Summary:
Explore color, composition, paint application, and the foundational principles of oil painting while capturing favorite moments amid the beauty of the area. Experience growth in direct painting methods through intentional observation in the studio and outdoors.
Full Course Description:
A beginner-friendly oil painting workshop, focusing on painting from direct observation, using still life to learn how light transforms everyday objects into something worth capturing. Emphasis will be on building technical skills and gaining the confidence to experiment and explore color and brushwork!
Students will learn direct painting methods and oil painting basics while painting quickly and expressively, to capture atmosphere and light. Experimenting with luscious color mixing, value structure, and color relationships will encourage students to approach painting with loose and expressive brushwork.
A week of demonstrations, guided exercises, and lots of supported studio time with structure will provide you with clarity and experimentation will keep things exciting!
Learn to paint a variety of subjects, while expressing your unique interpretation and develop growth in your painting journey.
MEET THE ARTIST
Brandi McDermott
Brandi McDermott is a contemporary impressionist oil painter based in Germany, whose work celebrates the beauty of everyday life. Drawn to landscapes, cityscapes, and still lifes, she paints primarily en plein air, capturing subtle shifts of light and atmosphere with expressive brushwork.
Having lived in multiple regions and traveling extensively as an active-duty military spouse, Brandi draws inspiration from diverse, changing landscapes and cultural experiences. She has developed her practice through years of independent study and professional workshops with Haidee-Jo Summers, Bryan Mark Taylor, and Phil Starke. She was awarded First Prize at the 2022 Annual Bisbee Plein Air Competition exhibited in the 2025 juried EVBK exhibition, and secured a 2025 artist residency and exhibition in France.
Through her paintings, Brandi endeavors to share moments of joyful reflection, evoking both mood and memory in each painting she creates.
EXAMPLE ITINERARY
Example Day:
8:00 AM | Morning Movement
Guided seaside walk or gentle yoga to awaken the body and mind.
9:30 AM | French Breakfast Under the Pergola
Fresh pastries, seasonal fruit, rich coffee, and conversation in the morning light.
10:30 AM | Art-Making with Intention
Studio time focused on guided creative exploration and personal expression.
12:30 PM | Chef-Prepared Lunch
A vibrant meal crafted from locally sourced ingredients, enjoyed al fresco.
1:30 PM | Creative Studio or Free Time
Continue your art practice or relax — swim, read, journal, or simply rest.
4:30 PM | Garden Aperitif
Aperol spritz or botanical mocktails in the garden as the afternoon softens.
6:00 PM | Evening Integration
Sound bowl meditation, restorative session, or optional stroll into town.
7:30 PM | Dinner by the Sea
A relaxed, candlelit dinner on the beach as the sun sets over the Mediterranean.