Skip to main content
HomeWorkshops

Multi-Day Workshops

Ken Call

The Enlightened Brush
Three-Day Workshop

Date: February 13-15, 2024
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Venue: Marsh Lane Baptist Church
Price: $350 for members/$400 for non-members
Register Here

Accordion Widget
Artist Bio
Artist Bio

Born and raised in Rochelle, Illinois, Ken went on to graduate from the American Academy of Art in 1980 with an Associates Degree in Illustration and Watercolor. He has worked as a freelance artist nationally for many years. Ken spent 1993 and 1994 studying and painting in Paris, France. He is now living in Northbrook, Illinois with his wife and two children.  After beginning his career as a studio artist, he soon branched out on his own, beginning a very successful freelance career, which to date has led to the creation of over 500 illustrations for books, magazines, art publishers, advertising agencies and corporations. 


Ken in the last few years has made the transition to fine art and portraiture. Many of his originals are hanging in galleries and homes across the country. Several awards have led to Signature status in the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Missouri Watercolor Society and Transparent Watercolor Society Master along with being a Master Signature member with the Illinois Watercolor Society.


Accordion Widget
Workshop Description and Supply List
Workshop Description and Supply List

Hello everyone! I am very much looking forward to our workshop this year.. I hope you all are too. I will be giving a demonstration each day. On the first day, you can bring something of your own to paint, regardless of subject matter. It can be landscapes, flowers, people, etc. This will give myself a chance to see at what level each of you are in regards to watercolor painting. No matter where you are at presently, we will have fun and hopefully I can teach you a few things. 


On day 2 we will all be painting from the same reference photos supplied by myself, of people of course! You should be getting the photos by e-mail about 2 weeks before. I will be doing a demo of the same reference.


Seeing that my specialty is painting people, I would encourage everyone to try do a portrait or figures on our last day. I will give a portrait demo that morning and afterwards can help anyone with their drawing before starting their own painting. Please try and have your painting predawn and we can adjust from there if needed.


Please bring several samples of previous work to show. I will be available at times for a more personal review of your work. 


Day 1

9:00 Introductions and discussion of work shop details.

9:30-11:00 Instructor Demonstration.

11:00-12:00 Free day. You can paint whatever your favorite subject matter is.

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:00-3:15 Painting

3:15-4:00 Critique and discussion


Day 2

9:00-10:30 Portrait Demonstration

10:30-12:00 Painting of portrait or figures.I will be suppling the reference photos before hand. 

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:00-3:00 Painting

3:00- 4:00 Critiques and discussion


Day 3

9:00-10:30             Demonstration

10:30-12:00 Painting of portraits or figures. Please bring own reference pre-drawn.

12:00-1:00             Lunch

1:00-3:00 Painting

3:00- 4:00 Critiques and discussion

Supply List for Ken Call






Soon Y. Warren

How to Paint a Cut-Crystal Bowl
Three-Day Workshop

Date: March 12-14, 2024
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Venue: Marsh Lane Baptist Church
Price: $350 for members/$400 for non-members

Register Here
  
Accordion Widget
Artist Bio
Artist Bio

Soon Y. Warren is a full-time artist, teacher, and workshop instructor, nationally and internationally. She has an Associate degree in commercial art. Soon Y. had numerous exhibitions and earned numerous awards. Soon Y. is a signature member of National Watercolor Society (NWS), American Watercolor Society (AWS), Southern Watercolor Artist (SW), Texas Watercolor Society, Purple Sage Brush (TWS), Transparent Watercolor Society (TWSA) and more.

 

Her paintings and articles have been published in many times in Artist’s Magazine, Watercolor Magic Magazine, North Light Book, Southwest Art Magazine, Watercolor Artist Magazine, International Artist Magazine, The Art of Watercolour, and Pratique des Arts. 


 Also, her paintings were included in Splash: The Best of Watercolor 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 21, and 22, and published in Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing of 3 and 4. She published in two watercolor instructional books;

"Vibrant Flowers in Watercolor" with F&W Publication, (North Light Book); “Painting Vibrant Watercolor: Discover the Magic of Light, Color and Contrast (North Light Book); Participated in the book, “Watercolor Secret,” with one chapter, “Create Drama with Bold Composition.” She also created 7 DVDs; Top Vibrant Watercolor Techniques; Vibrant Watercolor Techniques Painting Glass; Vibrant Watercolor Techniques Painting Water; Painting Silver; Painting Flowers; Color Effects; Marbles and Reflections.


Her awards included in Purchase Award in National Watercolor Society and also Master’s Award. Awards in  American Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society, Southern Watercolor Society, Texas Watercolor Society, and many more.


Her paintings are in permanent collections of private, corporate, and educational institution in national and internationally.


 
Accordion Widget
Workshop Description and Supply List
Workshop Description and Supply List

The class will learn how to create an image of a cut crystal bowl in watercolor in a step by step process. To speed up the class exercise, Soon Y Warren will provide a reference photo and drawing for the group exercise. Following a painting demonstration, workshop participants will do their own painting in order to fully understand the process. While concentrating on technique, the concept of color theory, composition, and color values will be incorporated into the workshop.


 While painting workshop participants will learn:

• Glazing and washing techniques to create a luminous under painting

• How to utilize light and dark values in order to capture the sparkle of glass

• How to approach a painting

• How to incorporate the concept of color theory and color relationships into a painting

• Discussion and critiques will follow during workshop session 

• In addition to the group exercise, participants are encouraged to bring current pieces to paint along with reference photos. To make the most of instructional time, prepare the drawing before the workshop. 


To read about the process of how to paint same crystal bowl before workshop, read the step by step painting process of same crystal in my second book “Painting Vibrant Watercolor- discover the magic of light, color and contrast.” You can purchase at major book store or internet, such as Amazon.com.


Supply List for Soon Y. Warren





Tom Francesconi

Watercolor, Fresh and Lively
Three-Day Workshop

Date: April 9-11, 2024
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Venue: Marsh Lane Baptist Church
Price: $350 for members/$400 for non-members
Register Here

Accordion Widget
Artist Bio
Artist Bio
 

Tom Francesconi studied watercolor at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. His paintings have been exhibited in many national exhibitions, which include the American and National Watercolor Societies. In 2015, Tom’s painting was selected to travel to Shenzhen, China to be included in the National Watercolor Society’s International Biennial Exchange Exhibition. In 2020, Tom’s painting was chosen for inclusion in the NWS: 100 Years Exhibition and most recently, Tom’s painting was one of forty paintings selected to hang in the Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland, as a part of the National Watercolor Society’s 2024 Exchange Exhibition.


Tom has earned signature membership in numerous watercolor societies, including the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, Rocky Mountain National Watermedia and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, of which he has been honored with ‘Master’ status. Tom has served as president of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. Currently, Tom is the executive director of the Illinois Watercolor Society.

His work has been published in eight books on American Watercolor. Tom has written articles for Watercolor Artist, Watercolor Magic and Watercolor magazines. Tom’s award winning painting, “Unleashed”, was published in The Best of Watercolor: Winners From the 22nd Annual Splash Competition, June 2021.


His work has received many awards in regional and national exhibitions, including the Henry Fukuhara Award, 1st Place Award, the Founders Award and the Tom Fong Memorial Award at the 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2023 Watercolor West Exhibitions, 3rd Place Award at the 2019 Houston International Watermedia Exhibition, 3rd Place Award at the 2019 Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition, High Water Award at the 2019 Red River Watercolor Society National Exhibition, Soft Edged Expressionism Award at the 2013 and 2019 Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors as well as the Gordon and Mildred Memorial Award at the 2023 Adirondacks Exhibition, and the Lakes Region Watercolor Award at the 2010 and 2015 Transparent Watercolor Society of America Exhibitions.


Tom’s paintings are held in the corporate collections of Inland Real Estate Corporation, Oakbrook, IL, CNA Insurance Company, Chicago, IL, Paige Bus Enterprises, Chicago, IL and Morgan Stanley Financial Services Company, Chicago, IL and in many private collections throughout the United States. Along with his weekly classes in Chicago, Tom has conducted watercolor workshops throughout the United States, Canada, France, Italy and Croatia.


Accordion Widget
Workshop Description and Supply List
Workshop Description and Supply List

This workshop will expose the students to Tom's approach to creating interpretive watercolors that are fresh and dynamic. Emphasis will be on creating better paintings through an understanding of the importance of well-considered value relationships, meaningful color decisions and brushwork that delights and entertains the eye. Throughout this process, Tom will share his thoughts and approach to breaking free from the tyranny of the reference photo, encouraging a more creative and satisfying painting experience. Students will gain a better understanding of the power of simplicity through a preliminary process of letting go. Daily demonstrations will allow the students to see how Tom approaches a painting from start to finish. Exercises aimed at helping students better understand certain concepts will also be employed. Throughout, Tom strives to create an atmosphere that is educational, inspirational and joyful.

Supply List for Tom Francesconi








A $100 deposit is required to reserve a place in our Multi-Day Workshops. Payment in full is required for our One-Day Classes.

WORKSHOPS & ONE-DAY CLASSES

In addition to the traditional schedule of three-day workshops with nationally ranked artists, SWS has initiated a second instructional schedule of one-day classes with noted local artists.


ONE-DAY CLASSES POLICY:

The one-day local classes will offer watercolorists the opportunity to broaden their experience under the guidance of accomplished local artists.

Workshop enrollment is typically limited to 15-20 participants. Reservations are accepted in the order in which they are received. Wait lists are also formed in the order that requests are received.

There is no deposit with one-day classes. Payment will be made in full at the time of registration and the workshop refund policy will be followed.

If you have questions or wish to cancel your registration in a one-day class, please contact Gail Chandler, gchandler01@sbcglobal.net, or Irina Kartunov at ikartuno@gmail.com.


WORKSHOPS POLICY:


Workshop enrollment is limited typically limited to a maximum of 20 participants. Reservations are accepted in the order in which they are received. Wait lists are also formed in the order that requests are received.

A $100 deposit per workshop must accompany the signup to reserve a space. Confirmation of enrollment will be sent upon receipt of the deposit (or full payment). The deposit is non-transferable to any other person or workshop.

Balance of payment is due one month before the workshop start date and if not received by that date, the student may lose his/her place.

If you have questions or wish to cancel your registration in a workshop, please contact workshops@swswatercolor.org.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

The cancelling member shall contact the Workshop Coordinator as soon as possible to facilitate replacement.  The SWS wait list has first priority over other students who are not on the wait list.

Upon a student’s cancellation of a workshop at least one month prior to the start date of the workshop, the workshop fee is 100% refundable.

Upon a student’s cancellation of a workshop less than one month prior to the start date of the workshop, the entire fee is refundable only if the space if filled and paid for.  If the space is not filled and paid for, the workshop fees are refundable, less the $100 deposit.

Once the workshop begins, there are no refunds for no-shows or withdrawals.

SWS reserves the right to cancel workshops due to insufficient enrollment or other reasons.  If SWS cancels a workshop, applicants will receive a full refund.

If you have questions or wish to cancel your registration in a one-day class, please contact Gail Chandler, gchandler01@sbcglobal.net, or Irina Kartunov at ikartuno@gmail.com.

If you have questions or wish to cancel your registration in a workshop, please contact workshops@swswatercolor.org.