Canyon Color for the Painter: A Plein Air Workshop
with Carol Douglas
March 10 – 14, 2025 | *Monday – Friday
All 2-D Mediums – click the Materials List tab above for more info.
All Levels of Experience – New artists are welcome, but please email the instructor for preparatory exercises and to be sure you’ve got the right supplies and equipment.
*The first class meeting on Monday starts at the Sedona Arts Center in the Theatre Studio at 10 am, subsequent meeting times/locations will be announced by the instructor during class.
Transform your plein air painting skills in this unique week-long oil, acrylic, pastel and watercolor workshop. You’ll focus on color from every angle and apply advanced color concepts to your work. Color theory is not just a collection of good ideas; it’s the cornerstone of your toolbox. Using practical lessons and exercises, you’ll take what you’ve learned about color and use it to enhance your artistic vision.
Discover shortcuts to save you time and effort in the studio or field.
Learn how to lead with color and create a color strategy before you pick up a brush.
Choose the most effective color system for your purpose and master its application.
This painting class is open to all mediums. Basic painting experience is required.
My workshops help painters refine their personal technique in watercolor, pastel, oils, gouache, and acrylics. You will find your own voice and style without becoming anyone’s clone. These are intensive classes, with morning and afternoon on-site painting sessions and lunch-time discussions and demos.
We stress strategies, protocols, and best practices in painting to get you good results with the least amount of wasted time. That means more attention on drawing, brushwork and observation. You will learn to paint boldly, using fresh, clean color. You’ll learn to build commanding compositions, and to use hue, value and line to draw the eye through your paintings.
Carol Douglas is an internationally acclaimed painter and painting instructor, best known for her use of color and composition. Her skillset is broad and deep across many mediums, subject areas, and disciplines.
Through her work, Carol shows her audience the wonder and innate adventure of creation. She has painted all over the world, in locations both spectacular and beautifully ordinary. Using bold color and form, she invites the viewer to experience a very real moment and place. Her paintings invite you to adventure alongside her.
As a teacher, Carol believes that masterful art doesn’t happen by accident; it’s built on strong foundational skills that can (and must!) be learned and practiced. She believes that any student willing to put in the work and stretch themselves can grow as an artist.
Carol has decades of experience as an artist and teacher. Her students range from early beginners to seasoned pros, and many have gone on to great success as artists, both professionally and personally. Beyond just painting skills, she shares with her students a broad knowledge of art history, color theory, the science of painting, the business of art, and much more.
You can learn more about her paintings and classes and enjoy her top-rated painting blog at watch-me-paint.com.
Here’s a clothing packing list for a week of onsite painting. Many of you are familiar with Sedona and prepared for all eventualities, but for those of you who aren’t local, expect to be warm during the day and cool at night. Obviously, you should watch the weather and adjust to match:
Students may register online or by calling the Sedona Arts Center’s Administrative Offices in the Art Barn, toll-free at 888-954-4442 or locally at 928-282-3809
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express are accepted or student may pay with cash or check by registering in person during office hours at the Art Barn
In-Person and Online Workshops
Payment in full is due upon registration, or a payment plan can be put in place by the student upon check-out through Sezzle.
There is a $125 Cancellation Fee for any cancellations made before February 10, 2025. Remaining balance will be refunded.
There are no refunds after February 10, 2025.
If Sedona Arts Center cancels the workshop for any reason, all payments made will be refunded in full.
Note: If traveling to Sedona, we strongly urge students to purchase refundable airline tickets or travel insurance in case of workshop cancellation due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen changes. Sedona Arts Center is not responsible for non-refundable ticket purchases or lodging fees.
Important Message
The Sedona Arts Center is not responsible for providing make-up sessions or issuing refunds, credits, or transfers for courses missed as a result of illness, emergencies, or other events beyond our control. There are absolutely no refunds after the cut-off date for any reason, unless the Sedona Arts Center has to cancel the workshop, then all fees paid will be refunded in full.
Carol Durkee
I have found many new and needed ways of working in watercolors, specifically the prep work… I never had lessons that included these steps, only workshops that were demos, then you were on your own, then a time of critique. Found out ideas that should have been done before I painted. So now I feel I’m on a good new track.
David Blanchard
“Some teachers are good artists, and some artists are good teachers, but it is rare to find a good artist who is also a good teacher. Carol is one of them. She will teach you the fundamentals you need to know, which a lot of teachers gloss over without explanation, but she also takes you to the next level, wherever you are on the learning curve.
“She is not only a skilled practitioner, but is also knowledgeable about the more theoretical aspects, which she clearly and simply explains so you can to apply them to your own work. She knows the history of art, and can point out examples from well-known artists, both contemporary and past, that illustrate her points. She is very supportive and is quick to point out what is successful in your work, but doesn’t coddle or patronize, so you do get valuable constructive critiques of every piece, and continue to learn and grow.
“Her classes are well run, but also have a nice relaxed feeling that’s builds comradery among students. She provides good exercises for in- and out of class, based on her perception of the actual needs of the particular students in each group. She can work with you in oils, watercolors, or acrylics. I like to recommend her to my artists friends because I can do so with the confidence that they will not be disappointed. If you want a no-nonsense and practical artist-teacher who gives you what you need to improve your art, look no further.”
Carol Thiel
“This was the best painting instruction I have ever had. Carol’s advice in color mixing was particularly eye-opening. Her explanations are clear and easy to understand. She is very approachable and supportive. I would take this course again in a heartbeat.”
