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 CONNECTING WITH YOUR SUBJECT TO CREATE PAINTINGS THAT SPEAK TO YOUR VIEWERS ~ Learn in 2024 Workshops 

As artists we want to connect in some way with the scene before us.  We want to convey to our viewers the way we felt about the subject in the paintings we create.  Whether it is figures, still life or landscape, we want to say something meaningful.  If all we wanted to do was capture an image we would take photographs.  But, even those photographs can fall short of what we want to say unless we know our craft well as photographers.  Take for instance, the great photographer Ansel Adams.  His work went beyond the “snapshot” type of photos most of us take.  He manipulated his images to say something that was meaningful about his subject.  He created works of art.  Isn’t that exactly what we want to do, create a beautiful painting that is a work of art not just a rendering of the subject?  

When I teach  workshops I emphasis being bold and fearless as a way to break old habits and see more like we are meant to as painters.  We have all heard the term “seeing like an artist.”  Well, what exactly does that mean?   Basically, it means that when we look at our subject  we should be seeing  shapes, values, colors and overall design that comes across in an abstract sense, as opposed to seeing things, objects, such as trees, structures, mountains, clouds, etc.  We should build our compositions like jigsaw puzzles.  Each piece represents an element in the overall design of your painting.  To the beginning painter that can all sound like a foreign language!  A language that needs to be clarified through repeated practice, observation and a new perspective for connecting with your scene.

This brings me to how excited I am to introduce my wonderful destination workshops in 2024!  Workshops that offer some of the most stunning scenery in the country, that can inspire and lead to breakthroughs in your painting!  There is something for everyone.  Perhaps you would like to take more than one during the year in order to take in the breathtaking beauty of the Maine Coast, the Rocky Mountains and the incredible California Coast along the Monterey Peninsula!  That is just  3 of the 5 offerings.  If you can only take one, then you have some great choices!  Each is unique and so inspiring for painters!  To get a full description of each one, visit my website at https://annlarsen.com/workshops 

GEORGIA - MARCH 21 TO 23 - CREATING DYNAMIC PAINTINGS FROM PHOTOGRAPHS 

The first workshop of the season will be held at Anderson Fine Art Gallery in St. Simons Island, Georgia.  We will explore the use of photographs to go beyond just the image and start to “see like an artist.”  Learn the advantages and disadvantages of using photos.   THE WAIT LIST ONLY!  Visit https://andersonfineartgallery.com/workshops for details and registration information. 

MAINE - JULY 15 TO 19  - SIMPLIFYING THE MAINE LANDSCAPE II

 I will be teaching again  in mid-Coast Maine.  We will be painting around the iconic fishing towns of Rockland and Camden.  Historic schooners, lobster boats, working fishing piers, great architecture and rocky shores.  Something for everyone!  Not to mention all the lobster you can eat at many wonderful restaurants.  HOLD THE DATE  ~ THE FULL DESCRIPTION AND REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY 2024! 

VERMONT - AUGUST 12 TO 15 - HARMONY IN THE SUMMER LANDSCAPE

 The beautiful Landgrove Inn, Landgrove, VT will be the starting point for this summer workshop.  The Landgrove area provides some wonderful opportunities to explore the use of color and value to harmonize our paintings.  Especially, taming all those greens of summer. https://www.landgroveinn.com

COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 3 TO 8 - ALL INCLUSIVE!! BOLD & FEARLESS PLEIN AIR PAINTING

 If you want to paint on one of the beautiful Colorado ranches, Yellow Pine Ranch in southwestern Colorado, you will find towering pines and aspens, and beautiful mountain vistas. There are horses on the ranch as well as occasional turkey and deer.  The Cuchara River runs through the property.  Something for all of us to explore in paint.   All lodging, meals, afternoon cocktails and appetizers are included.  I can’t think of anything more inspiring to paint than Colorado in the fall!!  https://artaspens.com/workshops


CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 28 TO 30 - CAPTURING THE MOMENT IN LIGHT & COLOR

 One I am particularly thrilled to be teaching is with Carmel Visual Arts in Carmel, California.  We will be painting along the majestic Monterey coast and the Carmel Valley.  Two historically significant  places to learn to “see like an artist!”  
The final workshop of the season will be in one of my favorite painting locations.  I cannot begin to describe how incredible the Monterey Peninsula is for painters.   This was, and still is, home to so many fabulous artists.  The early California Impressionists painted this coast and inland along the Camel Valley, such as Edgar Payne, William Wendt,  Frans Bischoff, Anna Hills, and Hanson Puthuff.  As well as many of todays contemporary painters.  There are cliffs that tower over the ocean with its azure and emerald colored water and crashing 60' waves.  The iconic Monterey Cypress trees hug the coast.  Not to mention the beautiful light that illuminates the ocean like no other place I have ever seen.  Come join me as we wrap up the season!   Click on “Workshops” above for full descriptions and registration information.