Tuesday, September 16 - Friday, September 19, 2025, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Registration Deadline: August 26

RAA&M Members: $650
Non-Members: $700

BECOME A MEMBER!

Stonington is the gateway to the Merchant’s Row archipelago, one of the largest clusters of islands in the country. Natural beauty abounds in this corner of the world, tucked away on the end of a remote peninsula, lending Stonington a secret garden feel. Hiking trails snake into the island and along the shore, the smell of salt and pine pervades throughout, and a unique blend of a creative economy and an industrial economy helps create a multifaceted culture. Nineteenth-century buildings line the narrow and winding streets of downtown, enhancing the feeling of being transported back in time.

During this four-day workshop, we will start by discussing our intent, our vision for where we will take the painting. Values are incredibly important, so we will establish these building blocks early on. We will work to understand and simplify our shapes, visually connecting our light patterns as well as our shadow patterns in order to construct a sound and visually pleasing design. We will explore the use of complimentary colors as well as the ever-important color temperatures that harmonize the painting. We will strive to make our work fresh, vibrant, and full of light, not being a slave to what is there but knowing how to interpret the essence of it: A painting, a well-designed beautiful one, not just a rendering of what nature gave us.

Individual critique at the student’s easel will form the basis of instruction as well as various oil painting demonstrations. Students may work in the painting medium of their preference, be it oil, watercolor, acrylic, or pastel.

Participants will be responsible for lodging and meals as well as supplies and materials.

Suggested Lodging:
Boyce’s Motel, Stonington Village
Pilgrim’s Inn, Deer Isle

Open to experienced plein air painters. The group will be limited to 10 participants.

Artist instructor Ken DeWaard has won numerous awards around the country in many of the top plein air competitions, including the coveted Artist Choice awards, Best of Show, and a host of others. Strongly inspired by John Singer Sargent, Joaquin Sorolla, William Wendt, Edgar Payne, Nicolai Fechin, and the Russian Impressionists, Ken finds himself painting an array of subject matter from everyday life.

 The feelings Ken evokes in his paintings are due in part to the excitement and passion he feels while capturing the fleeting effects of light, or the wonderful color nuances and harmonies presented by nature and all of her beauty. He has spent many a summer day painting Italian hillsides, American vistas, and beauty wherever it finds him.

 After living for 14 years in the Driftless area of Wisconsin, Ken and his family recently moved to Maine, where he finds endless inspiration around him.