October 31 to November 2 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Eastern Time

***Please read the entire page below carefully before registration.

Workshop Description

Join Penn Studio School for a 2.5-day Landscape Painting Retreat in the stunning Berkshires of Massachusetts, led by renowned instructor Jon Redmond.

Set at the picturesque Rowe Camp and Conference Center, this retreat offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Berkshires while learning how to harness the transformative power of light in landscape painting.

Location: Rowe Camp and Conference Center, 22 Kings Hwy, Rowe, MA 01367

The Role of Light in Art

Light is essential in both how we perceive the world and how we create depth, atmosphere, and visual interest in our artwork.

Throughout this retreat, Jon will guide participants in exploring how light can shape the painting process—from underpainting techniques to advanced methods like glazing, velatura, and scumbling.

You’ll also learn how to select the right pigments—both transparent and opaque—to master the illusion of light and shadow, while developing a beautiful painted surface. A key component of the retreat will be Jon’s compact, ultralight outdoor painting kit, designed for portability and ease, making it perfect for capturing inspiration in nature.

The Experience
With ample time for painting, reflection, and connection with fellow artists, this retreat is an ideal opportunity to work outdoors (weather permitting) and directly capture the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Step away from the everyday, immerse yourself in the serene surroundings, and take your artistic practice to the next level.

Workshop Outline

Day 1: Pigment choice, materials and underpainting demo in the morning followed by afternoon landscape painting on location with individual instruction.

Day 2: Color development, direct and indirect layering demo in the morning followed by afternoon landscape painting with individual instruction.

Day 3 (half day): Landscape painting with individual instruction and critique.

Workshop Housing & Meals

The cost of the retreat includes instruction, room and board, and all meals, including dinner on arrival (10/31/25), breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the second day (11/1/25), and breakfast and lunch on departure day (11/2/25). Materials, as well as transportation to and from the retreat, are not included. Participants will need to provide their own materials and transportation.

Housing details are listed below. Bathrooms are shared. Overnight accommondations are only for the event dates not the night before October 31st. You will need to talk to Rowe Center 1-2 Weeks before October 31st to make those accomondations.

Private Rooms
There are nine private rooms available, priced at $925 each.

Shared Rooms
Double occupancy, shared with retreat participants: $825

For shared rooms, we will aim to have gender-segregated accommodations whenever possible depending on room availability.

Commuter (No overnight stay): $755
If you prefer to commute to the retreat, this fee covers all meals and instruction but does not include overnight accommodations.

Questions? Contact us.

Payment options below:

Terms and Conditions:

Cancellation Policy and Non-Refundable Terms:

By signing this agreement, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms regarding the retreat:

1. Cancellation by Organiser: In the event that the retreat must be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to, issues with the venue or other factors beyond our control, we will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative solution, such as rescheduling the event. 

2. No Refunds: Due to the nature of event planning, the fees associated with this event are non-refundable under any circumstances. This includes but is not limited to cases of cancellation, early departure, or personal inability to attend.

3. Alternative Options:

   - Transfer to Rescheduled Event: If the event is rescheduled, you may transfer your registration to the new event date at no additional charge.

   - Transfer to Future Event: If the new date does not work for you, you may choose to transfer your registration to a future event, class, workshop, or retreat hosted by Penn Studio School within 12 months of the original event date.

   - Credit for Future Events: If you are unable to attend a rescheduled event or a future event, you may receive a credit to be applied toward another retreat, class, workshop, or event within 12 months. The credit is non-transferable and must be used by the end of 12 months from the date offered.

4. Cancellation by Participant: Participants must cancel their participation in the retreat no later than June 30, 2025. Participants will receive credit to be used for any program offered by Penn Studio School. No refunds will be given.

Be sure you are able to attend before completing your registration.

Workshop Material list

Suggested Materials List (Provided by the Instructor)

These are the materials recommended for the retreat. A few brand options are listed for each color on the palette, ordered from most expensive to least expensive. This is the palette typically used, with the philosophy to bring only what is needed for the day—no more. Participants are encouraged to try these materials, but are welcome to use any colors or materials they prefer. There is no need to purchase all new pigments specifically for this class.

If only one new pigment is to be tried, the Transparent Earth Yellow pigment is highly recommended if it has not been used before.

Palette Colors (Pick ONE tube from each color group for a total of 9 colors)

Opaque Yellow (Warm)

• (Blick Artist) Cadmium Yellow Medium

• (Rembrandt) Cadmium Yellow Medium

• (Grumbacher) Cadmium/Barium Yellow Medium

Opaque Red

• (Blick Artist) Cadmium Red Light

• (Rembrandt) Cadmium Red Light

• (Grumbacher) Cadmium Barium Red Light

• (Grumbacher) Grumbacher Red

• (Winsor Newton) Windsor Red

Transparent Earth Yellow

• (Old Holland) Transparent Oxide Yellow Lake

• (Gamblin) Transparent Earth Yellow

• (Rembrandt) Transparent Oxide Yellow

• (Grumbacher) Transparent Yellow Oxide

Transparent Earth Red

• (Gamblin) Transparent Earth Red

• (Rembrandt) Transparent Oxide Red

• (Grumbacher) Transparent Red Oxide

Transparent Earth Green

• Any brand of Sap Green (preferably the darkest available, such as Grumbacher).

Transparent Blue

• Any brand of Ultramarine Blue (look for the darkest available).

• (Gamblin) Ultramarine Blue

• (Old Holland) Ultramarine Blue

Cool Transparent Red

• Any brand of Alizarin Crimson (preferably a dark one, such as Winsor Newton).

Cool Transparent Green

• Phthalo Green (any brand)

• (Windsor Newton) Windsor Green

• Viridian Green (if Phthalo Green is unavailable; again, look for the darkest option)

White (Large Tube)

• Any brand or type of white is acceptable.

• (Gamblin) Flake White Replacement

• Zinc White (cooler and more transparent)

• Titanium White (more opaque and bright)

• Lead White or Flake White (thicker)

Medium

• Original Liquin is recommended for its consistency and drying rate. For landscape painting, small empty paint tubes can be filled with it for easy use. However, any medium can be used, depending on preference.

Thinner

• Cheap mineral spirits from the hardware store are recommended. For convenience, enough for a day's painting can be placed in an 8 oz. Nalgene container:EMS Nalgene HDPE Storage Bottle 8 oz.

Brushes

• Filbert-style brushes in sizes ranging from 1/4 inch to 1 inch are recommended for small 10"x10" paintings. A larger brush should be used whenever possible. Avoid bringing a large collection of tiny brushes. Blick's Masterstroke series is a good choice, but any brushes on sale are fine. It is recommended to bring no more than 5 brushes. A palette knife is also useful, as well as tools to manipulate paint on the canvas. A soft watercolor mop brush and a small rubber scraper can be helpful.

Additional Supplies

• Rags or paper towels

• Plastic bag

• Sunscreen

Support (Painting Surface)

• 1/4 inch thick birch plywood is preferred for painting. It can be purchased at a lumber yard and cut as needed. 3-4 coats of acrylic gesso are recommended to prepare the surface.

• Mylar (Dura-Lar), taped to a foam core, can also be used. This will be discussed in the workshop.

• It is recommended to bring a few different types of painting surfaces (canvas, wood board, paper, Mylar, etc.). Cheap canvas boards (canvas wrapped around cardboard) are not recommended, as they tend to produce poor-quality paintings.