Paul’s Workshops

Paul has been presenting workshops and classes for the past 30+ years in a variety of locations and venues. He has traveled to Chatham MA on Cape Cod, Englewood FL, Mt. Vernon IL and New Cumberland PA to name a few. Each summer, he teaches a variety of classes in Clayton NY at the Thousand Islands Art Center.  Open to all skill levels, the workshops are either theme oriented, meaning they focus on painting a specific subject such as barns or streams. Other sessions are broken down into smaller, less daunting projects as painting a tree, rocks in water or snow, reflections, or other subjects. In all his teachings, Paul emphasizes shape texture and edges. “Nothing we paint or draw is the real thing. We are “symbolizing” what we see as soon as we begin to graphically represent it on paper.” Paul explains what these terms mean and how they interrelate when making a painting.

Drawing and planning are essential components of preparing to paint especially in watercolor. Good planning alleviates the frustrations encountered when a painting gets to a point of confusion. Not having a good plan or “roadmap” through the journey will force you off track and probably stall your progress as you can become bored.  Paul shows you how to set yourself up for success and keep moving.  Paul demonstrates in every workshop. After a bit of “in your head” lecture as he calls it, he will put what he says into action on paper with the brush. It will all make sense when you see him work and hear him explain what he’s doing. Then, you get to try what you have just seen Paul do. He won’t leave you hanging. He will come around to each student and spend some time re-enforcing his lesson.

The only difference between his theme class and the simplified version is the full demonstration of a painting from the drawing to completion. Paul will explain in detail how he developed the idea or what motivated him to do this painting.  Watch him draw the outline on his paper from his plan and then shape by shape, fill in the parts until the painting is finished. The demo usually fills the morning hours of a class day, a break for lunch and then the afternoon is time for the students to work. There is an evaluation (we don’t say ‘critique” in his classes) session for the works in progress or completed close to the end of the day. Paul’s painting is also evaluated.

If you are participating in a multiple day workshop, each day presents a new demonstration and builds on the previous day’s work.  The schedule is the same, opening with a morning demo, lunch, then student time to work followed by the evaluation. Most of the multiple workshops are three days but five days would be the maximum. If your group is looking for watercolor workshops, Paul is available to travel to your area for one-, two- or three-day workshops. The best way to reach him is via the contact form on this site.

Paul holds weekly classes in Rochester on Fridays from 9:30 am-12:30 pm and occasional Saturdays in the same timeframe. There is a materials list in the Info drop down menu for your reference. You can find the weekly schedule in the right margin under Workshops and Classes. He is available to travel to your area to present a one day or three day workshop. To receive a full color brochure about the workshops, please email Paul via the contact form. Future remote area classes are posted on the Classes and Workshops page as they become available.

Thank you.