Essential Concepts in Painting
“A man paints with his brains, not his hands.” – Michelangelo
It's how you think about painting that makes you a better painter. Through the subjects of still life and the Italian landscape, this workshop explores what to consider before you begin a painting, how to simplify, how to create a focal point, how to drive the viewer to the focal point through composition, how to create color harmony, how to add energy and flow through brushwork and edges and when to diverge from reality for the sake of the painting.
Montorno is a tried and true venue designed for painters -- there is a large painting studio, our hosts, Alessandro and Francesca, are warm and friendly and the fresh, local food is spectacular. Trisha has studied and taught painting extensively and has organized the concepts so they are easily grasped. Trisha's experience as a professional presenter and software trainer carries over to the painting workshops she gives. The schedule is designed to be intensive and relaxing with a chance to see and experience real Italy and walk away with improved painting skills.
In this information-packed, 13-day workshop in sunny Italy, Trisha shows you how to go beyond just rendering an object and instead create compelling paintings which dazzle and excite.
You will learn --
- how to think and see like an artist
- how to get exciting color
- how to paint more loosely
- how to analyze a painting that isn't working and fix it
- how to make your painting more dramatic
The workshop includes illustrated lectures, demonstrations, group and individual instruction, as well as plenty of time to paint and commit the ideas to heart.
The workshop balances intense study with relaxation. Write in your journal, sip coffee or explore the village in the morning before the painting day begins at 10 am. New ideas are presented in the morning while you are fresh and you dive right into painting. Around 1 pm, the aroma of the midday meal, freshly-prepared with local ingredients calls us away. We return to our easels refreshed and work another 3 or 4 hours before retiring to the terrace for drinks in anticipation of the evening meal.
After four days of painting instruction, you'll be ready for two free days in which to explore neighboring sites such as the walled city of Lucca, the five picturesque villages of Cinque Terra or the Mediterranean resort town of Forte dei Marmi. You return rejuvenated and ready for the new challenges of the next four days such as creating distance in landscapes and working with the changing light of street scenes. The last full day of the workshop is a field trip to visit the internationally renowned sculpting and mosaic studios in Pietrasanta.
You are invited to participate in a gallery exhibit featuring the artwork of Montorno at ArtSpace Herndon this November.
Unique to this workshop, Trisha will mentor interested participants on subjects ranging from creating a signature style to pricing to working with galleries.
To secure one of the remaining spots in this workshop, call Judy Morse and pay the $600 deposit by credit card -- 703-624-5396.
To learn more, visit www.montorno.com
Here's what others have to say about Trisha’s instruction —
"Not only is Trisha an accomplished artist who creates works of amazing beauty and color, she is also a talented and effective teacher. She is knowledgeable and communicates that knowledge both in a 'cerebral' and in a 'hands on' manner – which is key to maximizing the learning experience. She has tunneled through mountains of "how-to" and come through with a beautiful signature style. I am fortunate to study with Trisha and have benefited from her engaging and constructive style."
— Cheryl C.
“Last weekend I took Trisha Adam's workshop. This was a treat as she doesn't teach often. I love her loose impressionistic style and thought I would learn from the master. It was one of the best workshops I've ever taken. She provided two superb powerpoint presentations, one on composition and one on color. They were so good and provided such a great foundation, I recommend her workshops to any artist. Many principles she discussed I plum forgot or never knew.”
— Vicki B.
“I knew the minute I walked into the "classroom" that the workshop was going to be fabulous. Everything was totally organized. I was completely amazed — you had the still life set-ups arranged, the easels were set up for us, and the chairs were arranged. The PowerPoint presentation was the core of the Color Workshop and I know it improved the work of all of the students in the class. You were very patient in presenting the material in a very clear and concise manner and I could not have had the success I did in the class without it. I just hope that I can retain all that I learned. I liked the review the second day because it made us focus and really think about what you were trying to teach us. Your demo was inspiring. I can only hope to see and paint the colors you wanted us to "see" and "learn." I'm keeping that colorwheel handy for sure. Your workshop was by far the Best I have ever taken! Thank you. Keep me on your mailing list!”
-- Kathie R.
“Oh my gosh, that workshop was AMAZING. Thank YOU! I felt so lucky to learn so much this weekend. Your style takes my breath away, and you are a GREAT teacher.”
-- Tiffany Y.
“Thank you so very much for the well planned and delivered painting class. You inspired me and taught me so much. I was just so thrilled to learn all of the neat things that you taught us. I just had a wonderful time too. I can’t wait to start my next painting to practice all of the color techniques!!”
-- Caroline N.
“Trisha, thank you so much for conducting such a wonderful, informative, and inspiring workshop. I had a perfect weekend.”
-- C. G.
“Let me join in with grateful words for this past weekend. I cannot imagine anyone leaving ArtSpace without more enthusiasm and encouragement for the brush and palette and heading back to their own canvases and studio space renewed. I am so happy to have shared the joy and the privilege of attending a Trisha Adams workshop. Now to paint and forcibly think about the light and the shadows.”
-- Betty W.
"It was such a great workshop! It has changed many things for me." -- Donna R. (NC)
"Just wanted to tell you how much I really enjoyed your easy and relaxed teaching style. It was a really good fit for me. Not all great painters are good teachers -- but you are both. A few of us got together yesterday to paint and we were all saying how much we enjoyed your workshop. I painted a pretty good one and just kept evaluating the color spots that I was seeing like you taught us and placing them in. I am thinking that maybe (hopefully) I had a breakthrough. Thanks so much." -- Martha L.
"My paintings have changed so much since taking your workshop! It's like waking up, brightening my canvas!" -- Melissa S.
“The best workshop I have ever taken!”
— Donna R. (VA)
