Private Study for the Experienced Painter

Do you consider yourself a landscape painter with some experience but feel you aren’t improving? Then this program is for you! I invite you to join me in a one-on-one experience in my New Mexico studio and in the field where I’ll work with you to improve your skill. After a preliminary consultation, I’ll create a custom program to bring your craft to the next level.

Schedule

Contact me to talk about possibilities!    Length of the program can be anywhere from 1 to 5 days @ $200/day.

Best times for visiting New Mexico:  September, October, November; April, May.

Payment Details

• • Cost of the private study is USD $200/day, from 1 to 5 days.  Each day is a half-day.
  • Half payment required at signup. Payment is non-refundable unless your reserved place can be filled by another participant.
  • Payment may be made by check or Zelle.

FAQ

1. What’s the Private Study program Like?

Based in northern New Mexico at my winter studio, this program is for experienced painters only. After a preliminary consultation to create a custom program, you’ll work with me side-by-side, one-on-one, both in the field and in the studio.

This is not a program for people with mobility issues. You will need to be able to walk a distance (usually much less than a quarter-mile) on sometimes-uneven ground with your equipment and carry your own gear. There may not be picnic tables or benches available, so if you need a seat or a table, you should consider bringing your own. Make sure your wear sturdy shoes; sandals are unsafe. Restrooms may not always be nearby. Studio is on the second floor, so you will need to handle stairs.

This is not a program for beginning painters, or for painters trying to learn a new medium.  As mentioned elsewhere, I work in oil, pastel and gouache–all plein air with limited studio time to address issues encountered while painting outdoors or to create studio paintings based on plein air references.  I work in a traditional oil method–direct painting, alla prima–and the same with pastel.  My gouache technique is different from that of most gouache artists; I work with gouache more like watercolor, transparently, saving thicker, more opaque passages for the end.  If you are expecting to work in gouache as if it were a medium only to be thickly applied, this is not a program for you.

The ideal candidate for this program is a serious and experienced student of painting. You should be comfortable with your chosen medium, materials and gear such that you can paint on your own; part of the program will involve periods of independent activity in which I give you assignments that I will later critique.

2. Can I bring a friend or spouse?

Friends or spouses are welcome to join us in the field but not in the studio.

3. Do I need a car?

Yes, you will need a car, as you may wish to explore on your own, especially with assignments. The studio is a little over 2 hours by car from the Albuquerque Sunport (ABQ.) On the drive from Albuquerque, there are many things to see, and you may want to explore the area.

4. What about travelling with paints?

Oil paints you can either ship ahead or put in your checked luggage. You shouldn’t have any problem with them, since they are “artist’s oil colors” made with vegetable oil and have a very high flash point. However, don’t take mediums (e.g. Galkyd) or solvents (e.g. Gamsol), all of which are highly flammable. These you will need to ship ahead. There are no art supply stores nearby. The closest is in Albuquerque. (I will have some Gamsol on hand if you need it.)

Pastels you should take in your carry-on luggage. Put them in a container that will be easy for security to open. Make sure the container can be easily secured again so your pastels don’t go spilling down the aisle.

If you need to ship your materials ahead, you are welcome to. Let me know, and I will provide the shipping address.

5. What’s the weather like?

This program runs September into November and April/May.  During the fall sessions, the weather is generally warm and pleasant with cool and possibly cold nights.  Even in November, with sun it will most likely be very comfortable with layers. Still, I recommend a warm hat and gloves. We do have a studio if it is too cold, but we will aim to get out to at least gather reference material. During the spring sessions, weather can be more unpredictable; we have had snow in April.  Mornings might be cold, especially in April, but May is usually warmer.  Again, layers!

The studio sits at 7000 feet.  This is considered high elevation. Most people have no trouble with the elevation other than being a little short of breath when hiking. This soon passes after a day or two. However, if you have heart issues, please consult your doctor first.

6. What if I’m not doing oil or pastel but using some other medium?

I work in oil, pastel and gouache. Because of the nature of the workshop, I won’t teach any other medium.  See above for my note on gouache.

7. What about lodging and meals?

You are responsible for your own meals and for lodging.  There are several places nearby to stay in.

Otherwise, there is plenty of lodging nearby. Here are some suggestions on AirBnB:

• • • Wild Sheep Place – 5 miles from studio – beautifully scenic location, accessed off Togeye Canyon Road which can be rugged (and it is dirt, so you may want 4WD vehicle)
    • Quiet Retreat in Beautiful Ramah Valley – 0.5 mile from studio – right in town
    • Nizhoni Cabin – Secluded luxury – in the Timberlake subdivision, about 20 minutes from the studio
    • Guest cottage along the Ancient Way – about 5 minutes from the studio, just outside town

The following are a bit further afield:

• • • El Morro RV Park – www.elmorro-nm.com – 13 miles from studio – RV parking as well as cute cabins to rent, near El Morro National Monument, plus restaurant on premises
    • Mountain Harmony Retreat – www.mountainharmonyretreat.com – 16 miles from the studio – RVs to rent for glamping! Plus RV parking and a restaurant on premises and B&B
    • The Inn at Halona – www.halona.com – 23 miles from studio – in the center of Zuni Pueblo
    • Cimarron Rose B&B – www.cimarronrose.com – 29 miles from studio – near the Continental Divide

8. What’s the daily schedule?

Each day will consist of a half-day (4 hours) working with me one-on-one plus appropriate assignments on your own for the rest of the day (you would have access to me during the non-program time for consultation); depending on the situation, some days may be full days as field trips to more distant locations.

9. Can I get wi-fi access?

Yes! The studio has wi-fi as well as cell service. (T-Mobile works best.) Outside of town, however, cell service may be spotty. There is no landline at the studio.

10. What should I expect?

Read the program description carefully, and if you have specific questions or concerns, please ask.

11. Where can I get more information about the New Mexico area?

Nearby are the Zuni Pueblo, El Morro and El Malpais National Monuments, Ancient Way Cafe, the Old School Gallery and the Bandera Ice Caves.  Here’s a really good website with lots of information about the area: www.NewMexicoNomad.com

12. What’s a good way to prepare for the program?

I will customize the one-on-one private study with you and give you recommendations to prepare. Best, of course, is to keep painting! And to think about what you would like to accomplish in your week.

I also would like to schedule a 40-minute Zoom session with you prior to your arrival. 

13. What about bad weather days?

We have a great studio to work in.

14. Can I get a supply list?

For retreats, I doesn’t require participants to bring anything other than what they usually take for plein air painting.  However, here is his basic list for oil and pastel.  Contact me for a gouache supply list.