Life & Depth: Making the most of Your Photographic Reference with Natasha Isenhour

August 31, 2026: 1/2 day 2:30 to 5 p.m. (Happy Hour after)
Sept. 1 - 3, 2026: Full days 9 - 4
Sept.4, 2026: 1/2 day 9 a.m. to Noon

Materials: All mediums accepted
Skill level: Experienced Beginners and Up

www.natashaisenhour.com

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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/

For more information visit: 

https://www.alberthandellstudio.com/workshops

Here is a photo of me and my current 40" x 60"work in progress. FYI, I will be presenting a three-day oil and acrylic workshop title Painting the Big Sky at Masterworks of New Mexico 2026. The workshop begins March 31. Cost is $285 for members of Rio Grande Art Association and $310 for non members. For details and to register go to https://www.rgaanm.org, or visit my website www.tomblazier.com

Painting Skies In Landscapes

Jan and Feb 2026, Tuesdays, 1-4

by Dick Wimberly

For information or to register: https://newmexicoartleague.org/event-6407266

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. 2026 WORKSHOPS

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.  MORE INFORMATION Register NOW!

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.

PAPNM Signature Artist Member

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.

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

2/18/2026 - 2/20/2026:

CAPTURING THE LIGHT OF KEY WEST - PLEIN AIR

Read More

5/27/2026 - 5/31/2026:

Palette Knife Techniques with Michele Byrne

To download: 

Kroll Nov 7 Workshop.jpg

To download: 

2025 Nov 22 Kroll Workshop.jpg

October Plein Air Workshop with Tom Blazier

Landscape artist Tom Blazier will lead a three-day plein air workshop When Less Is More — The Art of Simplifying the Landscape for oil and acrylic artists. Sessions will cover distilling the visual complexity of nature to a few compositional choices, use of a limited palette and an economy of brushstrokes. Ultimately the intent is to compose the subject toward an aesthetically pleasing result — all while having fun!!. It is advised that students have a grasp of art composition/ fundamentals and experience working with their preferred medium. Each student will receive individual attention from the instructor. Former and advanced students may wish to work on special projects and should contact Tom prior to the workshop to discuss. 

What: When Less Is More plein air painting workshop with Tom Blazier

When: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Tuesday, Oct. 14 - Thursday, Oct. 16

Where: TBD outdoor locations in the Sandia foothills area of Albuquerque.

Cost: $376.70 (includes tax)

For questions or to request a registration form and materials list, contact Tom at tblazier@hotmail.com, or call 505-323-2246

See more information about Tom Blazier's art on the website www.tomblazier.com.

(new) August 2025 Newsletter from Michele:

 20261231 Gmail Michele Byrne- Back in Santa Fe _ and Feeling Inspired.pdf

Plein Air Painting in Santa Fe, NM

Dates & Price

9/18/2025 - 9/21/2025
$510.00

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

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.

Please email with any questions: michele@michelebyrne.com