With the beautiful landscapes of Acadia National Park and Schoodic Peninsula as inspiration, artist Philip Frey presents a plein-air painting workshop for dedicated painters with intermediate and advanced skills that will take place at Schoodic Institute in Winter Harbor, Maine. He will offer pivotal lessons designed to develop your skills and confidence, clarify your artistic vision, and enhance your creativity as a painter. You will learn to improve your paintings by understanding and applying the rules of drawing, composition and color. This will include: simplifying what you see through sketching; painting in ‘grisaille’ (black and white) and limited palettes; as well as understanding the principles fundamental to creating masterful compositions used by the Old Masters. There will be daily one-on-one instruction, demos, and group critiques. Be prepared to be challenged artistically, develop insights, and have fun while enjoying the exhilarating Maine coast!

To register, please visit https://schoodicinstitute.org/event/painting-workshop-with-philip-frey/

The workshop this year will include a visit to US Bells, a local shop in Prospect Harbor, to learn about the sand casting and foundry process. One of the painting locations will be at Bunker’s Wharf, an authentic Downeast Maine establishment, and we will have lunch together as a group afterwards. There will be an option for a guided walk on campus or a free wine tasting at Bartlett Maine Estate Winery. There will be cocktail hours at the beginning and end of the week at Schoodic Institute to socialize with workshop participants.

Students should be able to participate in moderate walking on uneven ground while carrying painting gear (think rocks and roots on Acadia terrain) and be prepared for unpredictable Maine weather (wind, sun, bugs, and rain). In the case of rain, class will be held indoors or under cover outside. Days will start early painting on-site, with a midday break and afternoon lessons and critiques (see full schedule here). Philip will be painting in oil but has experience with acrylic, watercolor and dry media. Students may bring their medium of choice; a materials list will be sent upon registration.

Experience in plein-air painting and good drawing skills at the intermediate or advanced level are required of students. An application and image submissions will be required for admission to the workshop this year. We will email applicants within 5 days of submission. If accepted, we will send a link for registration and further details. Also note, a National Park pass valid for Acadia National Park is required.

About the Instructor
Philip Frey is a celebrated career artist and instructor with a 2018 published book, Philip Frey: Here and Now, by Daniel Kany and Carl Little. 2024 exhibitions are scheduled at Cove Street Arts, Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, and Greenhut Galleries. Philip is known for his engaging, illuminating and positive teaching style. He is skilled at addressing his students’ abilities and helping them mature as an artist.

Queennette Santiago of Petaluma, CA writes:
"Phil Frey is not only an inspiringly dynamic artist but a patient and insightful teacher. His workshop transformed the way I look at the world and how I now approach the ever daunting blank canvas… which is now with confident intention! Having access to and learning from an artist of his caliber is truly a gift."

See more testimonials on Phil Frey’s website: https://www.philipfrey.com/teaching