A strong understanding of natural color and lighting is an important asset to any painter. Among the challenges of outdoor painting, desert scenes tend to be some of the most difficult subjects to paint. A painter needs to also understand the dynamics of atmospheric perspective to know how to change the color of rocks and foliage as they move back into the landscape. Mike will share his methods for tackling simple and complex desert scenes. Through demos and lectures, he will show students how to address every aspect of their work, from value, composition design, and shape to color hierarchies, paint texture, brushwork, and more. This is a great workshop
for anyone interested in painting and wanting to learn how to capture a rich sense of natural lighting and color into their artwork. Students can choose any medium to paint with—Mike will be painting in acrylic.

Workshop Full. Waiting list available.

Join artist Mike Hernandez for an immersive two-day plein air painting experience in the beautiful Hood River region. Known for his bold use of color and expressive brushwork, Mike will be teaching primarily with gouache, while encouraging participants to paint in whichever medium they feel most comfortable—gouache or acrylic.

Over the course of two days, participants will explore the fundamentals of plein air painting, with a focus on simplifying shapes, capturing light, and developing strong compositions. Weather permitting, we’ll paint outdoors in Hood River and the surrounding landscape, with opportunities to capture the breathtaking views of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge in its rich Spring colors.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the workshop will move indoors to a studio setting, where Mike will guide students in using on-site sketches, photos, and memory to translate the plein air experience into finished studio paintings. Through demonstrations, group discussions, and one-on-one instruction, you’ll gain new insight into building a painting from start to finish and learn how to infuse your work with clarity and atmosphere.

This workshop is designed for artists of all levels who want to improve their plein air skills, discover the versatility of gouache, and enjoy a supportive environment surrounded by Oregon’s inspiring natural beauty.

Materials are not included. Students will receive a 20% discount for materials purchased for this class. Just show us your registration at checkout.

Since its 1909 inauguration, the California Art Club has been dedicated to promoting and supporting contemporary-traditional fine art through championing painting and sculpture featuring representational practices. The Annual Gold Medal Exhibition is the most vital platform for demonstrating the best of the realist genre. While participating artists employ time-honored fine art techniques, their featured works in this un-themed exhibition seek to innovate with modern messages that address societal issues from diversity to the environment.

For the 115th installment of our signature event, we are honored that the Hilbert Museum of California Art will host the exhibition.

The rich tradition of this highly anticipated exhibition can be explored through the exquisite works of paintings and sculptures juried into previous Gold Medal Exhibitions.

This is the first year that i have ever submitted to the Gold Medal Show and I am pleased to announce that my 24x36 oil painting “Edge of The Western Sea” has been selected for this show.

Modern Impressionist Magazine will be hosting an inclusive and immersive workshop retreat with master artists Michele Bryne and Manon Sander in one of the most gorgeous Chateau's in all of France, in the heart of the Loire valley. Join us for this one of a kind event!

• 8 day/7 night stay at a beautiful chateau in the heart of the Loire Valley

• 7 day immersive workshop with master artists Michele Byrne and Manon Sander

• Gourmet catering for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Transportation to and from the airport

• Transportation for two unforgetable painting excursions

Explore the power of simplification in landscape and seascape painting. Through demonstrations, lectures, and individualized guidance, students will learn how to reduce visual clutter, design stronger compositions, and focus on the essential shapes, values, and color relationships that make a painting read clearly and confidently.

Mike will demonstrate primarily in gouache, emphasizing efficient brushwork, strong value structure, and thoughtful editing- principles that apply to any medium. Students are welcome to paint in the medium of their choice, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, or gouache.

This workshop is for students of all levels and is ideal for artists who want to strengthen their design instincts, paint with greater clarity, and discover how less truly can be more.

This 3-day workshop will cover the important fundamentals of composition, color relationships, lighting, atmospheric perspective, simplification and shape design through the use of gouache, acrylic or oils. This is a great workshop for any artist that would like to learn how to capture a sense of natural and or stylized lighting/color into their work.

Mike will start off the 3-day workshop with a lecture Friday morning and demos in the afternoon, covering color, composition design, lighting design, simplification and atmospheric perspective. Lecture will include still digital images.

Day two and three will be a full session of outdoor painting with Mike going around to give hands on instruction.

Langley on Whidbey Island, WA is easily one of the most tranquil and inspiring places I’ve ever taught a workshop. The landscape is a beautiful blend of tall pines, open farmland, and serene coastal views, all wrapped in a soft, ever-changing Pacific Northwest light. Gentle shorelines meet expansive vistas of the Cascades, creating a setting that feels both intimate and expansive at the same time. The quiet rhythm of the island invites you to slow down, observe more deeply, and fully take in your surroundings. It’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave.

Mike will start off the 3-day workshop with a lecture Friday morning and demos in the afternoon, covering color, composition design, lighting design, simplification and atmospheric perspective. Lecture will include still digital images.

Day two and three will be a full session of outdoor painting with Mike going around and give hands on instruction.

Gain invaluable insights into capturing a sense of natural or stylized lighting and color with gouache! A strong understanding of natural color and lighting is an important asset to any environment artist or fine art painter. Among the challenges of outdoor painting, water & rocks tend to be a couple of the most difficult subjects to paint. They need to come across as both effortless and convincing.

In this 3-day gouache workshop, Mike will cover the important fundamentals of composition design, color relationships, staging the light, atmospheric perspective, simplification, and shape design. (students are welcome to use oil or acrylic if desired). This is a great workshop for anyone interested in painting who wants to learn how to capture a rich sense of natural lighting and color into their artwork. You can choose any medium to paint with—Mike will be using gouache. Each day will start with a painting demo by Mike followed by students painting on location. Monterey Peninsula locations to be determined.