Painting

Pre-registration is required for classes & workshops - please register online below or call 508-693-1850.
Minimum age requirement for all adult classes is 14 years old.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY:
Please read all class descriptions and be aware of age, skill level and materials requirements in ADVANCE of registering for any classes and workshops. Featherstone does not issue refunds unless we cancel the class due to low enrollment.

Acrylic Painting (Intermediate/Advanced) with John Holladay
Days: Wednesdays
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 / July 6, 13, 20, 27 / August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 / September 7, 14, 21 , 28
Time: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Location: Art Barn Painting Studio
Fee: $50 per class (materials not included, please see list below)

Join John Holladay on Wednesday mornings to perfect your painting techniques. Bring a photograph or drawing for inspiration, recommended materials list below:
Materials List:
Paint brushes:
a flat brush, about half inch wide
a medium brush
a small brush
the more brushes the better....big brushes paint big areas and small brushes paint small areas...
Miscellaneous:
rags
canvas (remember the smaller the canvas the harder it is to paint) I would suggest 16 by 20 or something close to that.
a roll of masking tape
Paint:
a basic acrylic set will work
matte medium paint: a big tube of white and black
or if you want to use oils – it must be water based set plus extra white or black
For paint colors, John suggests:
red
yellow
green - (hookers green if available)
purple
thalo blue
burnt umber or burnt sienna
and any other colors you like

Pastel Landscape Drawing with Neva Goldstein
Days: Tuesdays
Dates: Nov 1, 8, 15, 29
Time: 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Location: Art Barn Painting Studio
Fee: $200 plus materials (materials not included, please see list below)

In this 4-week course, students will learn of the special luminous qualities obtainable through the use of chalk pastels. The basics of composition and color theory will be taught, as well as various pastel techniques used to create a broad array of visual effects. Students will have the opportunity to create and complete 2 or more finished drawings.
Each student should bring several pictures they would like to recreate in pastel.

Materials List (Dickblick.com is recommended for supplies).
18x24 Pastel paper pad (specifically for pastels). Colored or grey paper is best.
1 set soft pastels - Sennelier or Schminke recommended. There are sets specifically for landscape.
Additional individual pastel sticks in rich dark blue, and more natural greens.
Large kneaded eraser
Masking tape
Can of workable fixative
Apron or other cover-up
Shammy cloth for blending

Painting the Landscape in Watercolor with Lynn Hoeft
Days: Wednesdays
Dates: April 27 / May 4, 11, 18, 25 / June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 / July 6, 13, 20, (no 27) / August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 / September 7, 14, 21 , 28 / October 5
Time: 1:00PM - 3:30PM
Location: Outside the Art Barn Painting Studio*
Fee: $40 per class (materials not included, please see list below)
* Please note - watercolor classes will meet outside (unless inclement weather). Please bring layers/sun hats/water!

Working primarily outside at Featherstone (or indoors in the classroom if the weather demands it), we’ll examine all the elements that contribute to a successful landscape painting.
We’ll try to keep it simple and direct, using bigger brushes to capture the most important elements of a landscape, aiming for a bright impressionistic view with just the right amount of detail. Along the way, we’ll talk about color mixing, hard vs. soft edges, how to simplify a complex subject and how to stop worrying about making mistakes.
Although we hope to be outside most days, please bring a paper copy of your chosen photo (or an image on a tablet) in case we must work inside. We will have a small collection of photos from magazines on hand for you to use as well.
Join us for a single class or come every week. All levels are welcome.

Materials List:
a set of tube (soft) watercolors, artist’s grade is best but student grade ok, any brand is fine
4 or 5 assorted watercolor brushes, one flat and the others round, sizes 8-12
pad of watercolor paper either 8x10 or 9x12
paper support (drawing board or a piece of masonite)
roll of masking tape
palette
water container
kleenex or paper towels
spray bottle for water is helpful

Open Painting Studio
Days: Fridays * October dates switch to Thursdays
Dates: June 3, 10, 17, 24 / July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 / August 5, (no 12), 19, 26 / September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Time: 10:30AM - 1:30PM
Location: Art Barn Painting Studio
Fee: $20 per meeting - pre-registration required!

This non-instructional time is for those who wish to paint amongst a group - to network and share ideas and techniques. Bring your own supplies, we provide the space!

Still Life 101 with Liz Taft
Days: Fridays
Dates: October 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18
Time: 10:30AM - 1:00PM
Location: Art Barn Painting Studio
Fee: $50 per class

This class is about learning to see things simply and translating that into a painting. We will do that by observing a single natural element - a flower, a vegetable, a piece of fruit - and distilling it, seeing its irregularities. We’ll start by drawing the item, sketching its shape/s, creating an interesting composition. That’s the first step in making something you will be pleased with. Once you get the hang of that, we’ll move on to doing a one color study. The last step will be painting with colors. This class is about taking your time to figure out what you are doing by really looking at what is in front of you.

Every week each student will bring in a still life natural object to work with. It can be a single flower, a vegetable, a piece of fruit.

If you have not taken this course before, please contact Liz in advance to discuss materials and class.

Things to bring:
1. A sketch book and a couple of pencils. I like spiral-bound sketchbooks with a hardcover so I can flip the pages and draw with it easily in my hand.
2. A natural object and a neutral white cloth/sheet/dishtowel to put under it.
3. Paints, palette, brushes, and a surface to paint on.

Students are welcome to use whatever medium they want. I am an oil painter so know less about acrylics and watercolor. We will be using the IQair machine to filter the air in the room and keep any odors to a minimum.

Previous 2022

Visiting Artist Workshop: Luscious Landscapes: Back to Basics and Beyond with Cheryl O'Neil
Date: Thursday, September 8
Time: 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Location: Art Barn Painting Studio
Fee: $150 for the 6 hour workshop

Create expressive, dynamic works of art in this informative one-day workshop laying the groundwork to find success in exploring and interpreting your landscape photographs.
Learn to simplify your composition to create a strong, expressive landscape.
Gain skills and confidence through demonstrations and guided exercises focusing on the essential elements: composition, tonal values, and color.
Please bring 3 or more of your landscape photographs and the supplies you are currently working with in the medium of your choice.
While my demonstrations will be in pastel, these techniques can be used with any medium. You will have ample one-on-one instruction time at your easel to experiment, explore, and develop your own unique landscape designs.
Open to students with some drawing experience and to those who are interested in expanding their pastel, painting, collage, and printmaking skills.

Tentative class schedule:
Morning: Welcome/overview of workshop. Demonstrations and guided exercises focusing on setting up for successful works of art through exploring composition, value, and color.
Lunch: Brown bag or pick up lunch at a local market.
Afternoon: Work from your chosen landscape photograph using your composition, value, and color studies.

About the Instructor:
Learn more about Cheryl here.
Cheryl O’Neil is a pastel painter, art instructor, and art therapist. The beauty and whimsy of her surroundings inspire her artwork. She captures those qualities through distinctive compositions and bold colors. Originally a painter in acrylic and oils, Cheryl has been painting in pastels for the past twenty years and is always looking forward to where her creative journey will take her next.

For the past fifteen years Cheryl and her husband have made an annual September pilgrimage to The Vineyard, pastel supplies in tow. Exploring the island on foot and slowing down to take in the island’s natural beauty have been an integral part of her creative process and joy. She lives in Newton, MA, with her husband and her beloved perennial garden.

Landscape Painting & Drawing Workshop with Katherine Gagnon
Days: Thursdays
Dates: June 30 // July 28 // August 25
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Art Barn Painting Studio
Fee: $80 per 3 hour workshop, includes all materials.

Join artist Katherine Gagnon to find your own artistic voice through painting and drawing in this hands on workshop! Participants will be asked to bring a compelling landscape image (photograph printed out or on a iPad/tablet is fine too!). Something you are drawn to mimic, find aesthetically pleasing or has a meaningful connection to you. Using watercolor and oil pastels, participants will layer these materials and think about how color and texture are applied to create their very own landscape painting! We will learn about and be asked to consider light condition, proportion, placement and figure/ground relationships.

Learn more about Katherine here.

Visiting Artist Workshop: Dynamic Skies & Seascapes in Oil
with Douglas David
Capture the sunrise, the stormy atmosphere and the wave
Dates: Tuesday-Wednesday, August 23-24
Time: 9:30AM - 4:00PM each day
Location: Art Barn Painting Studio
Fee: $350 plus materials (materials list below)
Visit our Drawing page to learn about Douglas' Drawing Basics workshop on Monday, August 22!

This amazing studio seascape painting workshop will yield several waves and seascapes with stormy and incredible skies over a 2 day period. Sunrise, sunset and deep and moody days will be included. Class will cover the basic principles of oil painting with regard to seascape painting. Discussions and lectures on basic composition, massing, building form, light and shadow, near and far, capturing and developing atmospheric distance and depending on your own style, knowing when a work is finished (learning how to not overwork you painting). Students will work in their own style/technique so that the finished work is their own.

Douglas will overview his palette and concepts his work entails. After a brief morning intro and adequate time to mix and set up the palette, Douglas will demo a seascape and have the class follow along. Much time will be allowed for individual discussion and review in a systematic rotation. Various seascapes will be painted over the 2 day workshop and some incredible paintings will be accomplished. Depending on the skill level of each student, students are able to grow and develop at a rate that is to their comfort. Demos and individual discussions/instruction will help each student to begin to reach the preliminary goals they are striving to meet. Plan to produce several paintings. Plan to bring notebook/sketchbook and enjoy some demos along with some great stories to help you remember these principles that are the foundation of Douglas’ teaching.

Materials List:
(these are not absolute, just my way of getting to a good result)
liquin
mineral spirits
Oils - Utrecht (order from Dick Blick) Cad. Red Light, Aliz Crim., Phthalo Blue, Phthalo Green, Ultram. Blue, Ultram. Violet, Lemon Yellow, Yellow Green, Green Earth Hue, Sap Green, Prussian Green, Yellow Ochre, Ivory Black, large tube of “Permalba” White
OPTIONAL Oils - Greenish Umber Mixture, Burnt Sienna, Jaune Brilliant No 2. Holbein Ivory White, Cad Medium and Cad Red Dark
Paper Towels
disposable palette pad, palette knife
brushes- filberts- #2,4,6 maybe 8 or 10
rounds- in above sizes if you prefer round over filberts.
rounds- in really small like #0,1, or 2- to be able to put in some detail and sign
a few throw away bristle brushes from hardware store in 1" and 2-2.5" sizes
Canvases- Quantity 2-3 5"x7", 2-3 8"x10", 1-2 10"x20" or 12"x16" or 16"x20" or 15"x30"(or whatever size desired for larger painting)
And anything else student needs to help them paint well and feel comfortable.
Please prime all canvas with a thin coat of thinned down Cad Red light and white to make a pink or light red tone on canvas (acrylic is fine to tone canvas).
Douglas has a “suitcase of supplies” he brings along, it includes some recommended books, and some supplies in case a few students need a few items that are forgotten.
Douglas also will offer a “BASIC PAINT KIT” (while supplies last) which includes all the basic oils, brushes, palette knife, palette and canvas panels and medium for those who do not want to buy these supplies individually. You would need to bring some paper towels and rubber gloves. Price approximately $150., while supplies last. Please reserve your kit when registering.
Class Tentative Outline:
Day 1
1st hour: Welcome/Overview of Class.
2nd hour: Discuss principles and mix palette.
Lunch: Brown bag.
Afternoon: In studio.
Day 2
Morning: In Studio.
Lunch: Brown bag.
Afternoon: In Studio.

About the Instructor:
Learn more about Douglas here.
Douglas David has painted his way across the country, capturing the beauty and spirit of the things he loves - tranquil country landscapes, sunrises and sunsets on his favorite beaches, a simple pitcher of spring lilacs or peonies, a lemon, lime or a slice of watermelon on a checked tablecloth. Paintings that reflect comfort, warmth meaning and simplicity: similar to everything important to him - his close knit family, life-long friendships, creatively fulfilling work and giving his best. A recipient of numerous regional and national awards and honors, Douglas’ teaching is a way of giving back and sharing some of his journey with those who choose to study with him.

Approaching Painting (painting in watercolor, oil or acrylic) with Eva Cincotta
Days:   Mondays
Dates: June 6, 13, (no 20), 27 / July (no 4), 11, 18, 25 / August 1, 8, 15, 22
Time: 9:00AM - 12:00PM 
Location: Art Barn Painting Studio
Fee: $50 per class  (materials not included, please see list below)

This class combines demos, techniques and individual instruction to students on how to loosen up. Discover watercolor, oil and acrylic painting approaches that lead to more quick, loose and vibrant works. Using observational practice as a launching point, we'll simplify the process, learn how to create fresh, deliberate marks and break out of our comfort zone.   Students will be guided through the creative process to find their self expression. Bring photos of the subject you would like to paint. Through demos, lectures and critiques, we will work toward resolving still life, landscape or previous paintings.

Eva's watercolor materials list includes:
Quality watercolors are permanent and surpass student grade or sets used in grade school. Whether you choose tube or pan sets, have a minimum of 9-12 color selection.
Brushes-(need 3 or 4) 2" flat, #12 round, #8 round. Better to buy a couple of good brushes than a full set of cheap brushes.

Paper should be 140 lb. sheets or pads, and Board- Paper should be attached to a light weight board with masking tape or clips.

Eva's oil or acrylics materials list includes:  
Paints, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Medium, Ultramarine Blue, Thalo Blue, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Cadmium Yellow Pale, large tube While, 4 to 6 brushes-(from 1/2" to 2") , palette, (painting medium for oils and turp or brush cleaner), paper towels, painting boards or canvas.

Visiting Artist Workshop: Oil for Everyone: Beginner’s Oil Painting with Lily Keller
Dates: Thursday-Friday, August 11-12
Times: Day 1: 12:00PM - 4:00PM
Day 2: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Art Barn Painting Studio and on location
Fee: $275 for 2 day workshop + $50 optional materials fee (or bring your own/purchase your own from Lily's materials list page).

This course is for two types of people: Anyone who has ever wanted to learn oil painting–whether you are a complete beginner to painting itself, or maybe you have worked with acrylic, watercolor, or just been devoted to your sketchbook. Maybe you have been curious about oil, but thought it was too toxic, too advanced, or too complicated to attempt. If that sounds familiar, then this weekend course is for you! Lily loves to debunk these popular oil painting myths, and show that painting with oil can be simple, non-toxic, and accessible to everyone. This course is also wonderful for anyone who loves oil painting and Martha’s Vineyard, who wants to come create an oil painting start to finish in a beautiful place.
In this two-day course, students will go start to finish over Lily's own oil painting process. Beginning with a site visit in a beautiful Vineyard location – Lily will go over how she takes photos with a painting in mind. Upon returning to the studio she will show you how she edits these photos to make them into the best possible reference for a painting. Students will then prep their canvases, choose their palette colors, and work on creating their own personal masterpiece!

Learn more about Lily here.

Visiting Artist Workshop: Paint Your Life with Dr. Morna McNulty
Date: Saturday, July 30
Time: 9:00AM - 3:30PM (please bring bag lunch!)
Location: Art Barn Painting Studio
Fee: $160 (includes materials fee)

The Paint Your Life (PYL) system is built on a series of six short (45 min) “games,” designed sequentially to build upon one another. Participants will work with various dry materials including oil and chalk pastels, colored pencils, and markers. No artistic experience is required! The sequence is developed specifically to move between experiences that encourage participants to look inward using their creative minds-eye and self-reflection, balanced with aesthetic experiences that look “outward” toward the space, place, and persons in the surrounding environment. The result is a system which enables participants to think about the “push and pull” ways in which they think, to focus on the process rather than the product, and to be open to a myriad of possible outcomes. Slowness and mindfulness are key.
Paint Your Life trained facilitator, Dr. Morna McNulty, will work with participants to inspire breakthrough ideas for innovative practice in your field of profession or personal life, open doors to creative pathways for a new life outlook, and open personal doors to creativity, revealed hidden talents and aptitudes, and empowered participants with new ideas, original art concepts, and magnetic insights. The PYL facilitator encourages you to embrace this program as a depth-enrichment process that will truly deepen and electrify your life from within. Best of all, there is no risk here. For anyone. It is a win-win-win moment for anyone who seeks to uncover the power of the imagination to change themselves and the world around them. Change never happens unless at the core you both have access to this process and can bring your professionalism to bear today.

Morna McDermott McNulty, PhD Bio: Dr. McNulty is a professor at Towson University, where she teaches various theory and methods courses in the College of Education. Her teaching and research focus on the intersections of art, social justice, and public education. She explores how the arts serve as a form of literacy that challenges traditional classroom learning and dominant narratives. She has worked in public school contexts for over 25 years. Books include The Left Handed Curriculum and The Activists Handbook for the Education Revolution. She has authored or co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles and 20 book chapters.

Still Life 102 with Liz Taft
Days: Fridays
Dates: February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, (no class 3/11), March 18
Time: 10:15AM - 1:15PM
Location: Art Barn Painting Studio
Fee: $60 per class
All students must wear masks. Limited attendance - pre registration required.

This class is about learning to see things simply and translating that into a painting. We will do that by observing a single natural element - a flower, a vegetable, a piece of fruit - and distilling it, seeing its irregularities. We’ll start by drawing the item, sketching its shape/s, creating an interesting composition. That’s the first step in making something you will be pleased with. Once you get the hang of that, we’ll move on to doing a one color study. The last step will be painting with colors. This class is about taking your time to figure out what you are doing by really looking at what is in front of you.

Every week each student will bring in a still life natural object to work with. It can be a single flower, a vegetable, a piece of fruit.

Things to bring:
1. A sketch book and a couple of pencils. I like spiral-bound sketchbooks with a hardcover so I can flip the pages and draw with it easily in my hand.
2. A natural object and a neutral white cloth/sheet/dishtowel to put under it.
3. Paints, palette, brushes, and a surface to paint on.

Students are welcome to use whatever medium they want. I am an oil painter so know less about acrylics and watercolor. We will be using the IQair machine to filter the air in the room and keep any odors to a minimum. Of course we will be wearing masks.

All are welcome. However, this is not an introduction to painting class.