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.
Painting Snow in Watercolor: Capturing Light, Shadows and Mood
Instructor: Fran Vail
Join us for this special workshop! Snow may appear white at first glance, but for watercolorists, it’s a dance of light, shadows and reflected color. In this five hour workshop, we’ll explore how to paint convincing and atmospheric snow scenes without ever relying in white paint. With addition of Fran’s demos, students will learn to use the white of the paper, transparent layers and subtle temperature shifts to capture the luminous quality of snow under different lighting conditions. Most supplies included; short supply list.
When: Sunday, 3/29
Time: Noon-5:00 PM
Cost: $195
Art After Hours - Learn Acrylics with Janet Trierweiler
Grab your pals and join instructor, Janet Trierweiler for a relaxing, “no fear” approach to acrylic painting. All levels welcome, all supplies included. Sip and snack while you connect with others, express yourself and leave with a unique still life canvas created by YOU! Class limited to 18 students.
When: Thursday, April 16
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Cost: $100
Colored Pencil: BOTANICALS! 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, 4/18
Time: 12:30-4:30pm
Cost $195
WATERCOLOR BOOTCAMP: Basics for Absolute Beginners! - most supplies included!
Instructor: Kris Van Stockum
Curious about watercolor but not sure where to start? This gentle, 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, gaining confidence with color mixing (without overwhelming color theory), 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; most supplies included. All levels welcome. Absolute beginners encouraged.
(There will be a 30-minute lunch break. Feel free to bring a lunch or stop in one of the many close-by restaurants for carry-out. There is a refrigerator in the studio)
When: Sunday, April 26
Time: 9:30am-3:30pm
Cost: $225
Art After Hours - Learn Watercolor with Fran Vail
Grab your pals and join instructor, Fran Vail for a relaxing, “no fear” approach to watercolor painting. All levels welcome, all supplies included. Sip and snack while you connect with others, express yourself and leave with a unique piece of watercolor artwork created by YOU! Class limited to 18 students.
When: Thursday, April 30
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Cost: $100
Don’t miss a chance to study with a nationally-known artist, speaker, children’s book author and illustrator David Michael Slonim!
Instructor: David Michael Slonim
This workshop unlocks secrets of color and structure so you can paint with more freedom and confidence than ever before. Over time I came to understand that master painters don't paint what they see. Instead, they intentionally design structured color harmonies. And just like musical chords, these common color structures have names; they can be learned. Learning them changed me as an artist, and it changed how people responded to my art. As you practice using the 12 most common color structures found throughout art history, your color choices will immediately result in more beautiful and expressive paintings. I will share color principles that apply whether you paint landscapes, still life, portraits, or abstracts. Whatever your style, this is for you! I won’t teach how to paint like me, but how to paint like you, better than ever. Come ready for an upbeat, encouraging course, and go home energized to paint your best work yet. All styles welcome. Oils, acrylics, and watercolors welcome. Space is limited – grab your spot!
Topics include:
· How to Create Structured Color Harmonies
· Image Structure: Key Concepts
· The Power of Hierarchy in Color
· The Secret of Color Transitions
· Seeing Color in Nature, Film, and Pop Culture
· Staying Open to Wonder, Curiosity, and Surprise
· Overcoming Personal Obstacles
· Painting with Confidence and Freedom
When: Saturday & Sunday, May 9th & 10th
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Cost: $495
Back by popular demand!
Spring Blossoms in Watercolor - all supplies included!
Instructor: Fran Vail
Join us for this special workshop!
Working with live blooms, you’ll learn to mix colors that capture the exquisite hues of delicate blossoms and the natural greens of foliage in all their variety. Fran will demonstrate subtle shading techniques, color palettes and floral textures. She’ll discuss backgrounds and compositions that will make your floral paintings stand out and get noticed. Join her for a joyful, workshop that will move your floral paintings to a new level of artistic skill and enthusiasm.
When: Sunday, 5/17
Time: Noon-5:00pm
Cost: $195
Join us this spring!