Classes and Workshops
2026
Drawing and Painting Botanicals with Elizabeth O'Connell
MAY 19,26, JUN 2,9,16 | 1-4PM
Please join us for this fun, relaxed and step-by-step drawing and painting 5-week class to celebrate the beauty of spring! You will only need to bring yourself, as all materials are included, including a “flower of the week”. Beginners are welcome, as well as experienced artists! For more class details click the link below
Watercolor Batik with Peter Sterling Turner
JUN 18 | 1-4:30PM
Explore the luminous and textured world of Line and Wash Watercolor Batik on Kinwashi Rice Paper. This immersive, hands-on workshop teaches students how to combine bold waterproof marker linework with flowing watercolor washes and layers of wax resist to create uniquely vibrant and textured works. For more class details click the link below
Out on a Limb with Mi Ok Song
JUN 20 | 2-4PM
OUT ON A LIMB : Drawing the Human Figure: Face, Hands & Feet. The human figure is one of art’s greatest challenges — and its greatest rewards. In this focused drawing workshop, instructor Mi Ok guides students through the expressive power of the body’s most demanding details: the face, the hands, and the feet.
Chakra Flow Drawing with Mia de Bethune
JUN 26 | 6:30-8PM
This two-part workshop invites you to slow down, turn inward, and let your body become your muse. Through gentle guided meditation, you’ll explore the chakras — the body’s energy centers — and then bring what you discover to life on paper. The art that emerges is your own unique Chakra Flow Drawing.
Golden Hour Plein Air with Amy Bartlett Wright
JUL 1 | 4:30-8PM & JUL 2 | 5:30-8PM
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 guidance from your instructor. For more class details click the link below
The Bigger Picture with Lisa Daria Kennedy
JUL 7 & 8| 10AM-4PM
This two-day workshop combines demos, in-class assignments and individual instruction to teach students the techniques to create fresh, deliberate marks on a big canvas. Using observational painting as our launching point (we’ll start with/observational but deviate from it), we’ll embark each day with energetic painting exercises designed to tap into each participant’s personal voice.
Sketching and Painting Animals from Life with Alison Nicholls
JUL 15, 16, 17
Last year’s workshop with Alison Nicholls in support of West Place Animal Sanctuary was a runaway success. West Place once again welcomes us to sketch and paint and fall in love with their residents. You’ll learn to sketch animals in their natural environment — grazing, frolicking, stealing your drawing pencil, nibbling on your sun hat …
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 at the Guild and afternoon at West Place Animal Sanctuary.
Day 2 9AM-4PM: morning at West Place Animal Sanctuary and afternoon at the Guild.
Day 3 9AM-NOON: morning at the Guild.
Tuition fee includes a $50 donation to West Place Animal Sanctuary.
Painting Outside with Sam & Bill
SEP 8, 9, & 10 | 9:00AM–4:30PM
The Portsmouth Arts Guild is proud to offer another plein air workshop with this wildly popular duo. Join us as Sam & Bill teach as they entertain. Both oil and watercolor artists will enjoy three full days of plein air painting and guidance. All levels are welcome, but you should have some plein air experience under your belt. This is a very popular class so sign up soon!
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.