workshops
Special Saturdays/Sundays
in the studio – or online – to explore new aspects of painting
A day with watercolor – With other creators who are equally obsessed with the purity of pigment on paper, the washiness of watery paint.
Tucked away in the studio, free from all else that keeps you from painting.
These Saturdays are for those of you who want to focus on something else, something new, following the Color Workshops and Watercolor Basics and Beyond.
They are also for those who have a handle on how this watercolor thing works (enough) and want to expand your experience and skills, and inspire your creative self.
The first part of each day is enrichment – some of my thoughts, possibly a slide show to stimulate your vision and/or a short exercise.
A big chunk of the day is spent painting your painting – on a subject of your choosing. Along the way, you pull what you need from me. My intention is to reduce your struggle – though it’s not possible to elminate it!
Special saturday/sunday Themes
Exploring Composition
Even without formal art education, we can have a sense of what “works” and what doesn’t as we compose our paintings with our reference material. I won’t provide any “answers.” We will play with cropping, at what we include – and not. We’ll see how all this lands, sharing our thoughts and responses. As with our color palette, composition is so personal. We’ll get started on a painting as time allows.
Water and Glass
Painting water and glass have a lot in common: transparency and reflectiveness – plus they can both sparkle with light. Actually painting this is more straightforward than you might imagine. To start, I will tour you through my paintings in this luminous, watery world.
Luminous shadows
Yes, there is light in the dark – shadows can be rich, interesting and luminous. I’ll share how I see shadow color and depth – and how you can make sure there is as much life in the shadows as in the light.
Still Life Studio
A brand new workshop! Putting it all together. Bring your objects, cloths, vases, flowers, fruit, other stuff – and a camera. Then we’ll compose – our way – and get painting. Note: the natural light on the actual day is a wild card. I’ll root for bright sun so we can take light drenched photos outside, but if not I’ll have lamps we can use.
These areas of focus are totally optional. If what you most want is time with me and companions in the studio to create, you are more than welcome to follow your heart’s desire in what you paint. The day is yours.
As with most of my groups and workshops, there are no specific subject matter assignments. I want you to paint what you are inspired to paint. I am available to work with you to select something to paint to take advantage of the themes of each workshop.
These workshops are designed as a series but you don’t have to sign up for all four sessions. Each one can stand on its own.
Schedule & Cost
- Exploring Composition – Summer 2026 date TBD
- Water and Glass – Summer 2026 date TBD
- Luminous – Summer 2026 date TBD
- Still Life Studio – Summer 2026 date TBD
10:00am – 4:00pm
Please plan to arrive between 9:45 and 10:00 so we can start at 10:00. We will go no later than 4:00.
When signing up, please let me know in the Notes which sessions you are coming to.
- $125 for a single workshop day
- $240 for two workshop days
- $345 for three workshop days
- $440 for all four workshop days
Use the button to make a payment online or mail a check to: Cara Brown, 250 Bel Marin Keys Blvd, Suite G3, Novato, CA 94949
(Please include your email address with your check.)
If paying by check, your spot will not be saved until your check is received.
Now offering an online option over Zoom!
- $75 for a single workshop day
- $140 for two workshop days
- $195 for three workshop days
- $240 for all four workshop days
Note: Saturday, October 25 – Still Life Studio will be an experiment, as far as how it will work online. If your experience isn’t worthwhile, I will offer you a refund for the fee for that day. If you are up to the adventure, I’d love to have you join us.
Location
You will love our beautiful new studio in Bel Marin Keys, in southern Novato. There are lunch options - short walks away. You also have use of the fridge, microwave and toaster oven.
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to come to the workshop and let me know two weeks in advance, you can either apply the fee to a future workshop or I can refund you. If you cancel within 2 weeks and I have someone who can take your place, you can apply your fee to a future workshop. If I cannot fill your spot, the fee is not refunded.
If you paid for a workshop with a credit card, the credit card transaction fees will not be included in the refund.
Thank you so much for your understanding.