Classes and Workshops
Spring & Summer 2025
Painting Outside with Bill Lane and Sam Allerton Green
OCT 1 & 2 | 9AM-4PM
This fall enjoy 2 days of plein air painting on (or near) gorgeous Aquidneck Island with Bill and Sam.
Each day will start at 9am sharp with an on-site demo at the designated location. Bill and Sam will paint the same scene; Sam with oils and Bill with watercolors. They will talk about the chosen scene and why, how they plan the composition and determine the values. After which you’ll head off to paint at a nearby location of your choice. Bill and Sam will walk around providing individual attention throughout the day. We’ll have an informal group crit on location around 3:30pm and wrap up around 4pm.
Locations will be announced prior to each day and maps will be provided.
Special Effects in Still Life with Judy Vilmain
OCT 14 & 15 | 9AM-3PM
Glass, Water, Silver, Metal: Learn to render these important special effects in your still-life paintings. In this 2-day workshop Judy will share her recipes — step-by-step formulas for creating the illusion of various surfaces in your paintings so you don't have to reinvent the wheel every time. There will be demos and plenty of practice time.
Don't miss this sure-to-sell-out workshop with one of the Guild's favorite instructors.
Demystifying Oil Painting with Paul Olson
OCT 22, 29 | 9AM-12PM
Held on two Wednesday mornings. This workshop is designed to make the rich tradition of oil painting more approachable. In the first session we’ll cover core fundamentals of the medium. Participants will start a still life painting from direct observation, learning how to build form, value, and color directly on the canvas.
In the second session we’ll focus on the classic oil painting technique of glazing—the process of applying thin, transparent layers of paint over a dried surface to enrich color and create luminous depth. Participants will return to their still life paintings, continuing to develop them on the now-dry surface using this layered approach.
Classes and Workshops FAQs
All classes and workshops will be paid in full at time of registration.
What if I need to cancel or change my workshop?
Cancelling your class registration more than 7 days prior to the class will result in a full refund less the credit card fees if you paid by credit card.
Cancellation within 7 days of a workshop start date results in the full loss of tuition.
In the case that I am unable to attend a workshop, can I give my space to a friend?
Yes, though we ask that you please let us know if someone else will be taking your place in a workshop.
I can’t make all the days of the workshop; can I still take it?
In most cases, students can take part of a workshop, though you should let us know so we can check with the teaching artist. In general, workshops are not pro-rated if you are unable to attend the entire session.
What if PAG cancels a workshop?
In the event of under-enrollment, extreme weather, or other unforeseen incidents, the Portsmouth Arts Guild may cancel a scheduled workshop or class.
If an entire workshop is cancelled due to under-enrollment, tuition will be refunded in full. If a single session of a workshop is cancelled, and we are unable to make up the class on another date, a pro-rated tuition refund will be issued.