WORKSHOPS
Check back soon as new ones are posted regularly!
NEW WORKSHOP
The Artistry of Light Filled Oil Paintings
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
**2 spots left!
This class is will be an experience for you as an artist to focus on how to better express yourself and your style. My goal is to give you an understanding of the tools to create art with a sense of light, emotion, variety of mark making and good design while allowing your personality to come through. These fundamentals are required for you to take an ordinary subject and see with artists eyes the beauty to elevate it to your own piece of art. We will study masters works along with creating our own large studio piece.
Come with a humble, positive and open mind and be prepared to walk away as an artist.
“A work of art which isn’t based on feeling isn’t art at all.” – Paul Cézanne
Date: February 5-7, 2026
Time: 9:30 - 4:00
Location: My studio on Monte Sano
Fee: $450, Limited to 6 students - Beginners Welcome
This class will be taught in Oil, Easels provided. See supply list page - "Studio List."
Plein Air Painting
in
Beartooth Pass and surrounds in Montana
July 14-19, 2026
plus a 1-day bonus orientation in spring 2026 at my studio or online
$650 for 5 days
(4 days on sight and 1 day in my studio or zoom TBA) limited to 8
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Click button to
EMAIL ME for Questions or to Register
WHERE:
I have painted for several years in the beautiful area around Cooke City, Montana including Beartooth Pass and Yellowstone's Lamar Valley and I have decided to share it with others. It is one of my favorite places on this earth and the absolute best for plein air painting.
WHEN:
1 DAY PRE-ORIENTATION - Tentatively SATURDAY, MAY 2, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. 3632 Lookout Drive, Huntsville, Al or ZOOM
ON-SITE -July 14-19, 2026. A welcome reception will be held on the evening before the workshop at 7:00 pm..
HOW LONG:
Most 5-day destination workshops in the US that I have attended take 1 day for orientation and concept review and have at least 1 day of sightseeing. That really leaves little time to paint. To make the most of your time, this will be a 4-day onsite workshop with a 1-day orientation that will be included about 1-2 months before in my studio to not only review process and paint studies of the area from photos, but also review gear, answer questions, and get you ready, etc. The on sight workshop will begin with a welcome gathering the night before the workshop begins. Our day will typically be from 9-4:30, however you can stay longer and paint. . We will have one evening critique, one evening optional painting possibly in Lamar valley as the days are long here in the summer.
COST:
The cost of the Workshop is $650. You can pay a deposit of $200 to hold your spot. The balance will be due by April 1, 2026. The deposit is refundable less a $25 processing fee if requested prior to April 1, 2026. After April 1, 2026 you will forfeit your deposit.
HOW TO ADD SIGHTSEEING TO THE WORKSHOP:
I think it is best if I let you plan your sightseeing and not make it part of the workshop (or cost). So, you should make time before or after the workshop to add to your trip and see the gorgeous area.
CAN SPOUSES COME:
Spouses are definitely invited. There is so much to do and see in the area. See info below for ride sharing.
TRAVEL/WILL I NEED A CAR:
I always fly into Billings and drive through Red Lodge to Cooke City over the beautiful Bear Tooth Pass. To make the trip really fun you can drive home on Chief Joseph Highway and stop in Cody on your way back to Billings. If you are really adventurous go through Yellowstone down to the Tetons and Jackson then back up to Billings.
You will need a car as we will meet each morning at a location near Cooke City to discuss the day's plans then caravan to the painting spots typically about 15-30 minutes away. If you have a spouse coming, they will most likely need to drop you off at our daily meeting spot then you can arrange with another participate to ride with them to the painting location. (See below)
A list of Participates will be shared in case you want to fly together and/or meet at airport and share a rental car.
WHERE WILL I STAY AND EAT:
LODGING OPTIONS FOR WORKSHOP DATES
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Skyline Guest Ranch https://www.skylineguestranch.com/
(406) 426-1048 You must call to book (cant do it online) and let them know you are part of our group.
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I have reserved 7 rooms at the Skyline Guest Ranch in addition to booking mine (and my husband) there as well. THEY WILL HOLD THESE FOR 6 WEEKS
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This is where we will base the workshop, meeting here each morning to review plans for the day. It is 5 minutes from Cooke City and 10 minutes from Yellowstone. In the other direction it is 10 minutes from our painting spots.
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The lodging comes with a full breakfast each day. We will go into town to eat dinner on our own but will probably book a group dinner here for one night even if you are not staying here. They are also going to offer a sack lunch for purchase to all of our participates.
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The rooms are first come first serve so book early
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You must call them to book since they are reserved for us. Make sure to let them know you are part of our group.
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If you are interested in sharing a room to split the cost, as a few of the rooms have two beds, let me know and I will connect you with other participates who have the same desire.
2. Other options are the Big Bear Lodge and the Big Moose Lodge. These are just about 2 minutes from the Skyline Ranch and they are right across the street from each other. They are clean and very reasonably priced and include breakfast. I have stayed at these cabins many times and the owners are wonderful ( a mother owns one and the daughter the other!) I did not reserve any rooms here for our group so I am not sure what their availability is.
3. There are some motels in Cooke City but I know nothing about them. You can easily do a search on the internet. We have rented an airbnb in Cooke City before that was fun.
Dinners are on your own but there are a couple of restaurants in Cooke City where we can eat as a group or on your own.
IS THE WORKSHOP IN OIL OR WATERBASED MEDIUM and WHAT ABOUT THE PAINTING LOCATIONS:
The workshop is taught in oil. I will show you how to get your paintings transported. We will be painting where their is parking and we can easily walk to the sites. There will not be bathrooms so you will have to "squat" behind a tree.
ARCHIVED WORKSHOPS
NEW WEEKLY CLASS
DRAWING BASICS including Perspective and Portraits in Charcoal & Conté
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
I have not hosted a weekly class in almost a decade. By request, I wanted to offer this drawing class for a limited number of artists interested in expanding their skills in the basic and most fundamental aspect of art. Get confident in drawing and establish good process. Learn to draw accurately, how to put anything in perspective and also learn to draw the portrait! Charcoal and conté are fast, expressive, and forgiving media, perfect for exploring and learning. The concepts and techniques used for charcoal and conté drawing go hand in hand with painting. Your painting skills will greatly benefit from your practice of drawing.
Reference photographs will be provided. Lots of one on one. Sara Beth will be drawing along with you and will demo. Limited to 5 students.
Date: Mondays October 13, 20, 27, Nov 10, 17 (skipping Nov 3) - 5 sessions
Time: 4:00 - 6:30 pm (arrive as early as 3:30)
Location: My studio - 3632 Lookout Drive, Huntsville Alabama 35801
Cost: $325
FULL
Easy and Expressive
Plein Air Landscape Painting
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Learn to paint landscapes at this historic plantation and farm with expressive brushwork and color. A very unique opportunity.
The challenge with plein air painting is that there is so much visual information around you it is hard to simplify it down to a good design. In addition, with the light and atmosphere changing so quickly, it is a imperative to capture the light effect and leave it. In this class you will learn a traditional process for painting outdoors resulting in consistent success. You will learn how to quickly capture the character of the scene and simplify it to express your intention.
Demo, handout, individual assistance. Class limited to 14. Supply list will be sent upon registration. The class will be taught in oil.
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Time: 9:00 until 4:30 with a one hour lunch break.
Bring your lunch or when you arrive order the local BBQ favorite Whitt's and it will be picked up for you (must have cash on hand). Coffee, fruit and scones will be served in the kitchen when you arrive.
Location: 8495 Bee Line Hwy, Tanner, Alabama (Between Decatur and Athens on Highway 31).
Fee: $150, Handouts will be provided
WAITLIST
Expressive Portrait Drawing in Charcoal & Conté Workshop -August 2025
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Expand your skills and learn to draw the portrait! Charcoal and conté are fast, expressive, and forgiving media, perfect for exploring and learning about the face and head. The concepts and techniques used for charcoal and conté drawing go hand in hand with painting. Your painting skills will greatly benefit from your practice of drawing the portrait in charcoal and pencil.
Reference photographs will be provided.
Space is limited to 8 students.
Date: August 8,9, 2025
Time: 10 am - 4:00 pm 1 hour lunch break
Location: HUNTSVILLE MUSEUM OF ART
Please contact the museum for registration. Link not available yet.
Introduction to Plein Air Landscape Painting
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Learn to paint landscapes and seascapes with expressive brushwork and color.
This 2 days workshop for all skill levels is an introduction to plein air painting with oils. The challenge with landscape and seascape painting is that there is so much visual information around you it is hard to simplify it down to a good design. In addition, to get a sense of day you must capture the relative values and colors in the land, sea and sky along with upright structures to achieve the light and atmosphere In this class you will learn a traditional process for painting resulting in consistent success. You will learn how to quickly capture the character of the scene and simplify it to express your intention. We will do lots of studies on the aspects that make a painting great: composition, values, edges, color and perspective. We will paint from some of your photos and mine. Easels will be provided. Space is limited to 6 students.
Date: June 13-14, 2025, 9:00 AM –4:30 PM
Time: 9:00 until 4:30 each day with a one hour lunch break.
Location: Huntsville, 3632 Lookout Dr, Huntsville, AL 35801, USA
Fee: $325
Introduction to Plein Air Landscape Painting
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Learn to paint landscapes with expressive brushwork and color.
This 2 days workshop for all skill levels is an introduction to plein air painting with oils. The first day will take place indoors. The challenge with plein air painting is that there is so much visual information around you it is hard to simplify it down to a good design. In addition, with the light and atmosphere changing so quickly, it is a imperative to capture the light effect and leave it. In this class you will learn a traditional process for painting outdoors resulting in consistent success. You will learn how to quickly capture the character of the scene and simplify it to express your intention. We will do lots of studies on the aspects that make a painting great: composition, values, edges, color and perspective. Different motifs including clouds, vistas, water and wooded spaces will also be explored. On the second day, weather permitting, we will take our work outdoors and apply the concepts learned in the studio. Photo references and easels will be provided. Space is limited to 6 students.
Date: Apr 11, 2025, 9:00 AM – Apr 12, 2025, 4:30 PM
Time: 9:00 until 4:30 each day with a one hour lunch break.
Location: Huntsville, 813 Wellman Ave NE, Huntsville, AL 35801, USA
Fee: $350
Please Contact the Flourish Fine Art Gallery 256-656-4759 to register or click the button below.
Keys to Expressive Landscape Painting
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate -
only 2 spots left
Keys to Expressive Landscapes
March 28-29, 2025
9:00-4:30 (1 hour lunch)
$265 non-members, $245 members
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Location - Carnegie Visual Art Center, Decatur Alabama
Learn how to simplify complex Landscapes and improve your compositions while creating expressive paintings. We will produce 6 small paintings in this class!
Learn classical, academic methods of oil painting. Learn about materials, techniques, gray scales, color theory and color mixing, composition, and design. Photo references provided.
Space is limited to 10 students.
MASTER COLOR
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
I see artist having so much trouble seeing color and also mixing the color they want and knowing how to make colors. Let's fix that!
Add depth, subtly and creativity to your artworks by working with the color wheel and exploring color interactions. This class will help clarify the ideas of color theory and shed some light on color mixing. It will be taught in oils, but the concepts can be applied to any medium such as watercolor, acrylic or pastel. Create a solid foundation for your art with an exploration of the inner workings of color through color charts and references. Materials included.
SUPPLIES INCLUDED
- Worksheets and guidebook
- guided lessons, one on one instruction
-understand how to mix the color you are seeing
- understand warm and cool colors
- understand how to make your colors sing
Date: Sat. Feb 8, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Huntsville Museum of Art
Fee: $150 non members, $135 members
Limited to 12 seats
Still Life On the Next Level
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Want to improve your ability to produce consistently beautiful paintings? How to express with color, brushwork and sensitivity?
How to simplify complex flower shapes and improve your compositions. We will produce 4-6 paintings in this class!
Learn classical, academic methods of oil painting. Learn about materials, techniques, gray scales, color theory and color mixing, composition, and design. Photo references and still-life set-ups provided.
Date: Jan 31- Feb 1 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Huntsville Art Museum
Fee: $265 non members, $210 members
12 limited seats
Expressive Portrait Drawing in Charcoal & Conte Huntsville Museum of Art
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced - sold out
Expand your skills and learn to draw the portrait! Charcoal and conte are fast, expressive, and forgiving media, perfect for exploring and learning about the face and head. The concepts and techniques used for charcoal and conte drawing go hand in hand with painting. Your painting skills will greatly benefit from your practice of drawing the portrait in charcoal and pencil. Reference photographs will be provided
Date: Nov 8 & 9, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
(one-hour lunch break)
Location: Huntsville Museum of Art
Fee: $160 members/$215 non-members of the HMA
(8 limited Space)
FLOWERS GALORE
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced - WAIT LIST ONLY (please email me on class sign up if interested. I will have a second class if enough response.)
Flowers Galore
(Must have taken a previous workshop by myself or another instructor)
An all-day immersive learn how to paint complex flowers in oil.
-Paint beautiful expressive flowers
-We will do lots of little paintings of different flowers.
Date: Oct 19, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: My studio on Monte Sano
Fee: $135
(5 limited seats )
MASTER COLOR
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
I see artist having so much trouble seeing color and also mixing the color they want and knowing how to make colors. Let's fix that!
Add depth, subtly and creativity to your artworks by working with the color wheel and exploring color interactions. This class will help clarify the ideas of color theory and shed some light on color mixing. It will be taught in oils, but the concepts can be applied to any medium such as watercolor, acrylic or pastel. Create a solid foundation for your art with an exploration of the inner workings of color through color charts and references. Materials included. Space is limited to 6 students.
SUPPLIES INCLUDED
- Worksheets and guidebook
- guided lessons, one on one instruction
-understand how to mix the color you are seeing
- understand warm and cool colors
- understand how to make your colors sing
Date: Wed Sep 11, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: My studio on Monte Sano
Fee: $150
Beginning Drawing with the Buildings and Portrait to Improve our Skill
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate - openings
Learn to Draw!! Perspective, feeling, light and shadow, proportion.
Drawing buildings and the portrait trains your brain to draw with precision and elegance which can be applied to any artform or motif. This class allows students to explore different media graphite, charcoal and conté all grounded in the foundational skill of drawing. Photo references will be provided. Space is limited to 6 students.
Date: Aug 13, 2024
Time: 9:00 - 4:30
Location: My Studio
Fee: $ 135
Keys to Expressive Landscape Painting
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate - openings
Learn to paint landscapes with expressive brushwork and color.
Paint in the studio and en plein air. This class allows students to explore different motifs of the landscape including clouds, vistas, water and wooded spaces. Learn a consistent process for success: design, draw, values, colors, atmosphere and perspective. We will also take our work outdoors to paint en plein air to reinforce and expand the concepts learned in the studio depending on the weather. Photo references will be provided. Space is limited to 5 students.
Date: Aug 15-16, 2024
Time: 9:00 - 4:30
Location: My studio on Monte Sano
Fee: $295
Keys to Expressive Landscape Painting
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate - openings
Learn to paint landscapes with expressive brushwork and color.
Paint in the studio and en plein air. This class allows students to explore different motifs of the landscape including clouds, vistas, water and wooded spaces. Learn a consistent process for success: design, draw, values, colors, atmosphere and perspective. We will also take our work outdoors to paint en plein air to reinforce and expand the concepts learned in the studio. Photo references will be provided. Space is limited to 6 students.
Date: May 28-30 , 2024, 3 days
Time: 9:00 - 4:00
Location: My studio and a day of plein air on Monte Sano
Fee: $395
Beginning Drawing using the Figure/Portrait to Improve our Skill
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate - openings
Learn to Draw!! Perspective, feeling, light and shadow, proportion.
Drawing the portrait and figure trains your brain to draw with precision and elegance which can be applied to any artform or motif. This class allows students to explore different media graphite, charcoal and conté all grounded in the foundational skill of drawing. Photo references will be provided. Space is limited to 5 students.
Date: Friday, May 31
Time: 9:00 - 4:30
Location: My Studio
Fee: $ 135
One Day Still Life Oil Painting from Life
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced - full
Spend the day painting a still life from life! Learn how to simplify complex flower shapes and improve your compositions. This is a perfect class to reboot your skills. We will work in the morning on drawing and color mixing and values then the afternoon painting the still life.
Space is strictly limited to 5 students. Please email for more information.
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Time: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm 1 hour lunch break
Location: Sara Beth Fair Studio
Fee: $135
Still Life Oil Painting
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced - SOLD OUT
Note: 2 sessions for you to choose from!
Learn how to simplify complex flower shapes and improve your compositions. We will produce 4-6 paintings in this class!
Learn classical, academic methods of oil painting. Learn about materials, techniques, gray scales, color theory and color mixing, composition, and design. Photo references and still-life set-ups provided. Space is limited to 4 students. Please email for more information.
Session 1: Thursday & Friday | February 22nd & 23rd - SOLD OUT
OR
Session 2: Monday & Tuesday| February 26th & 27th - SOLD OUT
Time: 9:30 am - 4pm 1 hour lunch break
Location: Sara Beth Fair Studio
Fee: $225 For 1 session
Drawing Workshop -Feb 2024
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced - SOLD OUT
Reserve your spot for a second session or your first all day intensive drawing immersion!
Join me to learn/improve how to see so you can draw quickly and accurately; learn how to correct your drawing and fundamentals that include perspective and process for consistency. We will work primarily with portraits and some architecture to improve your eye. Learn about proportion, feeling and perspective, also how to improve your drawing and how to give form through light and shadow. This all day workshop will give you confidence in all your art and jump start your painting abilities.
Bring your lunch and join me in my beautiful studio on Monte Sano Mtn. Easels will be provided. Space very limited to 4 students only.
To Register: Click button and I will send you payment and confirmation information as well as a supply list.
Date: Saturday | February 24th
Time: 9:30 am - 4pm 1 hour lunch break
Location Sara Beth Fair Studio
Fee: $110
Still Life Oil Painting
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced - SOLD OUT
Learn how to simplify complex flower shapes and improve your compositions. We will produce 4-6 paintings in this class!
Learn classical, academic methods of oil painting. Learn about materials, techniques, gray scales, color theory and color mixing, composition, and design. Photo references and still-life set-ups provided. Space is limited to 8 students.
Date: Friday & Saturday | February 9th & 10th
Time: 10am-4pm (one-hour lunch break)
Location: Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Street SW Huntsville, AL 35801
Fee: $145 members/$200 non-members of the HMA
Drawing Workshop -Feb 2024
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced - SOLD OUT
Jump start your art with an all day drawing intensive!
Learn how to see so you can draw quickly and accurately; learn how to correct your drawing and fundamentals that include perspective and process for consistency. We will work primarily with portraits and some architecture to improve your eye. Learn about proportion, feeling and perspective, also how to improve your drawing and how to give form through light and shadow. This all day workshop will give you confidence in all your art and jump start your painting abilities.
Bring your lunch and join me in my beautiful studio on Monte Sano Mtn. Easels will be provided. Space very limited to 4 students only.
To Register: Click button and I will send you payment and confirmation information as well as a supply list.
Date: Saturday | February 3rd
Time: 10 am - 4:30pm 1 hour lunch break
Location Sara Beth Fair Studio
Fee: $110
Color Theory and Creativity
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced - SOLD OUT
Add depth, subtly and creativity to your artworks by working with the color wheel and exploring color interactions. This class will help clarify the ideas of color theory and shed some light on color mixing. It will be taught in oils, but the concepts can be applied to any medium such as watercolor, acrylic or pastel. Create a solid foundation for your art with an exploration of the inner workings of color through color charts and references. Materials included. Space is limited to 12 students.
Date: Saturday | January 27th
Time: 10am-4pm (one-hour lunch break)
Location: Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Street SW Huntsville, AL 35801
Fee: $95 members/$150 non-members of the HMA