PAPNM Master Signature and Multi Award Winner, Paul Murray has scheduled an October workshop titled

"Color and Composition; Taking Risks”

It will be primarily en plein air and open for pastel, acrylic and oil. The class will be held in the Abiquiu area, including morning and afternoon locations.

The focus of this workshop will cover composition, color and more importantly how color works with light, AND how light works with color! Featuring additional emphasis on catching the moment, and removing the stress about making a finished painting.

Dates for this Workshop are October 16,17 & 18, 2026. Minimum 6, max number of attendees 12.  Cost for this Workshop is $350.00 per person.

(For more information, or to Register, click on the Register here button. PAPNM Members only). 

Register here

 

20260930 Handell Workshops 2.pdf

PAPNM Signature Artist Member

Plein Air Painting in Santa Fe, NM

Dates & Price

10/1/2026 - 10/4/2026
$525.00

Location

Michele Byrne Studio
519 Silva Street
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
United States
https://www.michelebyrne.com/workshops

Contact Info

Michele Byrne
michelebyrne2@gmail.com
6106983372

More Details

Capturing the Effect of Light - Plein Air

FOUR DAY IMMERSIVE WORKSHOP

This will be a PLEIN AIR class

Held outside weather permitting

9 am - 4 pm each day.

Please bring a packed lunch each day, except the last day, when we will go out or order out.

First half day will be in my studio

 

Skill level: All skill levels are welcome.

 

Come paint with me in my favorite plein air locations!

Materials used: Michele will be working in oils, all media accepted.

 

Overview:

Michele will show you how to create a dramatic, light filled painting outdoors. We will travel to Michele's favorite locations near Santa Fe each day.

There are many adobe buildings, landscapes and street scenes that we will incorporate into paintings.

 

Michele will also teach you how to compose your paintings using strong design, correct value, and temperature as well as paint manipulation.

You will start with a small-value Study/Thrust Map for the design and then move on to the canvas. For these studies, you will use 4”x 6” index cards or a SMALL sketch book and learn to create them quickly.

Then you will start your canvas with a strongly designed underpainting and then add the colors with the correct values and color chroma.

 

Michele will do daily morning demonstrations followed by student work time with lots of one-on-one help.

 

It will be a fun and information-packed workshop!

Evening gathering/meals/critiques and discussions on art are also included.

 

Due to space limitations there will be a Maximum of 9 students.

2/18/2026 - 2/20/2026 Capturing the Light of Key West - Plein Air

4/17/2026 - 4/20/2026 Santa Fe - Adding Figures to your Work in a Natural Way

5/27/2026 - 5/31/2026 Palette Knife Techniques with Michele Byrne Hudson Valley, NY

6/20/2026 - 6/27/2026 Modern Impressionist Magazine Workshop Retreat 2026 Loire Valley France Sold Out

Details and Links:

https://www.michelebyrne.com/workshops

4/17/2026 - 4/20/2026

Santa Fe - Adding Figures to your Work in a Natural Way

Dates & Price

4/17/2026 - 4/20/2026
$510.00

Location

Michele Byrne Studio
519 Silva Street
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505

Contact Info:

Michele Byrne
MICHELEBYRNE2@GMAIL.COM

More Details

Skill level: All skill levels are welcome.

This is an INDOOR workshop

https://www.michelebyrne.com/workshop/32929/santa-fe-adding-figures-to-your-work-in-a-natural-way:

Materials used: Michele will be working in oils, acrylic is also accepted.

Overview:

Michele will show you how to add natural-looking figures to your paintings using a palette knife and/or bold brush strokes. She will also teach you how to compose your paintings using strong design, correct value, and temperature as well as paint manipulation.

You will start with a small-value Study/Thrust Map for the design and then move on to the canvas. For these studies, you will use 4”x 6” index cards and learn to create them quickly.

Then you will start your canvas with a strongly designed underpainting and then add the colors with the correct values and color chroma.

Moving on you will finish your piece with thick paint and finally learn paint manipulation to create a powerful and dramatic impressionistic painting full of life and movement.

Michele will do daily morning demonstrations followed by student work time with lots of one-on-one help.

===========================

5/27/2026 - 5/31/2026:

Palette Knife Techniques with Michele Byrne Hudson Valley, NY

Chris Morel 2026 Workshops

For more details visit the Workshop tab on https://morelart.com/

May 18 - 22, 2026. Plein Air Painters of America (PAPA) in Mt. Carmel, Utah, at the historic Maynard Dixon property.

June 19-20, 2026. Plein Air Workshop 2026 in West Stockbridge MA
Sept 22-24, 2026.  Morel Fall Workshop in Taos

Learning the Oil Painting Process

with Cynthia Inson at the NM Art League in Albuquerque

How does an artist transform an initial idea into a successful finished painting? In this eight-week oil painting course, you'll explore each stage of the creative process, from the first spark of inspiration through planning, color studies, and the final painting. Working through composition sketches, value studies, color exploration, and small painted studies, you'll learn to make stronger decisions before committing to a larger work. Along the way, you'll develop a deeper understanding of composition, value, color relationships, and painting techniques while staying true to your original vision. Through demonstrations, discussion, and individual guidance, Cynthia will share her approach to developing paintings thoughtfully and intentionally from beginning to end. Designed for beginning and intermediate oil painters, as well as returning students, this course will help you strengthen your creative process, paint with greater confidence, and produce more intentional, successful work.

8 week class at the New Mexico Art League in Albuquerque with Cynthia Inson

Art Retreat in Portugal with Nancy Bea Miller

September 9-16, 2026

Open to all levels and all mediums. Non-artists also welcome!

4 Rooms Left!!

Paint Away Tours

beatrice@paintawaytours.com

1 (646) 809-4790

For more information or to register, select:

https://www.paintawaytours.com/event/art-retreat-in-portugal-w-nancy-bea-miller-38/register

Oh My Gouache!

Experience the fluidity of watercolor with the rich, velvety finish of oil paint.

Whether you’re new to gouache, paint in watercolor or oils, this class provides a supportive, inspiring environment to develop your skills and creative confidence.

Two Saturdays: August 22 & 29, 2026
Take Class 1 only, or continue to Class 2 (Class 1 required for Class 2)

Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Tuition: $120 (4-hour class; supplies included)

Instructors: Stephanie West & Wendy Ahlm

Payment Link:

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/HU3CBDZTP5YJ6

in joy,

2026 WORKSHOPS

In this fast-paced three-day pastel workshop, Tobi will share her process for creating a dynamic color story utilizing the four elements of contrast.  Students will gain a deeper understanding of color relationships and color values, and see the impact of utilizing this technique in creating a dynamic sky painting.    Tobi has found that by taking the time to create a color story before painting, frustrating errors and color corrections midway through painting occur less often. This process allows the painting to unfold harmoniously and with a sense of relaxation.

Workshop fee is just $375 plus tax. MORE INFORMATION Register NOW!

In this four-day  pastel workshop, Tobi will share many of her techniques for creating  believable clouds and luminous skies.  Students will address the importance of the sky and earth-plane relationship in a composition and learn how to amass and simplify cloud forms and create interest in an otherwise boring sky. You will learn techniques for building layers that create believable stormy clouds instead of lumpy mashed potatoes. Tobi will demonstrate how she uses brushes in how her approach to working with PastelMat paper allows you to paint with a dry medium. There will be a strong emphasis on understanding the importance of color values in creating a color story that will teach color relationships and Value needed to capture the radiance that is so appealing in a sunset.  Tobi believes that one learns best by first observing and then working independently. The first day is spent watching short, detailed explanations and teacher demonstrations. Students will then work on quick corresponding exercises, which integrate the information with hands-on experience and teacher support.  During the following two days, students will work toward completing two paintings, one of stormy clouds and the other of a luminous sunset, both utilizing the concepts introduced on the first day.  The workshop is ideal for pastel students who understand the basics and have worked with pastels for at least a year or more.

Workshop fee is just $400 plus tax. MORE INFORMATION Register NOW!

Exciting News!

I will be presenting on Thursday, June 18th 1-4PM, DM102   Dueling Demos is a fast-paced, action-packed demonstration!  Two artists are paired off to paint from the same photo reference.  There will be four teams of artists participating. Terrilynn Dubrueil has been selected to be my dueling partner, and I'm thrilled! Her exuberant creative energy will make for an action packed duel!

Registration for the IAPS event is now open.   Registration for specific class choices will open on January 19th, 2026. MORE INFORMATION!

PLEASE NOTE! The IAPS organization sadly announced that this will be the last convention.  They decided it is too complicated and expensive to continue hosting this amazing event.  Be sure you don't miss this wonderful gathering of amazing instructors, pastel enthusiasts, and the "candy store" which will have vendors selling the latest pastel materials.  Register now, and be ready to grab the class you are interested in as soon as the website opens in January!   Classes fill up quickly.

It is only when we are no longer fearful  that we can freely create.         J.W. Turner Learning to accept the uncomfortable places we encounter in the creative process allows us to incorporate new information with grace, shift out of fear, and move into a joy-filled process of artistic exploration and expression. New Workshop Added !

This four-day intensive will build a strong foundation of knowledge that will jump-start your exploration of the pastel medium. Students will have the opportunity to experience a variety of pastel materials through hands-on experience.  There will be several short exercises that allow students to work with different pastel brands, understand what makes each unique, and how each feels when applied to different types of paper. This in-depth analysis of materials will help you identify the paper and pastel brands that best suit your painting approach.   Methods for arranging, storing, caring, and transporting pastels will be discussed. Introduction to the importance of composition, big shapes, and color selection will be explored through several quick, fun exercises.   Students will learn the ABCs of design.  Analyze - How to build a strong composition using big shapes and contrast. Build layers - Learn techniques for building layers using the paper and pastels selected as your favorites. Color story - Develop a method for creating a color story that teaches the concept of value and how to see values in color.   The teacher demonstrations will be high-energy and brief, allowing you to spend more time painting. Hands-on exercises will provide the opportunity to experiment and apply the information taught. Two paintings will be completed during the workshop.

Workshop fee is just $400 plus tax.

Painting Adobe: Structure and Composition  Join us for this one OR two-day workshop with master painter Albert Handell and his student of many years, mathematician and artist, Karen Halbert. This is the perfect duo to understanding the different ways artists compose!

For more information or to register for one or both days visit https://www.bluebirdstudiosantafe.com/pop-up-art-classes-with-albert-karen-2026

Composition in Two Unique Ways:
• Intuitive Composition with Albert
• Dynamic Symmetry with Karen


Intuitive Composition with Albert Handell
Day 1: Saturday, August 22, 2026

Albert will lead “How to use Intuitive Composition” pastel workshop (oil and other mediums accepted as well) working from photographs. Albert will demo in pastel with a watercolor underpainting. Albert will be demonstrating a step-by-step painting from 9 a.m. with student painting time from 1 to 4:00 pm. Students will have time to work on their paintings with plenty of individual help at each easel. Students will have an afternoon painting time from 1 to 4:30 pm with plenty of individual help at each easel from Santa Fe’s own legendary artist. 

Supplies: Bring all the supplies you usually use. Bring a plein air easel. If you are flying in we have a few to choose from.

Dynamic Symmetry with Karen Halbert
Day 2: Sunday, August 23

Dynamic Symmetry is a one-day workshop that helps painters recognize how underlying structure supports intuitive composition. Dynamic Symmetry is introduced not as a rigid system, but as a way of understanding relationships painters already respond to intuitively—such as how the canvas rectangle creates movement, how diagonals generate energy and how opposing forces create balance and stability. Using adobe paintings by Albert Handell and selected historic master paintings as examples, participants explore at their tables how a small set of structural ideas can strengthen intuitive choices and provide practical tools they can apply later in the studio or in the field. This workshop will be a combination of lecture, presentations and hands-on learning all under the guidance of Karen.

Karen at the Rose Garden with her new Grid that will be distributed to her workshop attendees (along with other composition goodies):

Lorenzo Chavez, PAPNM Member, 

Fundamentals of Landscape Painting workshop in Cloudcroft New Mexico Next summer July 28-31, 2026/

http://www.cloudcroftart.com/

http://www.lorenzochavezstudio.com/