Composition Week 2026

Composition Week: October 5-9, 2026

You have a story tell. Composition is what keeps your audience listening.

Why do you paint? To capture a beautiful moment? To express yourself and convey emotion? To create something fresh and new? Your “why” is important. Composition is the “how.”

Composition is the strategic orchestration of elements within a painting. Using tools such as balance, contrast, movement, pattern, and more, you can craft the way your viewer experiences your painting. Composition allows you to draw the eye where you want it to go, so you can tell the story you want to tell.

During Composition Week, we’ll demystify the concepts of composition. In the studio, we’ll use discussion, demo, and individual practice to build up a technical toolkit. In the field, we will practice applying these concepts to what we see.

Bonus: Extend your week and go deep on all things color with Color Clinic 2026.

Additional Details

• Who is this for?
  • All skill levels and mediums are welcome.
  • Maximum 14 students per workshop; class sizes are kept small to allow for individual guidance and group discussion.
• Location
  • We will paint in various locations around Rockport, ME. The Maine coast is an artist’s paradise, with its stunning scenery, vibrant colors, and ever-changing light. We will paint in a number of locations so transportation (perhaps car pooling with other participants) will be required.
• What does a workshop day look like?
  • Time: 9-4 each day
  • Each day will include morning and afternoon painting and lunch-time discussions and demos. Students will need to bring a portable easel as well as the other art supplies necessary for painting. A list will be sent to registrants.
• How much does it cost?
  • $775. This covers all painting instruction. Lodging, meals, and supplies are the responsibility of the student.

Refunds available up to 60 days prior to start, less a $50 administration fee.