My daughter Laura had convinced me to not teach a short intersession class in late April, but then I realized I’d be away for six weeks total. (I’m off to do my annual hike before the summer season starts in earnest, this time in the Cotswolds.) I’m worried that six weeks is too long; students will want instruction and the camaraderie of a class and I won’t be there to provide it.
I’ve only got three weeks available so I’ve chosen two subjects that are suitable for a shorter session.
Monday evenings, April 13-27, 6-9 PM: Painting clouds
Clouds are ephemeral, constantly shifting, and yet governed by perspective and structure. In this focused Zoom class, we’ll break clouds down in terms of value, color temperature, atmosphere, edges and movement.
You’ll learn how clouds form in the sky and how that affects how they look from the ground. We’ll concentrate on simplifying their complex shapes and building subtle transitions that give clouds weight and light. We’ll talk about how weather, time of day and perspective change what you see, and how to translate that into paint without fussing it to death.
This is not formulaic painting. It’s based on observing patterns in nature, editing, and confident brushwork. As always, you’ll get direct feedback, practical demonstrations and the benefit of working alongside a thoughtful, supportive group of your painter peers. All media are welcome and all sessions are recorded so you can revisit them anytime.
This short, 3-session class is designed to be a low-pressure way to sharpen your eye. Because of the shorter format, it’s also the perfect opportunity to give weekly Zoom classes a try.
If skies have been your sticking point, this is your way forward.
Sign up now and start painting clouds with clarity and purpose.
Tuesday evenings, April 14-28, 6-9 PM: Critique
Every artist eventually hits a wall where they can no longer see their own work clearly. Formal critique is the most effective tool we have to break through those plateaus—it isn’t about subjective likes or dislikes, but about the disciplined, systematic analysis of a painting.
In this Zoom critique class, you’ll bring your finished work and we’ll look at it together with fresh, objective eyes. We’ll cut through the noise and get to the core issues: composition, value structure, color relationships, and intent.
More importantly, you’ll learn to critique your own work in progress, rather than work yourself into a state of frustration because ‘something isn’t right.’
You’ll learn just as much from others’ work as your own. Seeing how different painters solve (or create) problems sharpens your judgment far faster than working in isolation. It’s a collaborative, thoughtful environment where honest feedback moves everyone forward.
Critique, by the way, is never about tearing work down. It’s about building your ability to assess, edit, and strengthen your paintings with confidence.
Students will bring work they’ve done on their own for analysis within the group. If you’ve never experienced a formal critique, this 3-session series is the perfect entry point. As a group, we’ll put our minds to the problems you’ve been struggling to solve alone. This shorter format is also an ideal way to test-drive a Zoom-based class.
Reserve your spot now and start seeing your work the way it really is—and what it can become.
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:
Trying to capture the Tuscan countryside colors in my paintings
It’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it! 🙂