WORKSHOPS
Please sign-up at least three (3) days before the scheduled dates of workshops to allow teachers enough time for planning and preparation of any necessary materials. Participants signing up after that point will be accommodated if space is available. NSAL Membership is not required for workshops.
Instructor: Kris Van Stockum
Focus: Controlled looseness, wet-on-wet technique, negative space
Discover the joy of painting watercolor florals and foliage with confidence in this workshop. We’ll explore expressive brushwork, fresh color mixing and the wet-on-wet technique to create loose flowers, leaves and stems with movement and charm. This workshop encourages a relaxed approach that values spontaneity over perfection. All supplies included.
When: Sunday, August 9
Time: Noon-3:00pm
Cost: $198
Watercolor BOOTCAMP for Absolute Beginners
Instructor: Kris Van Stockum
Curious about watercolor but not sure where to start? This beginner-friendly bootcamp is designed to take the fear out of watercolor and replace it with confidence, play and real skills you can use right away. We’ll break watercolor down into simple, approachable steps – learning how water and pigment work together, practicing essential brushstrokes, exploring core techniques like wet-on-wet and layering and the how’s and why’s of selecting paper, brushes and pigments. Through guided exercises and supported mini-projects, you’ll move from practice to a few small finished paintings in a relaxed, encouraging environment. No prior experience is needed. This workshop is perfect for first-time painters or anyone who has “tried watercolor before” but felt frustrated or stuck. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how watercolor works and the confidence to keep painting on your own. Short supply list. All levels welcome. Absolute beginners encouraged.
When: Sunday, 10/4
Time: 10:00am-2:00pm
Cost: $225
Plein Air Painting the City/Landscape: Structure and Atmosphere
Instructor: Christina Body
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to paint alongside well-known plein air (outdoors) artist Christina Body during this one-day workshop. Turn your 2 dimensional canvas into a 3 dimensional cityscape/landscape. Learn how to design your canvas by arranging structures and elements in nature to create an organized landscape with depth and atmosphere. Using a limited palette, we will discover how cool colors recede and warm colors drawn the eye forward. We will also practice ‘seeing’ big shapes, less detail and how light effects architecture and the landscape. Get ready to capture moments in time in the beautiful setting of Winnetka! We will meet at the League’s main studio. Short supply list.
When: Sunday, 10/11
Time: 9:00am-2:00pm
Cost: $195
About Christina Body:
Urban landscape artist, Christina Body studied painting at Southern Illinois University, The America Academy of Art, The Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, and with a number of master artists. She is known for her unusual viewpoints of Chicago and vibrant color. Christina’s award-winning studio and plein air paintings have earned her participation in prestigious national juried exhibitions, national plein air painting competitions, museum shows, scholarships and numerous private and corporate collections and commissions, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital Corporate Collection and The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Christina was written about and a ‘Featured Artist’ in PleinAir Magazine, ‘Artist to Watch’ in Southwest Art Magazine, ‘Featured Artist’ in LA Art Guide, featured in American Artist Magazine, and the honor to hang her paintings in The White House during the Obama administration. Most recently, Christina won 3 awards at the 2026 Evanston Plein Air Painting Festival, Best in Show, Festival Favorite (voted by the people of Evanston) and top prize for an evening Paint Out. Christina is a member of Oil Painters of America, American Women Artists, International Plein Air Painters, and a founding member of the Plein Air Painters of Chicago.
Colored Pencil: FALL PUMPKINS, GOURDS & MORE! all supplies included
Instructor: Lyndsay Murphree
Using live floral specimens, you will learn the principles of botanical art in this beginner friendly workshop. Choosing the right colored pencils for drawing botanicals can be overwhelming! In the second half of class, we will cover colored pencil techniques such as layering and blending to finish off your drawing in vibrant color. We will work with the pencils to gain a better understanding of how to mix and layer, and begin to build a deeper understanding of color. Whether you are looking for realism, or want to be a little more creative, understanding color will help you achieve the results you want. This workshop is suitable for beginners, or intermediate students. All supplies included!
When: Saturday, 10/17
Time: 12:30-4:30pm
Cost $195
Monotype Printing with a Gelli Plate
Instructor: Janet Trierweiler
Experimenting with Gelli Plate monotypes has added a fun and exciting new dimension to my painting practice. Working in layers, students will learn to work with mark-making, stencils, masking and making creative tools out of common household items. Learn how to use the right paper to get the affects you desire. Water-based ink, Golden Open Acrylics or fluid acrylics can be used with the Gelli Plates. Short supply list.
When: Sunday, 10/18
Time: 12:30-5:30pm
Cost: $195
Abstract Landscape Painting with Oil & Cold Wax -bring your paintings to the next level, adding layers and texture!
Instructor: Maria Sundqvist
Maria is an accomplished artist who has been using cold wax with her oil paint as a method of adding depth and atmosphere to her paintings. Building your current skills and if you like layers and texture- Maria will share techniques on how to create translucency and interest in your paintings.
Using traditional and non-traditional tools (like brayers, sticks, cards, etc.) you will learn how to create other-worldly images as well as being able to add a fresh look to your paintings. Maria will make this a fun day dedicated to exploring your art, further your skill and expanding your ability to create your works. You will get to explore the medium in quicker and smaller paintings on paper before spending longer time painting on a gesso board. You will leave with a completed piece or more!
When: Saturday, 10/24
Time: 12:30-5:30pm
Cost: $230
Colorful Autumn - Watercolor Workshop – all supplies included!
Instructor: Fran Vail
Embrace the rich palette of fall by painting a moody, expressive autumn landscape or a vibrant botanical. This workshop will focus on maximizing brush control, layering luminous fall colors, and using contrast to create the illusion of glowing autumn sunlight.
Participants learn essential wet-on-wet techniques, color mixing, and blending to create their own stunning masterpieces. Working with live blooms, you’ll learn to mix colors that capture the exquisite hues of fall foliage in all their variety. Fran will demonstrate subtle shading techniques, color palettes and textures. She’ll discuss backgrounds and compositions that will make your paintings stand out and get noticed. Join her for a joyful, workshop that will move your watercolor paintings to a new level of artistic skill and enthusiasm.
When: Sunday, 10/25
Time: Noon-5:00pm
Cost: $195
Watercolor Rescue Mission - How to Fix, Transform & Finish a Painting
Instructor: Kris Van Stockum
Every watercolor artist has a painting that starts with promise and then somehow goes off the rails. In this hands-on workshop, students will learn how to diagnose what isn't working and discover creative strategies for bringing a struggling painting back to life. Through demonstrations, guided exercises, and individual problem-solving, we’ll explore how to strengthen weak values, revive muddy color, improve composition, simplify overworked areas, and redirect the viewer’s eye. Students will learn when to lift, glaze, soften, sharpen, crop, simplify—or even completely rethink—a painting. The goal is not simply to "fix" a painting, but to develop the confidence and artistic judgment to respond creatively when things don't go as planned. All supplies included.
When: Saturday, 11/14
Time: 12:30-3:30pm
Cost: $198
Block Printmaking - Without a Press!
Instructor: Janet Trierweiler
Learn easy-carve block printing to create bold graphic art and pattern design. You’ll learn about designing for the block, using the tools and how to print without a press. We’ll practice and discuss how to combine block prints with painting, textile and other printmaking processes such as Gelli prints. This experimental process will add a fun and exciting new dimension to your work.
When: Saturday, 12/5
Time: 12:30-5:30pm
Cost: $200
Join us this fall!