Painting Workshops

Creating a painting that is loose and painterly, yet accurate is a fun and exciting way to paint.  Kathleen will walk you through a different exercise each week, using various items to help you in this creative process.  Along with these fun exercises, she will also teach you how to apply fundamental lessons needed to make a strong painting.

This class will be taught in oils, but students using acrylics are welcome.

Leffel-Massengill will teach students what to look for when selecting a wave photograph to paint. Paying careful attention to compositional elements, students will learn how to divide the canvas into pleasing shapes. Leffel-Massengill uses the basic block in and refine method of painting and will demonstrate the process step by step. Color and value will be studied with regard to achieving the mood or impression the artist wants to convey to the viewer. How to paint the various kinds of foam will be covered as we “turn the light on” in the final steps of Making Waves – In a Good Way. 

In this workshop, Leffel-Massengill will ask you to choose a subject based upon what you want to convey to the viewer of the painting when finished.  Are you looking for dramatic lighting, a quiet serene feeling or perhaps some level of excitement as sunlight dances across a bouquet of flowers?  We will discuss things to consider in the “planning stage” of painting. Leffel-Massengill uses the block in and refine method of creating a painting and will do demos to explain the process. Composition, values, color and edges will be studied as we set out to paint a Fantastic Floral! 

This three day workshop is a simplified color research class that will elevate your knowledge of color no matter what your current level. By the end of your “research,” you will be able to mix any color you want the FIRST time, saving untold amounts of time and paint!

Students who take this workshop will learn the power of darks and  lights, their potential arrangement via a thumbnail sketch in composing a painting and how to match actual colors to the value worked out in that thumbnail sketch.  We will be doing several exercises to help learn this process.

The objective of this workshop is to create vibrant paintings using color harmonies from select palettes. 

 By limiting the number of colors used and learning the proper mixing techniques, adding and removing, the painter learns to control the palette and achieve a pleasing harmony. Limited palettes clarify values, giving the artist more control over the painting process. 

This practice also personalizes future paintings to become identifiable and unique to the artist. 

Day 1-The workshop will begin with a short demo and then a practice session. In the afternoon, students will try the technique with a reference of their choice, or photos will be provided by the instructor. A short technique will end the day. 

Day 2- The workshop will begin with a short demo, using a totally different palette from the previous day, but painting the same or very similar subject. Students will practice mixing techniques. After lunch students will practice from their reference photos.  

Workshop will end with a critique. 

The objective of this workshop is to create accurate representations in an Impressionist style imbued with emotion. The photograph(s) is the jumping point from which the portrait will be rendered, but the objective is not to paint a photo realist image. By learning the rudimentary techniques for painting a recognizable, accurate portrait, the student will be free to add color and imagery to imbue the painting with emotion and personalization.  Day 1 – The workshop will begin with a demo. The demo will be in stages, allowing the students to follow at each major step. Students will practice the technique with a reference of their choice, either a person or animal. A short critique will end the day. Day 2 – Will follow a similar format as Day 1. Students can continue with the portrait they started, or work from a new reference photo. A final critique will end the workshop 

In this 3 Day Workshop students will learn how to paint expressive portraits all the while keeping things simple. With guidance you will be able to take your work to another level.

Painting horses can be a real challenge unless you know how to identify important landmarks. This workshop is designed to provide an understanding of those key elements. Reference images don’t always reveal needed information so the class will have a hands on session with a LIVE horse. Students will learn to compare real life experience to photos of their own or those provided by instructor.

As a bonus we will paint a classic barn dog on the last day. This workshop is a two for one experience!

Experience the calming effects and therapeutic benefits of watercolor painting while experimenting with the abstract, unpredictable and playful nature of watercolor. Investigate the process with unique methods and materials. Learn pouring, flowing, dripping, and texturizing techniques across varied papers. Explore controlled mark-making on top of washes with various inks, pencils, and other materials that will lead to layered, transparent compositions telling a unique story. Brief demonstrations and discussions will alternate between periods of quiet individual work. Discover ways to develop a personal narrative through relaxed expression, gestural brushwork with spontaneous form, and color as you work from memory or inspirational references. Each student will be met at their level and individually supported in their learning. This workshop is suitable for all levels, no previous experience necessary.

A 5-hour workshop is held, where the student will learn to paint tulips, magnolias, and Chinese roses with acrylics, using the blending and dry brush technique.

It will be taught how to paint full colors, without leaving marks, dirty brush technique, and blending on a 19in x 15.5in canvas.

This is a very experimental format, many items are used along the discovery timeline along with your unique creative perspective and imagination. Each session has a unique approach using acrylics in opaque to transparent glazing washes. We’ll be using matte & gloss medium and modeling paste to create textures and we’ll develop our own personal palettes.

Exploring The World Of Abstract Acrylics Supply List