May 21-23, 2027
Full Three Day Workshop $400 (installment payment option available - just contact me!)
One Day Drop-In (Saturday Only) $175
8 spots total — 7 spots left!

Explore plein air painting techniques that highlight outdoor inspirations as you learn how to block shapes, mix colors, and refine details in this three-day long workshop. Beginners and seasoned artists welcomed!

Pack your paints, grab your favorite hat, and come outside to play. For three days this April, we'll trade the studio for the open air and chase light across the rolling countryside of New Freedom, Pennsylvania.

Day One: Meet, Watch, Paint. We'll start with introductions and a live painting demo. Paint along or just soak it in. After lunch, we'll dig into the fundamentals: color theory, basic shapes, and the dance of light and shadow. Then you'll put it all to work on your first guided painting of the weekend.

Day Two: We'll head to a new spot for a guided morning painting, break for lunch and some free time, then chase the golden late-afternoon light at a second location. Two locations, two paintings, and plenty of chances to see how changing light affects everything.

Day Three: Your Vision, Your Way. Today's yours. We'll settle into a spot with a rich variety of subjects, and you'll choose what to paint and how to compose it, with guidance whenever you want it. We'll wrap up over lunch with a group reflection: what challenged you, what you're proud of, and which painting is your favorite. Then goodbyes, and a fresh batch of wet paintings to take home.

You must supply your own painting supplies and materials:

• Traditional oils OR water soluble oils. My favorite pigments for plein air: Yellow Ochre, Quinacridone Magenta, Quinacridone Red Rose, Ultramarine Blue, Blue Ochre, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Green, Burnt Sienna, and Titanium White. Bring what you’re comfortable with, but I suggest starting with a primary color set + titanium white. I very, very rarely use black, but I do keep Ivory Black on hand just in case. Brands I prefer are Blue Ridge Oil Colors and Gamblin. Other recommended brands that I have used are Winsor & Newton, and Williamsburg. Here is the link to the oils I use about 85% of the time: https://blueridgeoilpaint.com/

• Paint thinner and oil medium (not required - I don’t use either of these during painting)

• Painting surface: Canvas, Linen, Oil Painting Paper or Sheets (Keep it no larger than 11×14in). I’ll mainly be using 8×10 linen panels.

• Brushes

• Easel (field easel, French easel, pochade box, plein air travel easel, etc)

• Palette

• Paper towels

• Trash bag

• Hat, sunglasses, sun protection

This is an oil painting workshop. I will be demonstrating and working exclusively in oils. Acrylic, gouache, and watercolor painters are welcome to join, but should come prepared to work in their chosen medium alongside an oil-focused demonstration and instruction.

Materials: Not provided. Students are responsible for bringing their own painting supplies (paints, brushes, surfaces, easel, palette, mediums, etc.).

Not included: Transportation, lodging/accommodations, and food/beverages are not provided for the entire weekend. Students should plan their own travel, and where to stay.

Locations: Sessions will take place across both the city of New Freedom, Pennsylvania. New Freedom is a historic residential borough in Southern York County, Pennsylvania, located near the Maryland border.

Planned Itinerary:
Friday May 21
Day 1 — Painting Demo and History of New Freedom

9am Meet & Greet — welcome, introductions, overview of the weekend

9:30am Painting Demonstration (location TBD) — watch the instructor paint from start to finish; students may paint along or simply observe

12pm Lunch in the Park (Sandwiches provided)

2pm-4pm Visit Northern Central Railway visit and walking the Trail (not required)

4pm First Painting Lesson — color theory, basic shapes, light and shadow. Everyone paints the same subject and composition, with group and individual instruction.

Saturday May 22‍ ‍
Day 2 — Second Painting

9am Group Painting (location TBD) — everyone paints the same subject, with group and individual instruction

12pm Lunch (at a local restaurant as a group, not provided)

1pm-4pm Free Time — paint independently and/or explore the area

4pm Second Painting Session (different location, TBD)

Sunday May 23
Day 3 — Free Expression Day

9am Free-Expression Painting — a location with a variety of subjects; students choose their own subject and composition, with instructor guidance available

12pm-2pm Closing Lunch (provided) & Reflection — share your struggles, what you want to work on next, and your favorite painting from the weekend

2pm Goodbyes & Departure

Payment and refund policy:

Full & partial payment options available. If paying half and half, I will send you an invoice for the second half one month before the workshop, and it is due no later than one week before the first day.

Full refunds are available until April 1st 2027. After that date, partial refunds are available until May 7 2027. No refunds issued after May 7 2027.

This workshop will be held rain or shine, unless dangerous weather is expected. If this happens, we will have a full day on Sunday instead of a half day. If Sunday is the cancelled day, then I will have a TBD date on hand for those who can attend.