About this trip
Learn how to get the most of your plein air sketches and turn them into actual paintings in the studio. Emphasis will be on capturing just the most important elements of color, composition and atmosphere in your outdoor sketches and then compiling that information in the studio to create compelling and expressive paintings that don't rely entirely on photographs. The instructor will be using gouache for the sketching portion of the class and oil paint for the final paintings. Students are free to use whatever medium they would like for the studio portion of the class. Pastel, Oil and Acrylic are all good options but gouache would be the recommended sketching medium.
Day One
On location. We will spend at the first day painting on location with our gouache and sketchbooks. The instructor will demo sketching technique in gouache. Students will then spend the rest of the day creating several quick plein air notes and sketches.
Day Two
Studio. We will cover the basics of color and composition as we sort through our sketches from the previous day. Instructor will demo basic composition guidelines in the morning. The afternoon session we will sort through our work to pick the most promising sketches for larger paintings.
Day Three
Studio. We will create and transfer our compositions to the final surface and work on them for the day.
Last Half Day
Review of work and discussion of next steps for taking your work further as well as social media if time permits.
About Eden Compton
American painter Eden Compton was born in Texas and raised in Connecticut. She owns and operates a fine art gallery in the arts district of Saratoga Springs in upstate New York. Her gallery is also a teaching studio where she offers private classes and a variety of workshops in pastel, oil and gouache. Her “Intro to Gouache” workshop is a particularly popular class in the area.
Eden has been involved in art her entire life as her grandparents were well known artists in Texas who kept a studio in Mexico where they were known to paint occasionally with Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Though always an avid sketcher, Eden started painting professionally when she quit her advertising career in New York City and moved to the Caribbean to work as a charter chef on a private boat over 20 years ago. She met her husband Richard in Tortola and together they sailed and ran private sailing charter boats in the Caribbean and Eastern U.S. for many years before moving ashore permanently and settling in upstate NY.
"While my extensive travel has sparked an interest in different types of subject matter ranging from rural landscapes to rainy cityscapes to market scenes, My landscape work is an attempt to synthesize memory painting based on observation with my plein air studies. It begins with sketches and drawings done on location and then completed in the studio where I can spend more time developing the concept of the painting. I am exploring visual expressions of poetic concepts rather than literal interpretations of a scene.”
Her formal art education began with a BA in Art History from Colgate University and independent courses at the International Center for Photography in NYC. She has studied with many master artists in workshops and classes over the years. Her award winning work has been included in national juried shows including the Catherine Lorillard Society, Salmagundi and the International Pastel Society as well as numerous regional and local shows. Her work can be seen in galleries in upstate New York and Boston. She is a juried member of the Degas Pastel Society, Oil Painters of America, Portrait Society of America and an Associate with Distinction of the American Women Artists Association.
Social & Website Links
What’s included
- Workshop Tuition
- Guest RoomsGuest room ammenities include Towels, soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, hair dryers, in room coffeemaker, mini fridge, t.v., internet, lap desks, yoga mats
- Welcome ReceptionLight appetizers and refreshments
- All Meals and SnacksIncludes 4 nights of dinner, lunch and breakfast, daily snack breaks, unlimited coffee, tea & seltzer
- Art SuppliesIf art supplies are included in the price of the retreat, it will show in the description.
- TransportationTaxis and rental cars available at airport. We may be able to pick you up at the airport or train station with prior arrangements.
- Optional ExcusionsSee below for fun and inspiring add-on excursions
- Art SuppliesYour instructor will reach out with details on needed materials and supplies. You can have your supplies shipped directly to us if you do not want to travel with them.
- Travel InsuranceAlthough we do not require trip insurance, we VERY HIGHLY recommend it. Here is a link for purchasing Trip Insurance where you can compare rates and coverage. https://www.travelinsurance.com/
Available Packages
Price is per person. Double Occupancy. You each have your own "sleeping nook" with fun and cozy privacy curtains and your own closet for personal items And your own bathrobe. You share an en-suite bathroom
We assign all students to rooms based on giving everyone a great space. All double occupancy rooms are in the main property
This fee DOES NOT INCLUDE State of Ct Room Occupancy/Sales Tax of 11%.
Here is the breakdown:
Single Room Retreat Fee $1950
Accommodation/Sales Tax 11% $215 This tax will be added onto your final payment invoice
TOTAL Retreat Fee $2165
If you want to save $100 by prepaying in full at time of registration please add code "save100" in the discount window at checkout.
A room all to myself but with a shared bathroom and at The Cardinal House, an 1800's historic Victorian adjacent to The Connecticut River Valley Inn
This fee DOES NOT INCLUDE State of Ct Room Occupancy/Sales Tax of 11%.
Here is the breakdown:
Single Room Retreat Fee $2295
Accommodation/Sales Tax 11% $253 This tax will be added onto your final payment invoice
TOTAL Retreat Fee with tax $2548
If you want to save $100 by prepaying in full at time of registration please add code "save100" in the discount window at checkout.
A room all to myself with my own private en-suite bathroom and balcony in the Main House
This fee DOES NOT INCLUDE State of Ct Room Occupancy/Sales Tax of 11%.
Here is the breakdown:
Single Room Retreat Fee $2650
Accommodation/Sales Tax 11% $292 This tax will be added onto your final payment invoice
TOTAL Retreat Fee $2942
If you want to save $100 by prepaying in full at time of registration please add code "save100" in the discount window at checkout.
For participants who don't need overnight lodging. Price is per person and includes lunch only. Doesn't include 24/7 after hours studio use after end of workshop.
This fee DOES NOT INCLUDE State of Ct Room Occupancy/Sales Tax of 6.45%.
Here is the breakdown:
Single Room Retreat Fee $975
Accommodation/Sales Tax 6.45 $63 This tax will be added onto your final payment invoice
TOTAL Retreat Fee $1038
There are no prepay discounts for the Day Student rate
Do you have a loved one who you want to join you but WILL NOT be taking any classes? Use this add-on. This fee includes everything that the full rate includes EXCEPT for the classroom time.
This fee DOES NOT INCLUDE State of Ct Room Occupancy/Sales Tax of 11%.
Here is the breakdown:
Extra Guest $1200
Accommodation/Sales Tax 11% $132 This tax will be added onto your final payment invoice
TOTAL Retreat Fee $1332
There are no pre-pay discounts for this choice
Available options
Itinerary
5pm Welcome Reception - meet your fellow students reception with appetizers and refreshments.
Room check ins begin at 3pm