Dorrie’s watercolor workshops are not just beginner-friendly, they are designed to speak to the nascent skill sets, early learning curves, developing aesthetic sensibilities, and, often, over-anxious mindsets, of neophyte watercolorists. At the same time, novice, intermediate, and even more advanced painters can expect to deepen their approach and improve their technique with Dorrie, whose award-winning resume is fully matched by her love of, and knack for, teaching and sharing.
Dorrie’s various workshops emphasize differing aspects of painting, but as a rule have a “core curriculum” covering roughly equally three steps: (1) design, (2) sketching, and (3) painting. Participants learn to create strong compositions, execute solid underlying sketches, produce typography when called for, and paint effectively.
Expect to learn while having fun through demonstration, exercises, and individual instruction and encouragement. Students will most often work from photographs provided for them or can bring their own.
NOTE: Only a few spaces left!
Compose, Draw and PAINT: Learn to Paint Cityscapes (3 Day Workshop)
The Landgrove Inn, 132 Landgrove Road, Landgrove, Vermont 05148
Date: May 20 – 22, 2016
Student Expertise Level: Beginners – Advanced
Price: $300.00 for Workshop Only
Contact: vtinn@sover.net
Website: www.artworkshopsatthelandgroveinn.com
Beer Bottles and Bottleneck Guitars (1 Day Workshop)
The Wallkill River School of Art
Patchett House, 232 Ward St (17K), Montgomery, NY 12549
Date: June 20, 2016
Class Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Student Expertise Level: Beginners – Advanced
Price: $90.00
Email: wallkillriverschool@gmail.com
Website: www.wallkillriverschool.com
Compose, Draw and PAINT: Learn to Paint Cityscapes (2 Day Workshop)
Ocean County Artists’ Guild
Ocean and Chestnut Avenues, Island Heights, NJ 08732
Date: August 1 – 2, 2016
Class Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Student Expertise Level: Beginners – Advanced
Price (1 Day): Members: $95.00/Non-Members: $110.00
Price (2 Days): Members: $180.00/Non-Members: $215.00
Email: lindawurtenberg@aol.com
Website: www.ocartistsguild.org
If your art group is looking for a fun-filled, informative, creative workshop, I’d love to come paint with you! Please email me at drifkin@dorrierifkin.com.
I met Dorrie Rifkin a few years ago through CAA – Community Arts Association in Bergen County, NJ. I was in awe of her watercolor painting of sunbathers with umbrellas that was on display at one of our monthly meetings. Since then, I’ve gotten to know Dorrie and took a painting workshop and painted beer bottles – what else! Dorrie has a unique style of painting; her command of colors of loose approach make her a standout. She is a wonderful instructor and a friendly person! Thanks Dorrie.
I thought it was a great workshop, and I learned a lot.
Here’s what I especially learned:
1. Using masses of shapes
2. Mixing basic three colors to get other colors for color unity rather than relying on 10 different watercolor tubes
3. the grid
4. using hats and sunglasses
5. not drawing necks!
Thank you and all the best!
I never miss attending Dorrie’s workshops when she’s in New Jersey. She’s experienced, knowledgeable in her field, and her easy-going manner, makes it easy for participants to enjoy a fun learning experience.
Hi Dorrie,
Your instruction was extremely helpful. Never would I have thought of starting with the figures in the foreground, but I now understand that they set the tone and feeling for the rest of the painting.
I realize my touch was on the light side but wasn’t sure where I was being led to in the painting. Layers of glazes do make a lot of sense for city and landscapes.
Thank you again for being so free in giving advice and instruction. I know I’ll being able to put it all to good use.
Dorrie’s has a friendly and informal approach to teaching which takes the pressure off, allowing her workshop attendees the freedom to fearlessly explore new and exciting techniques in design and creativity.