Welcome to the Portsmouth Arts Guild

In this workshop, students will learn to better master colored pencils with techniques for layering, blending colors and burnishing techniques. We will learn about the principles needed for working skillfully with colored pencils such as selecting and layering, burnishing, blending, creating rich darks and vibrant colors. Also work with values, creating texture and using different paper surfaces as well as learning how to compose and create more interesting compositions in our work.

All levels of skill are welcome, some prior drawing experience is recommended.

Join us for “The Golden Hour” paint from life this summer. We wait all year for warm summer nights with cool ocean breezes. Aquidneck Island summer sunsets are magical and fleeting! Capture the glow and changing light of land and water from life this summer with expert guidance from Amy Bartlett Wright.

We begin the first day at the Guild before driving to our first location, with a short talk about plein air painting that includes examples by well known painters. We discuss key features of fast painting including simplification of shapes, color and value.

On location, we first analyze our scene with a plan for shapes, color and value, then we apply the paint. Expression is welcome as we let bold colors in the landscape ring true in our palette, then our canvas.

Any medium, any level, though some painting experience is advised. Participants will need a plein air set-up.

In this unique workshop you will divide your time between sketching animals at West Place Animal Sanctuary, and painting at the Guild. Professional wildlife artist Alison Nicholls has been teaching her sketching and watercolor techniques on African Art Safaris since 2011. In this workshop she will demonstrate how to quickly and accurately sketch animals, and how to use your sketches to create expressive paintings.

Day 1 9AM-4PM: morning practicing sketching at the Guild, afternoon at West Place Animal Sanctuary for live sketching.

Day 2 9AM-4PM: morning sketching at West Place Animal Sanctuary, afternoon at the Guild for a watercolor demo and begin a painting based on your sketches.

Day 3 9AM-NOON: morning at the Guild continuing to work on your paintings.

Tuition fee includes a $24 donation to the Animal Sanctuary.