Brightwood Workshops

Brightwood Studios is located at the western base of beautiful Mt. Hood -- just 45 minutes away from Portland International Airport, along Highway 26. Nestled among the wooded foothills of the Cascade Range, this rustic retreat features two large classrooms, easy paved access, and enough majestic mountain scenery to inspire even the most timid artist. Lily ponds, terraced gardens, tumbling mountain streams, and well-groomed forest trails invite the artist to wander, linger, and create. At the end of the day, unwind with a walk in the woods. In the evening, you will want to gather around the fire to hear pioneer stories, roast marshmallows, and gaze at the stars, perfectly framed between lofty moonlit peaks. Nearby, you will find a variety of accommodations restaurants, resort facilities, and fly fishing streams, golf, unlimited hiking trails, and shops displaying the work of local artisans. There is also year-round skiing on Mt. Hood.

Although step-by-step projects are completed in class, these fun and informative workshops are meant to provide the participant with the basic concepts needed to move confidently into the creation of original art. Beginners are welcome. Questions and experimentation are encouraged. Art fundamentals such as: drawing, color theory, value, contrast, and design are a key part of the workshop experience. Workshops from the beginning techniques, to intense study groups, covering a variety of subjects -- each reflecting Claudia's realistic nature inspired style. Most of the materials for the pen, ink, and watercolor classes are provided on a loan basis, as part of the workshop fee.

Special two day "theme" workshops are offered during the year, centered around specific subjects or techniques, in which students work both in the classroom and "out in the field," in sunlit meadows and shady mountain forests. Inquire about private one-on-one art retreats, where the guest chooses the subject, and medium, and stays on location to be pampered and immersed in the ultimate art experience.

You are invited to join Claudia for an art retreat at Brightwood Studios. Let yourself be inspired by the majestic surroundings, invigorated by crisp mountain air, relaxed by bird songs, and pampered by sumptuous mountain meals. And plenty of time to do what you like best -- sketching and painting. Classes are small with lots of individual attention given, and taught at a pace that will allow you to enjoy your creativity.

Each workshop includes instruction, handouts, most materials, and lunch. Limited camping (tent and RV) is available on site (by reservation, first come, first served, no charge) and RV parks and motels are nearby.

In this two day workshop you will learn how to mix all the colors you will ever need from six primary hues. During the process of creating your own in depth color wheel, you will become familiar with how to use complimentary colors to mix natural shadow colors, beautiful browns and lively grays. We will be working in water color, but the theory learned will pertain to all mediums. Class will run from 9:00 AM until 4:30 PM and will include lunch and an afternoon snack. All supplies are provided. Cost $210

This fun class is designed to help the beginner see the world with the eyes of an artist. Learn to convert subjects into simple shapes which are no longer overwhelming to sketch. Claudia will show you easy ways to find drawing errors, and better yet -- how to fix them. If perspective drawing has confused you in the past, give it another try. In this class it will be both simple and surprisingly enjoyable. Jim's homemade brownies will accompany the perspective lesson. You may gain weight, but I promise you will leave my studio with greater drawing skills. Students will need to bring a sketch pad suitable for pencil, charcoal, and light water color work.

This two day drawing class, Class runs from 9 AM to 4:30 PM each day. Lunch and an afternoon snack are provided. Cost is $210.

Drawing Animals in Pen and Ink -- Friday & Saturday, July 11th & 12th, 2008

This class will show you how to draw the animal forms of cats, dogs, horses, birds, and more. Students need not have drawing skills to successfully take part. Claudia will teach you how to see the simple geometric shapes that make up animal forms and fail proof methods of setting them down on paper. Pen and ink will be used to add details, and texture to animal portraits. You will learn to create lifelike eyes, hair, and other features with the stroke of a pen. An 8 X 10 wolf portrait will be completed the second day of the class. (As shown in picture above) Bring a sketching tablet. All other materials will be provided.

This two day drawing class, Class runs from 9 AM to 4:30 PM each day. Lunch and an afternoon snack are provided. Cost is $210.

During Day One, Claudia will teach you how to draw the "essence" of what you see in your sketch journal, even if you have never drawn before. We will be working primarily in pencil and pen & ink, but will touch lightly on water color washes. The class will focus on the depiction of landscapes, trees, buildings, water, animals, and simple human forms.

Day Two, weather permitting, we will venture into the Cascade forest for a short walk and ample sketching experience. Students will need to bring a journal or sketch pad which can accommodate both pencil and pen & ink. (Claudia recommends the Komtrak refillable sketch book, filled with quality watercolor paper, It is available online from Art Media.) All other supplies are included. Class runs from 9 AM to 4:30 PM each day. Lunch and an afternoon snack are provided. Cost is $210.

If the sight of waves crashing to shore on a stretch of sandy beach or a rocky outcropping, makes your fingers want to pick up a brush and paint, this class is for you. Claudia will show you how to mix the colors of the cold Pacific waters, how to capture the foamy white mantle of the surf, and how to paint the rocks and sandy beaches with textural realism. A watercolor seascape will be completed on day two. Students will need to bring a bottle of Masquepen or a bottle of Winsor Newton masking fluid to class, plus a tablet of watercolor paper, 9" x 12", cold press (Winsor Newton, Arches, or Cotman). All other materials will be provided.

This two day drawing class, Class runs from 9 AM to 4:30 PM each day. Lunch and an afternoon snack are provided. Cost is $210.