About

This six-day workshop is designed to merge studio skills and practices with the immediacy of painting outdoors. The unique coastal terrain of Cuttyhunk Island is an ideal setting for building on particular demands of landscape painting while discovering and exploring the patterns of nature on the island. We will work on composition and the elements of design, and how knowledge of values can help to create a strong composition. We will explore how understanding the properties of color can help to create convincing space on the two-dimensional surface. Painting sessions will begin with presentations on the various issues, including value studies and limited color paintings. There will be occasional brief demonstrations, with daily critiques. This workshop is open to oil and watercolor painters, but some painting experience is recommended.

Students will work independently, with input from the instructor. We will paint on the wraparound, covered porch overlooking Vineyard Sound. There will be time to wander to look for motifs, and to sketch. The beautiful nature trails and quiet beaches offer ample painting subjects. On Cuttyhunk, one can get lost in the moment and become absorbed in the exciting challenge of painting in nature, leave the house without keys, wallets and phones. In the evening there will be time to enjoy unique island activities, with live music performances, sunset golf cart cruises, stargazing, and bonfires on the beach.

 

Cost

Participants stay at the Avalon Inn (see "Accommodation"). Residency rates are based on whether you choose a private or shared room. The price options below reflect the entire cost of residency including, accommodation at the Avalon Inn, daily workshops, three daily meals prepared by our chefs, and access to Cuttyhunk Island, including use of golf carts.

 

A: $2,100 (Triple room - large room shared with two others) 

B: $2,500 - $2,800 (Double room - shared with one other)

C: $3,300 - $3,600 (Single room - private bedroom)

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Sample Schedule

 

Day 1:

 

10:00am - Arrive to Cuttyhunk!
10:30am - Welcome meeting and introduction on the front porch
11:30am - Tour of the house and grounds
12:30–1:30pm - Lunch
2:00pm - Mini workshop
3:30pm - Tour around the island 

6:00pm - Social “hour” in the living room
6:30pm - Dinner
7:30 pm - Time to sketch / settle in

 

Day 2:

 

7:30am - Coffee and tea

8:00am - Buffet style breakfast

9:30am - Workshop. Making value studies

12:30–1:30pm - Buffet style lunch

2:00pm - Workshop, painting outdoors

6:00pm - Show n tell, social hour

6:30pm - Dinner

8:45pm - Possible night painting!

 

Day 3:

 

7:30am - Coffee and tea

8:00am - Buffet style breakfast

9:30am - Workshop, painting outdoors

12:30–1:30pm - Buffet style lunch

2:00pm - Lecture and demo, afternoon work time 

6:00pm - Show n tell, social hour

6:30pm - Dinner

 

Day 4:

 

7:30am - Coffee and tea

8:00am - Buffet style breakfast

9:30am - Workshop, painting outdoors

12:30–1:30pm - Buffet style lunch

2:00pm - Afternoon work time

6:00pm - Show n tell, social hour

6:30pm - Dinner

7:30pm - Live musical performance

 

Day 5:

 

7:30am - Coffee and tea

10:30am - Brunch

12:00pm - Workshop; painting outdoors

5:30pm - Show n tell, social hour

6:00pm - Dinner

 

Day 6:

 

7:30am - Coffee and tea

8:00am - Buffet style breakfast

9:30am - Workshop, painting outdoors

12:30–1:30pm - Buffet style lunch 

2:00pm - Workshop, painting outdoors

6:00pm - Show n tell, social hour

6:30pm - Dinner

8:00pm - Bonfire on the beach

 

Day 7:

 

7:30am - Coffee and tea

8:00am - Buffet style breakfast

9:00am - Morning work time 

12:30–1:30pm - Buffet style lunch

3:00pm - Prepare paintings to share on the Avalon Porch

5:30pm - Art show and happy hour with the island community

7:30pm - Dinner

 

Day 8:

 

7:30am - Coffee and tea

8:30am - Buffet style breakfast

11:00am - Light lunch

3:00pm - Ferry from Cuttyhunk to New Bedford, farewell!