looking for good workshops

[crem]

I would like to find good art workshops and instruction in the western USA - plein air, landscape & figure. I work primarily in oils and sometimes watercolor. I do NOT want a "paint like me" or "how to paint a horse" sort of instruction. I want to be challenged beyond my own comfort zone and to improve my ability to make compelling art, with concentration on composition, design, originality, IDEA and valuable critique, with some suggestions on process as well. I have been frustrated by art instructors who do not know how to teach, but just know how to paint like themselves. If anyone has found such a workshop or art instructor as I am looking for, I'd love to hear a review. Thanks.

[wsrea]

Claire, finding someone who can paint AND who can teach is tough. Especially someone who can teach using what you already know.

By far the best workshop instructor I've found is Susan Sarback, from Sacramento. I've taken four weeklong workshops with her and learned more every time.

She does "color intensive" indoor workshops as well as plein aire. Here is a link to her website--"workshops" at the bottom pulls up a pdf.

http://lightandcolor.com/

I wrote a testimonial for her here:

http://lightandcolor.com/students.html

Good luck!

[shubert]

Look for any workshop with Randall Sexton. Great teacher and artist. He lives in SF but travels all over. I took his workshop when he came to south Georgia.

[timonsloane]

Great thread - and an important topic.

Best teacher I know of is Richard McKinley. He is the best known pastel instructor, but he also teaches in oil. You could use oils to one of his pastel workshops I bet.

The first workshop of his I went to was 5 days plein air. No joking, he did 2 demos a day, each using a different technique. He is the absolute best at being able to talk and explain while simultaneously painting. On top of this there was plenty of time to paint and evening sessions reviewing slides. His critiques are great too.

His workshops are almost impossible to get into because people go back year after year.

[westcoast_Mike]

You might take a look at Ray Roberts\Peggy Kroll-Roberts. Very nice couple and he is one of the best I've run into for learning to paint water. They give plenty of exercises as well as Demos. If you are uncertain, they have done quite a few demos\lessons on DVD that are quite reasonable. It could allow you to see if you are\are not interested in learning more from them.

A little advise on Workshops in general. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you ask questions and ask for specific advice you will probably get it. They aren't mind readers and often if you don't ask, they won't offer.

[Saturday Painter]

I wholeheartedly agree with westcoast Mike.

[Naturegyrll]

Richard Gallego does a regular workshop and several weeklong workshops. I believe he will be teaching in Taos in October. Great teacher at any level.

http://www.gallegoart.com/index.asp

[tuzigoot]

Michael Chesley Johnson teaches in Sedona during the 'cool' months. Great artist and teacher and all around nice guy. Great at leading you out of your ruts. Setting's not bad either.

http://www.michaelchesleyjohnson.com/html/workshops.htm

[MChesleyJohnson]

Hey, thanks for the plug, Linda! Claire - PM me (or email me) if you have any questions!