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Historic Composition Grids, Demystified: Practical Tools for Stronger Art with Cynthia Inson (Thursdays) Beginning 9/4

Ready to stretch your skills, discover something new, and tap into techniques used by artists and architects since ancient times? This hands-on class is a journey through time-tested compositional tools made approachable, practical, and fun. You’ll explore four powerful historical grids: Harmonic Armature, Square Grid, Dynamic Symmetry, and Whirling Squares (also known as the Fibonacci Sequence). These design systems have shaped works from ancient Greece to the Renaissance, Impressionism, and beyond and they’re still relevant today. Through guided instruction and painting exercises (in gouache, watercolor, or oil), you'll learn how to build and apply each grid in your own work no complicated math required. The ratios are built in, and I'll share everything you need to recreate and expand these tools on your own. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced painter looking for a creative challenge, this class is accessible, thought-provoking, and sure to deepen your understanding of visual design. Come ready to experiment, practice, and grow your art!

For more information or to register, visit: https://newmexicoartleague.org/event-6250656

Scroll down for addendum, with new information posted frequently.

What’s a “pop-up” and why?

• Short and sweet (one or two day workshops)

• Scaled down version of my regular workshops

• Affordable to include more students

• Less time commitment for working people

• Features local Santa Fe artists!

https://www.alberthandellstudio.com/

Saturday, Aug. 23: Albert will lead “How to use Intuitive Composition for Painting Trees” pastel workshop working from photographs.  Albert will demo in pastel with a watercolor underpainting.  Albert will be demonstrating a step-by-step painting of his famous trees. ALL mediums are welcome!

http://www.karenhalbert.com

Sunday, August 24: Karen will cover the use of Dynamic Symmetry and other composition armatures in a wide range of master paintings, including many from Albert’s works and also iconic paintings of trees by master artists of the past. Time for hands-on exploration of different composition tools and guidelines will be provided. New material will be presented from years’ past.

This workshop sold out last year and is already filling fast! Grab a spot while you can!

For more information or to register, select:

https://www.bluebirdstudiosantafe.com/2025-pop-up-art-classes

Addendum: From Karen. "Dynamic Symmetry has so much history. It's been fascinating to read how different artists have used Dynamic Symmetry (and other armatures). It will be fun to share with my students my time-travels to an era over a century ago, back to the east to my previous homes in Woodstock, NY and Manhattan,  dropping in on George Bellows, Robert Henri, Ross Denman, Georgia O'Keeffe, and many more artists over the decades since then. There's so much to learn from them."

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Workshops by PAPNM Members: Michelle Chrisman and Dick Wimberly

For more information or to register, Select:

Michelle Christian June 3- 6:

 https://www.newmexicoartleague.org/event-6141875

Dick Wimberly June 16-19:

https://www.newmexicoartleague.org/event-6166386

FLYERS:

or for printing: Contemporary Still Life with Michelle Chrisman.pdf

And Dick's Info:

Clouds and Skies: Mastering Light and Atmosphere in Landscape Paintings with Dick Wimberly (Monday through Thursday)

Materials List for Painting Clouds and Sky in the Landscape. dick wimberly.pdf

PAPNM Member, Beth Cooper, founded and runs the Bluebird Studio*. PAPNM Members listed this year as instructors include Natasha Isenhour, Albert Handell and Karen Halbert. Harriet Huff also gave a popup 1-day workshop on Tempura!!

For more information select:

https://www.bluebirdstudiosantafe.com/2025-workshops

*The Bluebird Studio is an official Sponsor of the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico. 

Visit https://www.billgallen.com/painting-in-italy-2025 for details.

Adding Figures to your Work in a Natural Way

Dates & Price

4/23/2025 - 4/26/2025
$510.00

Location

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

Contact Info

Michele Byrne
MICHELEBYRNE2@GMAIL.COM
610-698-3372

More Details

Skill level: All skill levels are welcome.

This is an INDOOR workshop

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.

 

DAY 1 – In the morning there will be a slide presentation on Michele’s design process. In the afternoon you will paint from live models, painting 5 to 10-minute studies and wiping them off. This will help you gain confidence in creating believable body language for your subjects. In the afternoon you will learn to design your paintings using the value study.

DAY 2 – A morning demonstration on creating a value study and starting an underpainting. You’ll design your own piece and start your underpainting in the afternoon. Please bring your own photos with a figure or two, or use some that I will supply.

DAY 3 – A morning demonstration followed by student painting time.

DAY 4 – A morning demonstration on painting figures in motion using paint manipulation, followed by student painting time.

This will be an indoor class working from photos.

It will be a fun and information-packed workshop!

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

Make It, Take It: Craft Your Own Art Journal Masterpiece!
04/12/25, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Learn how to create your own accordion-fold (concertina) sketchbook, perfect for showcasing your artistic adventures! Whether you enjoy pencil, ink, acrylics, collage, or watercolors, this workshop will guide you through using mixed media to fill your pages with creativity.

But that’s not all — you’ll also discover how to elevate your personal experiences, travels, and stories. Bring along a poem or memorabilia such as stickers, tickets, receipts, flyers, and photos to turn your sketchbook into a one-of-a-kind keepsake.

Come get crafty and leave with a beautifully personalized sketchbook full of your own memories and artwork!
Learn More (https://www.calendar.artisansantafe.com/events/make-it-take-it-craft-your-own-art-journal-masterpiece/)