Rosen
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"City Landscape Drawing and Painting"
Sundays, April 7 - May 12, 2024
 

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


"The Landscape Oil Sketch"
Tuesdays, April 9 - May 14, 2024
 

The oil sketch is a traditional way for painters to execute preparatory ideas and quickly capture initial impressions – perfect for plein air painting! Learn useful techniques for rapidly encapsulating color and form while working directly from observation. Locations with shade and restrooms include Bartram’s Garden along the Schuylkill River and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, near Philadelphia International Airport. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Roger Chavez
Cost: $375
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Plein Air Painting in Valley Forge"
Thursdays, April 11 - May 16, 2024
 

Enjoy open-air painting in beautiful Valley Forge National Historical Park, home to a painter’s delight of lush scenery and historic architecture! Located in Montgomery County, 35 minutes northwest of Center City Philadelphia, the park features great views of the Schuylkill River, Valley Creek, the Valley Forge Farm, Mt. Joy, Mt. Misery, and many valleys, cabins, and colonial houses, with ample parking and access to restrooms. Working from diverse landscape subject matter, students will learn essential plein air approaches, including color mixing to achieve a sense of light and air, capturing time of day, compositional fundamentals, and sound drawing and painting practices. Instruction is geared toward oil/acrylic painting and pastel drawing/painting. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Joseph Sweeney
Cost: $450
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Abstraction: Figure as Source"
April 12-14, 2024
 

In this 3-day workshop we will explore the figure and the process of abstraction. During the morning sessions we will work directly from the figure, with an emphasis on proportion, physical structure, tonality, and gesture, in both drawing and painting. In the afternoons we will take our morning session works and use them as source material for an abstract painting of medium size, exploring experimentation, paint-handling, accident, composition, color, marking, and play! Improvisation and uncertainty! Always a blast.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jordon Wolfson
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Spontaneous Figure Painting"
April 13-14, 2024
 

Tired of getting lost in the details of traditional figure painting? Take a break from representational model-based painting and learn to incorporate the human form as an abstracted or hinted element in your work, toward suggesting ideas, conveying emotions, or emphasizing its formal qualities. Learn expressive painting techniques to render the figure in a looser and more contemporary manner, creating a lively surface while boosting your creativity, technique and skill. Content includes examples and discussion of notable artworks, critique, and one-on-one instruction. Painting experience recommended. Note: This workshop does not feature in-class models.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Kassem Amoudi
Cost: $225
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Aqueous Media, Pastel & Oil Painting"
Mondays, April 15 - May 20, 2024
 

Working from still life set-ups, learn the various techniques of aqueous media used for creating light, structure, texture, transparency and opacity. While the focus of the class is water-based acrylics, students are welcome to work in pastels or oil if they prefer. Instructor demonstrations and group discussion, as well as individual attention, provided during each class session.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Joeseph Sweeney
Cost: $280
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Art of the Portrait with Ernie Norcia"
Mondays, April 15 - May 20, 2024
 

This course will focus on issues of, composition, color, texture, measure, likeness, proportion, with special attention given to technical painting issues, like, how to translate skin’s complex surface characteristics in paint. Demonstrations of a layered painting technique to bring out the full depth and richness of color in our portraits will be presented and discussed. The class will include demonstrations, discussions of masterworks, both traditional and contemporary, and thoughtful feedback on work. The drawing course will be a valuable resource for participants of any age and skill level. This course is open to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced, encouraging all participants to deepen their knowledge of portraiture through the process of painting.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Ernie Norcia
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Introduction to Painting in Oils"
Mondays, April 15 - May 20, 2024
 

Students learn basic techniques and mechanics of oil painting to help guide them from inspiration to expression. Working from still-life set-ups, students build paintings as they consider the relationship of objects within a composition, as well as the overall picture including color, hue, and intensity.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Doyle
Cost: $280
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Still Life and Floral Painting"
Mondays, April 15 - May 20, 2024
 

Students will explore building paintings with luminous color, starting with transparent paint and building toward an opaque application. This direct painting technique lends itself well to floral subject matter. However, students are encouraged to bring objects from home to build still-life compositions that inspire them based on color or subject matter. The instructor will provide floral items for students to work with and examples of finished direct painting methods. In class, demonstrations will detail how to control and manipulate paint while achieving the loose, relaxed outcome of an Alla Prima approach. For Intermediate to Advanced students, an expanded color palette is encouraged for more advanced painters.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Sharon Henderson
Cost: $280
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Vibrant Color"
Mondays, April 15 - May 20, 2024
 

Using an expanded palette of oil paint, emphasis will be on capturing the immediate impact of light on simple, basic shapes in order to better understand color relationships. Students will explore simple relationships of color using still life objects using the vocabulary of color theory. Once the ability to calibrate fundamental overall color relationships is developed, larger relationships will be broken down into smaller ones. Experimentation with paint and loose, energetic paint handling is encouraged! Level: Intermediate to Advanced, an expanded color palette is required.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Sharon Henderson
Cost: $280
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Painting Over the Line"
Mondays, April 15 - June 3, 2024
 

Take your work to the next level under the mentoring guidance of artist/critic Kassem Amoudi. In this live focused open studio environment, all levels of students will discover how to enhance their own visual language and interests exploring new ways of painting. Expert instruction and advice from the instructor will push students to explore new possibilities and work more intuitively, allowing unplanned marks and passages to become artistic breakthroughs. Examples from contemporary and modern art will be examined to promote a broader understanding of the abstract qualities of space, line and color. Advance beyond confined lines and hard edges to a more liberated way of painting. It does not matter What you paint. It is How you paint it.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Kassem Amoudi
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Fundamentals of Oils"
Wednesdays, April 17 - May 29, 2024
 

Students explore all aspects of working with oils, with a strong emphasis on composition, color mixing and various painting techniques. Individual instruction provided in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Ideal for beginners as well as more experienced artists.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Stefanie Lieberman
Cost: $325
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Working With The Landscape"
Wednesdays, April 17 - May 29, 2024
 

In this class, we will explore how the landscape can be interpreted to convey mood and atmosphere through the use of color, line, edge, and composition. We will look at landscape work from other artists, and discuss the various options in assessing the landscape while choosing what to include. We will execute preliminary drawing and color studies, and at least one final work.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Nicole Michaud
Cost: $325
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Photo to Canvas"
Thursdays, April 18 - May 30, 2024
 

Working in oil or pastel from photographic reference, this class is about translating the photographic image onto either canvas or paper. Focusing on color, value and mark making as essential tools, students are encouraged to move a step beyond the restraints of a camera to create a successful and personal work. Discussion will include working with painting mediums and exploring different techniques in oil and pastel. Additionally, there will be a still life set up for those who prefer.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Anne Graham
Cost: $325
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Oil Painting: Developing Your Personal Aesthetic"
Thursdays, April 18 - June 6, 2024
 

The focus of this class is the investigation and development of your own style or aesthetic. Color sense, paint handling and pushing compositional boundaries will be emphasized. Subject matter at student's discretion. Still life will be available. For intermediate & advanced students. Please bring your usual painting materials to class.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Karen Fogarty
Cost: $370
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Oil Painting: Starting Up & Moving Along"
Thursdays, April 18 - June 6, 2024
 

Acquaint or re-acquaint yourself with the pleasure of oil painting. Learn about the materials and techniques that form the basis of the medium. Students will use still life, simple and complex, as subject matter. All levels are welcome.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Karen Fogarty
Cost: $370
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Painting with a Purpose"
Thursdays, April 18 - June 6, 2024
 

This course is designed to create paintings that we will build from a loose, underpainting and refine as we go along. This class is ideal for those painters who want to break out of the habit of focusing in on details and let the paint create a more expressive piece. Attention will be paid to composition, color mixing, paint application and technique. All skill levels welcome in a fun and relaxing atmosphere!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Stefanie Lieberman
Cost: $370
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Creating Dynamic Paintings from Photos"
April 20-21, 2024
 

Successfully producing expressive, painterly paintings from photographs requires a knowledge of both the advantages and potential pitfalls of photographic sources. While providing useful visual information, photos often mislead - distorting subjects and flattening the picture plane. In this workshop students will use photographs as a point of departure, a reference point from which information will selectively and intelligently be drawn. Developing an enhanced visual awareness of compositional design, the importance of shapes, color harmony and paint application is critically important. This workshop will help students learn to “see” as painters. They will be challenged to take chances, be bold, expressive and spontaneous. Group and individual critiques will be given. The workshop will be challenging, the environment supportive, fun and positive.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Georganna Lenssen
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Figure Within an Interior Environment"
Tuesdays, April 23 - May 28, 2024
 

Led by master artist Michael Doyle, students consider the composition of a figure within an interior setting. Students may elect to draw or paint, using a variety of materials.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Doyle
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Introduction to the Figure"
Tuesdays, April 23 - May 28, 2024
 

Working from both cast studies and life models, this class emphasizes the rhythm, form, and structure of the human figure. Some attention is given to introductory anatomy. Students may elect to draw or paint, using a variety of mediums. Open to all levels, from beginner to experienced.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Doyle
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Light & Shadow"
Tuesdays, April 23 - May 28, 2024
 

Light & Shadow - Bring your paintings to life! 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: $280
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Advanced Drawing & Painting"
Tuesdays, April 23 - June 4, 2024
 

Designed for artists ready to challenge themselves and take their work to the next level, this class is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of the artist's own creative process and sensibility. A variety of subject matter will be explored. Level: Previous drawing and painting experience is recommended.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Karen Fogarty
Cost: $325
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Oil Painting: Starting Up & Moving Along"
Tuesdays, April 23 - June 4, 2024
 

Acquaint or re-acquaint yourself with the pleasure of oil painting. Learn about the materials and techniques that form the basis of the medium. Students will use still life, simple and complex, as subject matter. All levels are welcome.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Karen Fogarty
Cost: $325
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Landscape Painting in Studio: All Mediums"
Wednesdays, April 24 - June 5, 2024
 

Working from your own reference material, we will spend each week focusing on a particular aspect of landscape painting. Individual techniques will be held 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: $325
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Still Life in the Interior"
April 26-28, 2024
 

This workshop will focus on the problem of combining the genres of still-life and interior painting into a single picture. We will start by addressing the problem of finding a subject and the practical and formal problems of setting up a still life. We will discuss how to organize and simplify complex information, how to have a unified sense of light throughout the picture and how to perceive color and tone relationships. We will also cover aspects of drawing that will help in the creation of a convincing sense of space. Students are welcome to bring their own objects or work with objects on hand at the center.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Peter Van Dyck
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"A Traditional Approach to Painting & Drawing"
Wednesdays, May 1 - June 12, 2024
 

Using simple everyday objects in thoughtful well-lit compositions, students create fresh and dynamic paintings. Through instruction, demos, and examining the work of master and contemporary painters, students begin with a direct painting approach and proceed in clear stages. The course covers the key ingredients of great painting, including composition, paint handling, edges, value and color relationships, and modeling form. Students will develop a solid and dependable approach to painting, providing a strong foundation to build upon. Level: Appropriate for beginner and intermediate painters. The returning student is free to work on independent projects whether still life, landscape, or the figure.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Sasha Diehl
Cost: $270
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Abstracted Landscapes"
May 11, 2024
 

Unleash a new level in your painting! Choose a photograph of your own and explore methods and techniques for abstracting a scene from a small value or color study to a larger contemporary piece. A short demo, art examples and individual instruction will be provided throughout the day. Students may work in oil or acrylic. Please bring several photos to choose from and include one small (6 x 6 to 8 x 10) and one large (16 x 20 to 24 x 36) substrate with your supplies.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Abby Ober
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Aesthetic Design Tools for Landscape Painting"
May 13-15, 2024
 

Jill Carver will discuss how unity and variety are paramount to create overall harmony in a painting, exploring design tools relating to the core components of shape, value and color. Not only will she be explaining how to manage each of these elements but also how to explore the visual ‘what-if’s’, experiment, and identify ways to produce personal, poetic, intentional paintings. Jill embraces the notion that creativity - and fun - are rooted in the design choices we make. She will also explain how the choice of design/compositional tools should be dictated by the subject matter and what an individual artist wishes to say about it. Jill will structure the workshop through set exercises, slide-shows, lectures, demos and brainstorming discussions.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jill Carver
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Painting Spring Blooms"
Wednesdays, May 15 - June 19, 2024
 

This 6-week class will focus on painting simple spring blooms. Please bring your favorite spring flowers and a small simple vase. We will work from life and from photos to capture the essence of these floral forms. The approach will vary between direct quick studies and longer layered paintings. Level: intermediate to advanced. Medium: all mediums welcome, instructor works in oils. Supply list: bring your preferred brushes and paints, fresh flower(s) and a small vase.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Claudia Rilling
Cost: $300
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Plein Air Painting - Color and Light"
Wednesdays, May 15 - June 19, 2024
 

Enjoy a laid-back atmosphere as we study the flora, fauna, and man-made structures in and around the Wayne Art Center Grounds. We will work in the plein air tradition of painting. Each week a new "study" will be completed. Prior plein air painting experience required (or please practice using your equipment in the weeks leading up to the class).
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Claudia Rilling
Cost: $250
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Color Theory Meets Pigment Reality Workshop"
May 18, 2024
 

Color is perhaps the most misunderstood and confusing element of painting for people. This workshop will focus on color’s theoretical underpinnings —how it works and why it works— and how to apply these principles when faced with the reality of painting with artist's pigments. Key elements of understanding and mixing color effectively will be covered. Participants will work to develop their own vocabulary of color through making color studies and scales, and paint from a still life to practice seeing, relating and mixing colors. This workshop is designed for beginning through intermediate painters who are looking to gain a greater understanding of color and the color mixing process. Participants may choose to work in oil or acrylic.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Bruce Garrity
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 1-267-514-8647


"Abstracted Landscapes"
June 15, 2024
 

Unleash a new level in your painting! Choose a photograph of your own and explore methods and techniques for abstracting a scene from a small value or color study to a larger contemporary piece. A short demo, art examples and individual instruction will be provided throughout the day. Students may work in oil or acrylic. Please bring several photos to choose from and include one small (6 x 6 to 8 x 10) and one large (16 x 20 to 24 x 36) substrate with your supplies.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Abby Ober
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"In-Class: With an Eye to Color"
September 9-11, 2024
 

The primary focus of this 3-day in-classroom workshop will be on color. While Cynthia is known as a palette knife painter and will give a knife demo, the aim of the workshop is to help people find their own visual voice. What separates you from your fellow painters, what are your particular skills and strengths from which to grow?
 
Location: Marietta, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Cynthia Rosen
Cost: $450
Sponsor: Susquehanna Art Workshops
Website, email, 717-314-9551


"Plein Air: See and Paint with Confidence"
September 16-18, 2024
 

You can learn to create wonderfully energized paintings, capturing the light and atmosphere of your subject. Joe's 3-day plein air workshop will fill you with confidence and vision to move you forward.
 
Location: Marietta, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Joe Gyurcsak
Cost: $600
Sponsor: Susquehanna Art Workshops
Website, email, 717-314-9551


 

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