This week, I’m writing my Zoom classes that start in January. That’s a task I always enjoy. If you want the Tuesday class, Where do I fit in? you’d better hit the plunger fast; there’s only one seat left. However, there are multiple openings in my Monday evening class, Trust the Process, which runs from January 5 to February 9, from 6-9 PM, EST. That surprises me, since I think it’s such a cool class.
It’s for anyone who has ever felt stuck, second-guessed every brushstroke or, worse, overpainted the same passage over and over without fixing anything. We’re going to discuss how process helps you avoid that. Here’s the content as I visualize it right now:
- Foundations and what trust the process means;
- Composition and value as structure for meaning;
- Finding your voice through color and palette;
- Brushwork, layers and risk-taking;
- Narrative and storytelling in painting;
- Developing a body of work with a cohesive voice.
In other words, this is a little different from my usual how-to classes; it’s a guide to developing a painting practice that supports your ideas instead of getting in their way. My goal is to help you shift from wrestling with technique to making technique the handmaiden to personal expression. Over the weeks, we’ll walk through a flexible but structured methodology addressing how to begin a painting, how to build layers, and—crucially—how to know when to stop.
Whether you work in oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache or pastel, you’re very welcome in this class. That goes for whatever level you’re currently painting at, too.
Why process matters
Painting is more than mere decorative art. Done thoughtfully, it is a deeply personal form of narrative. That doesn’t just mean obvious storytelling, either. Color, composition, brushwork, and layering are abstract concepts, but they work together to evoke and support emotional truth.
Although there’s an order-of-operations to painting, technique is more than just a rigid checklist. It’s a language through which you communicate meaning and emotion. Process is liberating, because it allows you to stop futzing around and concentrate on what you’re really trying to say.
Who is this class aimed at?
- Beginners who are eager to learn foundational painting skills;
- Intermediate painters who have good technique but tend to overthink every move;
- Advanced painters who find themselves getting stuck at the same point without understanding what’s going wrong.
By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with:
- A reliable painting workflow;
- A more confident brush hand and color-mixing ability;
- A deeper understanding of how process helps shape narrative and emotional impact;
- A small body of work that reflect your personal creative voice — not someone else’s.
Trust the Process offers real-time guidance and community, a space where you can experiment, ask questions and engage with me and your classmates while you paint. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve painted for years consider stepping into Trust the Process. It isn’t about teaching you how to paint, but rather helping you build a painting practice that lets you tell the story you want to tell.
Registration is now open for workshops in 2026! Reserve your spot:
- Advanced Plein Air Painting | Rockport, ME, July 13-17, 2026
- Sea & Sky | Acadia National Park, ME, August 2–7, 2026
- Find your Authentic Voice in Plein Air | Berkshires, MA, August 10-14, 2026
- New! Color Clinic 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 3-4, 2026
- New! Composition Week 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 5-9, 2026
Can’t commit to a full workshop? Work online at your own pace:
