Current educational opportunities

Gouache I
Nelia Harper French

Date: Apr 4
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: MacRostie Art Center, Grand Rapids, MN

Learn to paint with gouache. Start the new year off with a day of creativity, exploration and connection. Pronounced ‘gwash’, this versatile medium is similar to watercolor but is more opaque. This medium is great for travel, plein air painting, color studies, nature journaling, and a wide variety of artistic styles. We will practice color mixing and a variety of painting techniques on watercolor paper and illustration board. Includes a short break for lunch. Materials are included. Learn more and register here.

Gouache II
Nelia Harper French

Date: Apr 18
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: MacRostie Art Center, Grand Rapids, MN

Further your knowledge with painting in gouache in this second workshop session. Explore and expand on the painting techniques learned in Gouache 1 and build your skills and confidence in this versatile and portable painting medium. Session includes a short break for lunch. Materials are included. Learn more and register here.

Oil & Acrylic Workshop
Michele Combs

2 Days: Apr 23, Apr 30
Time: 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Minnetonka Center for the Arts

Michele will address the importance of choosing an image, thumbnail, sketches, simplifying composition, underpainting, paint application, focal point, and color. Individualized instruction to strengthen your artistry. Work on one painting in the morning and another in the afternoon to maintain a fresh eye! Learn more and register here.

Oil painting: advancing your skills
Scott Lloyd Anderson

6 Classes: Apr 14 - May 19
Time: Tuesdays,6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Edina Art Center

In this class, Scott works with students on design, brushwork, and understanding color as a value. Students will practice drawing with the brush and explore ways to achieve paintings to be proud of. This is a studio class so students will be working from their own photo reference. Interpreting and editing these references will be emphasized. The class is designed for those who have taken beginning oil painting or have some experience. Students may work with either traditional or water-soluable oil paints. Visit the artist’s website to see more of his work. Register for this course here.

Perspective in a Day: Foundations of Spatial Drawing
Kar-keat chong

1 Day: April 18
Time: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Location: Private Studio, 1729 North 2nd Street Suite 303, Minneapolis, MN 55411

If you’ve ever struggled with perspective drawing in the field, architect and master watercolorist, Kar-Keat Chong, will teach the fundamentals of one-point and two point perspective. He will provide step-by-step instruction and guided exercises to build skills so that by the end of the session, participants will have a solid understanding of perspective principles and the skills to apply them in their own drawings.  Learn more and register here.

Continuing With Oils or Acrylics
Scott Lloyd Anderson

8 Classes: Apr 23 - June 11
Time: Thursdays,1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Minnetonka Center for the Arts

Continue your exploration of oil painting with new challenges designed to improve your ability to interpret your subject. Scott Lloyd Anderson will help students build on basic techniques and develop new skills while painting a variety of subjects. This is a studio class so students will be working from their own photo reference. Interpreting and editing these references will be emphasized. Visit the artist’s website to see more of his work. Register for this course here.

Painting in Pastel: Landscape from Photographs
Lisa Stauffer

4 Days: April 29 - May 1 
Time: Full Day
Location: Grand Marais Art Colony

Bring your pastel landscapes to life through a better understanding of key artistic principles. We'll discuss design and composition, painting fundamentals, the importance of accurate drawing and those valuable tools: color, value, intensity, and temperature, among others. We'll experiment with and have fun exploring a variety of painting approaches. Students will paint from their own photo reference materials, paintings, and field studies. Lisa will lead the class in an exploration of materials, including pastel brands, papers and techniques. Class time will include demonstrations, one-to-one instruction, and group critique. Learn more and register here.

The Art of Seeing: A beginner’s drawing workshop
Kar-keat chong

2 Days: May 2 & May 9
Time: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Location: Private Studio, 1729 North 2nd Street Suite 303, Minneapolis, MN 55411

Learn drawing fundamentals with graphite and colored pencils in this two-day workshop. Participants receive step-by-step guidance and hands-on exercises to draw simple geometric still-life forms while building confidence in line quality and value shading. With supportive in-studio practice, participants will also explore the basics of composition and perspective—gaining essential skills to begin their drawing journey.  Learn more and register here.

Composition and Design for the Landscape
Nelia Harper French

Dates: May 4 - June 1
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: MacRostie Art Center, Grand Rapids, MN

Improve your landscape composition and design in this five-week course. Learn 1) How to make and use thumbnails 2) Elements of composition and design to help you go beyond the rule of thirds 3) How master artists used design in their paintings. The course includes weekly lessons and assignments, along with feedback and the opportunity to ask questions. OPM members get a discount if you use code Compost26!  Learn more and register here.

Fearless Plein Air Painting!
A 4-day Workshop With Mary Pettis

Dates: May 25 - 30
Location: Dillman's Resort, 3305 Sand Lake Lodge Lane, Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538

This studio and plein air workshop by ARC Living Master, Mary Pettis, is open to all artists, but especially designed for those who have a basic knowledge of oil painting and are now ready to move towards more personally expressive and masterful landscapes.  Mary employs proven  plein air techniques from the greatest contemporary schools of thought to help painters open their hearts and minds to their artistic purpose. Embrace the adventure of plein air painting and discover the joy it brings! Register and find more information here.

First Strokes: A Beginner’s Watercolor Workshop
Kar-keat chong

3 Days: June 11 - June 13
Time: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Location: Private Studio, 1729 North 2nd Street Suite 303, Minneapolis, MN 55411

Discover the joy of watercolor as you explore the fundamental techniques of watercolor painting, including brush control, washes, layering, and creating tonal values with a master watercolor artist.

Kar-Keat guides participants throughessential color concepts and the basics of composition and perspective, while painting simple still-life arrangements and scenic studies. Each day builds progressively, with time to practice, experiment, and gain confidence toward a sound foundation in watercolor to continue creating on your own.  Learn more and register here.

Plein Air Painting in Pastel
Lisa Stauffer

5 Days: July 6 - July 10 
Time: 9:30 - 4:30 (time may adjust due to light and weather)
Location: Grand Marais, MN

Paint outside with pastel in beautiful Grand Marais. The basics of outdoor painting will be discussed throughout the week. You will learn to choose your own subject, improve your skills in design, composition and drawing, consider painting fundamentals, and more. Instructor demonstrations, personal assistance at your easel and group critiques will give us a chance to learn as we explore plein air (outdoor) painting in a fun and supportive environment. Do plan to bring all the equipment you will need for your own painting set-up and comfort during our days of painting, watching demonstrations, and enjoying the beauty of Grand Marais and Cook County.

Contact Lisa for registration information or questions: email, phone (please leave a message), or via her website.

Redwoods, Coastline, Canvas, and Cuisine:
A Luxury Plein Air Retreat with Mary Pettis

Dates: Sept. 13 - 18
Location: The Inn at Newport Ranch, 31502 N Highway 1, Fort Bragg, CA

Embrace the adventure and joy of plein air painting with ARC Living Master Mary Pettis immersed in the dramatic beauty of the Mendocino coastline and awe-inspiring redwoods! The Inn at Newport Ranch provides luxury accommodations and gourmet cuisine while students enjoy live demonstrations, personalized one-on-one instruction and thoughtful critiques from Mary Pettis. This exclusive experience is limited to 10 artists. Contact Mercedes via phone or email for more information and registration.

Master the basics: ink & watercolor sketching with kar-keat chong

Dates: Sept. 20 - 25, 2026
Location: Dillman's Resort, 3305 Sand Lake Lodge Lane, Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538

Develop conceptual and practical skills in sketching with ink and watercolor with architect and master watercolor artist, Kar-Keat Chong. Instruction covers basic ink sketching techniques, incorporating watercolor into ink sketches as well as perspective, composition, color concepts and design. Learn more and register here.

Ongoing Classes​

Monthly Intermediate Drawing Class
KARLYN ECKMAN

I have been offering classes since 2017, and cover basic concepts in perspective, foreshortening, value, sight-size drawing, freehand drawing, composition, tree anatomy, and other topics requested by the students. Classes are taught in Saint Anthony Park in a private studio, with frequent outdoor sessions and an occasional museum field visit. Anyone interested can contact me; there are a few OPM'ers in the group. Contact Karlyn via email or phone for more information and registration.

Portrait and Figure Drawing/Painting
OT Artists

Ongoing: Mondays, Wednesdays - 7 pm
Address: Warehouse 2 (ACVR) 4th Floor, 106 Water Street West, St. Paul, Minnnesota 55107

Monday night portrait drawing/painting with clothed model, and Wednesday night figure drawing/painting with nude model. All sessions begin at 7:00pm. Cost is $6/hour for alternating 2 or 3-hour sessions. For more information, visit the OT artists website and/or subscribe to the Life Drawing newsletter.

Color relativity fundamentals
kami mendlik

Ongoing: online course, work at your own pace

Kami Mendlik's comprehensive online course builds a deep understanding of the fundamentals behind creating light, form, and structure in your work. Through easy to follow step-by-step lessons you will learn a clear strategy for painting Color Relativity that you can apply to every painting. Designed for painters who want to build confidence with paint, this course allows you to study online at your own pace—starting today! For more information and to sign up for this course, visit the artist’s websiteand/or send an email to contact Kami directly.