Workshop Calendar

The work of Cezanne and Gauguin has greatly influenced much of painting in the 20th century. There are lessons that we can continue to learn from these masters. Cezanne and Gauguin were only trying to "get it down right" but in doing that they pushed boundaries and explored directions that can help you in your own development as an artist.

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This is the first of three one-day plein air classes on Orcas. .Whether you live on Orcas, in the Islands or near to Anacortes, you can come paint for the day. The hours are set to work with the ferry schedules. Each day is a different location. You may take one or all.
On July 18, we tackle the The Green Problem. Summer is the time to see and to learn how to paint the greens of the trees that are so much of our outdoor scene.


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I have always wanted to paint at the Knapp Farm but it was only during a Historic Barn Tour last October that I discovered what an amazing place the 130 year old "Jorgensen barn" is, This photo was taken late that October day. I will get better ones as soon as we have a sunny day and I am on Orcas.

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The third of the Day on Orcas classes is at the Schmidt's farm with - if anything -- too many choices. That will be part of the day's challenge. There is another fascinating historic barn, complete with a Bonnie and Cyde roadster, a pond with ducks and vistas, outbuildings with a huge tree and long vistas of Crow Valley.

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Take your sketching outside. The summer is slipping away and it is time to see what is there, get it down in your sketchbook, make color notes. This class will teach you how to use your sketching to gather resources and impressions that will last you all winter long. It will teach you a fast way of creating lasting impressions -- whether traveling, or relaxing in your own back yard. You will learn new drawing techniques and solidify those you already have as well as learn how to use your watercolors in a quick and informative way.

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It is possible to design a class for you and your group. You put together a group to come to the islands. I will help you work out lodging and other logistics.

We just had a delightful class where 5 friends rented a house and I came to Orcas. It worked so well that I want to encourage others - 5-6 minimum, 10 maximum - to put together such a class. Plan for 3, 4 or 5 days.


These have become quite popular. It is why you see no classes listed some months.

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You can get started in watercolor or learn the basic processes at your own pace with the Basic Watercolor course. After signing up, you receive the course of study and access to an album of teaching paintings posted on Shutterfly. You post your paintings, raise questions and in the give-and-take are guided to a better understanding of watercolor techniques and more confidence in your ability.

If taking it for credit, after satisfactory completion and roughly 15 hours of work per credit, you receive 3 semester units of professional development credit through Loyola Marymount.




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Watercolor is a complex medium – one with many aspects and elements to it. Glazing is just one aspect – and this on-line course is solely devoted to this process. Glazing is the application of a layer of color over one that has already dried. Developing skill in glazing lets you in on the secret of luminous color that is a major characteristic of watercolor.

If taking it for credit, after satisfactory completion and roughly 15 hours of work per credit, you receive 2 semester units of professional development credit through Loyola Marymount University.
See the Basic Watercolor on Line for a discussion of the on-line procedure.

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Two other on-line classes offered through Loyola Marymount University for credit which you may also take for non-credit are Watercolor Lessons for the Classroom and Inspiration of the Masters.

See the description at the start of the On Line, Basics for how the courses are organized.



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Many watercolor artists are reluctant to put people in their paintings for fear of doing them "wrong." This 3-session series is designed to help build confidence in populating your landscape and to unravel some of the mysteries of working with figures.



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Drawing is about self-discovery. It is about tuning in and tuning out. The week will be as much about learning how to shut out the world and allow yourself to tap into your artist self as it trying different ways to draw. With a “Yes I can!” attitude, anyone can learn to draw.

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Watercolor is about process. Watercolor is about water. To work in watercolor you need to master control and use of the water. You need to learn when to do what -- and what effect you will achieve. It isn't about "making paintings" until the process are understood and at your command. This week is dedicated to the tricky business of water and color -- what's known as WATERCOLOR.

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