Swarm 2026 Workshops

Long pose figure drawing session with clothed model and no instruction. Bring your favorite materials and $15 cash for the model.

Participants will explore a pastel watercolor or oil painting beginning with a quick pencil drawing followed by an underpainting to define shapes and value contrasts. They will then learn about pastel techniques as they develop tree landscapes with various techniques and approaches. Participants will be supplied with a list of tools and materials to bring in advance of the session.

Have you ever wondered how to get into the mindset to paint abstract work? Using Acrylics, this workshop guides participants in transitioning from representational painting to abstraction through a structured series of exercises suitable for all skill levels. The instructor covers concepts such as color theory, and composition supported by demonstrations and focused painting exercises. Students will explore a range of abstract approaches, including mark-making techniques, while developing their own artistic voice through a guided practice. This workshop is ideal for those seeking to expand their creative practice and explore abstraction with confidence. Participants will be supplied with a list of tools and materials to bring in advance of the session.

If you have wanted to try your hand at painting a still life using either oil or acrylic paint than this class will provide you with an opportunity to do so. Our subject matter will revolve around the theme of Coffee and Dessert. Students will be provided with both a black and white and color reference photo. The instructor will demo from this photo reference. Concepts covered in this workshop will include; Composition and Design of the page, The importance of value with respect to a defined light source, How to create form using a monochromatic color scheme, How to draw basic geometric forms: Boxes, Cylinders and Spheres, How to use a grid system to aid with drawing and proportion, The importance of a value study using a monochromatic gray scale, Introduction to color terms and color schemes: monochromatic, analogous and complimentary, How to create a sense of depth: Overlapping, change of scale and linear perspective, and Emphasis on composition and design of the page.

A free FALC member meet-up opportunity! Bring a piece you are working on, a beverage or snack, and join members as you work and chat.

This half-day workshop will explore painting reflections on the face. Participants will receive expert guidance from Maureen, she will take her vast portrait painting experience and simplify the subject matter and help you incorporate light and reflections as they touch and illuminate the face. Maureen's works depict rich and colorful representational art. She draws the viewer into the painting, making them want to know more about the subject. This workshop is for beginner level to experienced; Maureen will help you add excitement to your portrait paintings. Participants will be supplied with a list of tools and materials to bring in advance of the session.

Discover the exciting process of creating unique handmade papers and mixed media artwork using recycled National Geographic magazines and CitriSolv ink dissolving techniques. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to use the vibrant imagery and typography from magazine pages to morph the pages into an abstract colorful paper using CitriSolv, a citrus-based cleaner that dissolves printing inks to create rich textures, layered patterns, and unexpected visual effects. Students will explore techniques for selecting images, creating abstract compositions, and incorporating those papers into a mixed media artwork. Through layering, collage, paint, and drawing materials, participants will transform their papers into one-of-a-kind art pieces that celebrate color, texture, and storytelling.

By the end of the workshop, each participant will have:
+ Learned safe and effective CitriSolv image creation techniques
+ Created a collection of abstract transferred papers from National Geographic
magazines (older is better. Pre 2000) Or any high quality Clay based ink magazines.
+ Explored composition, layering, and mixed media methods.
+ Completed an original mixed media artwork incorporating their handmade papers

This workshop is suitable for beginners and experienced artists alike. All materials are provided except paint & drawing implements, and participants are encouraged to experiment, embrace surprises, and discover new ways of transforming printed images into expressive works of art. Participants will be supplied with a list of tools and materials to bring in advance of the session.

Through the course of the day, we will be connecting with nature, writing personal affirmations, designing and casting a talisman in polymer clay, and embellishing a vessel to house them. Material cost for casting materials: $15 to be paid on day of workshop. Participants will be supplied with a list of tools and materials to bring in advance of the session.

Come explore photography as an artform with award-winning fine art and landscape photographer, Chip Freund. We will discuss questions like, when does a photograph become a work of art? and how do we define “fine art photography”, differentiating from other forms of photography? With this foundation and vocabulary in hand, Chip will demonstrate several of the strategies and techniques he uses to make images which fulfill his artistic vision. Following the session, participants will have the opportunity to create their own fine art photographs, share them in a private online photo group and join a workshop reunion video call a month later to share their work in a group critique session hosted by Chip.

Participants will learn how to paint animals using a wipe out approach. This technique can be in preparation for a final painting, or enjoyed as is. This technique includes using limited colors, removing color with paper towels to show light areas, then adding color to achieve darker areas. This is a great way to understand and see your values properly without the confusion of adding lots of colors.... A great approach for beginners or experienced painters in oil. Participants will be supplied with a list of tools and materials to bring in advance of the session.

In this class students have the opportunity to be mentored as they develop portraits of friends and family members using photographs as reference. Students will learn about head proportions and the basics of mixing skin tones. Among the skills we aim to develop are design, composition, methods for transferring images to paper and canvas, and paint application. We will also discuss what constitutes a good photographic reference for drawing and painting. * I will teach in both oils and acrylics. Participants will be supplied with a list of tools and materials to bring in advance of the session.

Rick is known for his control of light, shape, and color, as well as his evocative and
unconventional subjects. With a passion for the unexpected, he often turns to themes rooted in rural, industrial, or artisanal life, capturing quiet interiors, sunlit workshops, and nostalgic fragments of everyday memory with bold composition and atmospheric nuance.
Rick will share his personal approach through demonstrations, guided exercises, one-on-one feedback, and group discussions. He will also be sharing techniques he just recently learned. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to refine your technique, his guidance will open up the endless possibilities of watercolor. His approachable style, insightful demonstrations, and thoughtful critiques create a welcoming environment. Participants will be supplied with a list of tools and materials to bring in advance of the session.

This workshop is designed to teach how to find the story of a location through three simple concepts of storytelling. Character, conflict, setting. By using a cinematic approach to storytelling, participants will learn how creating panels and story boards on location can create dynamic and exciting urban sketching. Participants will be supplied with a list of tools and materials to bring in advance of the session.