July 2016 – Hudson River Valley Art Workshops

Pastel Figures with Margaret Dyer

July 26, 2016

“Wonderful experience! Great instructor, great participants, and great setting!” – Pat R.

Margaret Dyer was here teaching her first 5 day pastel figures workshop with us. Margaret has been teaching here for many years and is always a popular instructor, but to this point had always taught in a 3-day format. Everyone enjoy having Margaret for a full week! The class worked with models on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, they worked from photographs taken during a special photo-shoot with the models at the end of class on Monday. Here is everyone taking their turns shoot photos of the two models in various set ups around the front parlor of the inn. Here you can see the two models in kimonos posing on the antique furniture. Now the work begins, first with a background, then sketching in the shapes.

The weather was so beautiful (and the studio so full of easels) that we decided to have our “coming attractions” (workshops for the rest of 2016 and also a preview of 2017) presentation on the front porch of the inn after dinner.

Portraits in Watercolor with Ted Nuttall

July 18, 2016

“Ted Nuttall was an excellent instructor. Clear explanations and private attention for each student. I enjoyed every aspect of this class. I learned a lot about art and about watercolor painting.” – Ronnie H

We just finished a wonderful week with watercolor artist, Ted Nuttall, who was teaching his watercolor portraits workshop.
This is one of Ted’s demo paintings.
Ted provided lots of one-on-one time with each student.
This is another of Ted’s paintings. I just love the look in these eyes.
Everyone once in a while it’s a good idea to take a break from painting and let your mind wander while doing a little knitting.

Conservations at dinner were always lively. Chef Mark is either talking about the menu for the night or counting Scrabble points (more about this later)!
Here is the happy group posed on the back steps to the main inn.
After dinner every night of the workshop, Scrabble was king. Three of the students, plus chef Mark gathered in the parlor or the front dining room to play Scrabble. There was much discussion about “acceptable words.”
I’ll give you one guess who put the word “Barfy” down there. Could be the guy in the chef coat who has the two big dogs who like to eat all the fresh cut grass clumps and then get a little “barfy!”

Field Sketch to Dynamic Studio Paintings with John MacDonald

July 11, 2016

“John is an excellent instructor, balancing lectures & demonstrations perfectly. Very knowledgeable & experienced.” – Susan K.

John MacDonald was here to teach an intense 3-day workshop covering the process of using photographs, sketches, and plein aire studies to great larger scale painting in the studio. It was a great group and the 3 days passed much too quickly. Luckily John will be returning next year to teach a 5-day workshop in October. A number of this years students signed up for it before they left!

The dining room set and waiting for the nightly gathering for delicious food and lively conversation.

Sketching and Painting Animals with Joe Weatherly

July 6, 2016

Joe Weatherly, the renown animal artist from Southern California, returned to teach a workshop for us this past week. The group enjoyed some gorgeous summer weather, great food, and lots of front porch comraderie after class with some cold beers and wine. The first day was spent in the studio learning about basic structure, movement, and gesture. Then for the next two days the group went to the Discovery Zoo in Catskill, NY for a variety of animal subjects. The group also went to the K & K Equestrian Center for some farm animal subjects. The first three paintings below are some of Joe’s demo paintings. Then a couple of animal structure sketches.

This year’s dinner menu theme is “Best Of” as suggested by the students who have come to the workshops over the past 11 years. One of the dishes submitted as a favorite was the Lion’s Head Meatball from last year. It is a tender pork meatball Shanghi-style, served with baby bok choy and rice noodles. Freshly made vegetable spring rolls are also served, filled with mushrooms, carrots, and bean sprouts. (We very happy accommodate dietary restrictions. So if there is a particular thing that you do not eat, let us know when you sign up and we will prepare a delicious alternate!)

Picnicking at the Discovery Zoo.

At the K & K Equestrian Center.

Lots of easels, but where are all the painters? Having a picnic lunch at K & K! Such a beautiful setting.