workshop info

Watercolor Painting Workshops

Workshop Materials List

Participants in this workshop will learn the techniques to paint seascapes, still lifes, figures, landscapes, or other subjects. Participants will learn multiple watercolor techniques including glazing, washes, dry brush, masking, lifting, etc., also composition design, values, and use of color temperatures. Students will complete one "primary" painting during the workshop, the complexity of which is determined by the length of the workshop. Participants may receive reference photos prior to the workshop and are responsible for drawing the subject onto their own watercolor paper before the workshop begins. In addition, students may also complete one or more "study" paintings during the workshop. The studies are used to practice the many techniques that we cover during the lessons. Each workshop is unique and a different subject is painted in each class. Shorter workshops may focus on specific features, elements, or techniques of painting, such as just trees, skies, compositions, color mixing, etc. 

Materials list:

• Watercolor paper, at least 140# or heavier..

• Several smaller scraps or a small pad of watercolor paper, for practicing brush strokes

• Removable masking fluid

• Pencil and eraser

• water containers

• Paper towels

• 1" flat watercolor brush

• Large round brushes, at least one should be #12 or larger

• Squirrel mop brush, medium size (4, 5, or 6)

• Paints: Indigo, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Payne's Grey, Sepia, Green Gold,  Violet, Yellow Ochre, a warm and a cool red, and any other colors you like to use. Bring your usual palette of colors! Click here to see the colors I use most often 

Architectural Drafting and Rendering Workshop

Participants in this specialty workshop will learn the techniques to draw and paint portraits of homes, buildings, and other structures. They will learn how to create perspective in their compositions, draw and paint trees and landscaping elements, and depict architectural features such as siding, stucco, brick, shingles, windows, etc. Participants will work from their own photos or blueprints, which must be sized to correspond to their watercolor paper.

Materials List:

• 140# watercolor paper

• Several smaller scraps or a pad of watercolor paper for praticing brushstrokes.

• Removable masking fluid

• Lightbox and extension cord

• T Square or ruler

• water containers

• Pencil and eraser

• Paper towels

• One inch flat watercolor brush

• Round brushes in assorted sizes, plus any other brushes you like to use.

• Paints: Bring an assortment of professional quality paints, plus the usual colors for landscapes.

Besides being an internationally fine artist, Annie Strack is also a commercial artist specializing in Architectural Renderings. Her renderings are in the collections of numerous architects, builders, contractors, and home owners, and have been published in dozens of periodicals and magazines.

Acrylic Painting Workshops

Participants in this workshop will learn how to mix and use acrylic paints. All of the various mediums and auxiliaries  that are available to use with acrylics will be explained, and artists will learn the skills and techniques to master this medium.  Under-painting, glazing, impasto, and more will be covered with students learning how to pair the right mediums to achieve the desired effects. Artists will learn to use all the appropriate materials, surfaces, and tools as well as composition and color lessons needed to create masterful paintings with ease. 

Oil Painting Workshops

Participants in my oil painting workshops will learn how to mix colors and use mediums and solvents with oil paints. Special care is given to proper use and safety of materials including ventilation and cleaning. Artists will learn techniques for under painting and glazing, layering paint, reductive painting, impasto, and more. Students will be introduced to the different types of auxiliaries and mediums used with oil painting and the myriad of amazing effects that can be achieved. 

Plein Air Painting Workshops

In my plein painting painting workshops, students learn how to use their camera to scout locations and views, and capture what they see using a variety of mediums. Students will work with cameras, sketchbooks, pen and ink, watercolors, and oils, and on prepped boards and/or paper. Students should expect to paint more than one panting each day in this workshop. Students will learn how to create great compositions, mix colors using limited palettes, how to deal with changing light, use colors and values to enhance compositions, and techniques for faster and more accurate painting. You will also learn how to use a variety of mediums and materials, and how pack and carry your gear efficiently. This workshop is available for all mediums and supply lists will depend on which mediums you wish to work with. I only teach one workshop overseas each year and I choose an exciting new location for each trip. The overseas workshops sell out quickly with returning students, so be sure to watch for announcements when registration opens for the next one! 

Art Business and Marketing Workshops

Art Business and Marketing workshops can be tailored to fit the needs of any group, and the length of the workshop can be adjusted according to the topics that the group would like to learn. Topics include: Social Media (blogging, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Linked In, etc.,) writing (resume, bio, artist statement, cover letters, proposals, press releases), Business planning (creating business goals, pricing, budgeting, scheduling), Marketing (setting budgets, tracking, creating promo materials, branding, inventory tracking,), Gaining credentials (choosing shows, entering, how to win, techniques of getting name recognition), Organizing the studio, customer relations and selling, and other related topics. Students will need to bring their existing promotional materials for critiques, and expect to work on new materials during the workshop. Participants must bring mobile devices to workshops that focus on Social Media or internet marketing.

Since 2005, Annie Strack has shared her extensive knowledge and experience of art business and marketing through her monthly columns and feature articles in Professional Artist Magazine, the premier national business magazine for visual artists. She also freelances for other magazines and publications. 

Workshop coordinators can click here to request information about hosting an Annie Strack workshop in your area! 

In the 40+ years that Annie has been teaching, only once has one of her workshops not sold out to full capacity with additional students on a waiting list. In fact, her teaching is so popular that art centers and artist organizations routinely use her workshops as major fundraisers and schedule multiple workshops again and again. Contact us for information on how you can bring one of these profitable workshops to your community! 

Annie has taught countless workshops, classes, and demonstrations for artist organizations and art centers, including:

New Orleans Art Association (LA), Salem County Art League (NJ), Royal Corner Gallery (LA), Westbank Art Guild (LA), Howard Pyle Studios (DE), St Bernard Art Guild (LA), Lacombe Art Center (LA), Madisonville Art League (LA), San Benito Artists (CA), Mispillion Art League (DE), Community Arts Center (PA), Le Petite Art Guild (LA), Brandywine Valley Plein Air (DE), Louisiana Art and Artists Guild (LA), Jefferson Art Guild (LA), 4-H (FL, SD, & Guam), Gulf Coast Art Association (MS), Westwego Art Center (LA), Slidell Art League (LA), Louisiana Watercolor Society (LA), Delaware Watercolor Society (DE), Philadelphia Watercolor Society (PA), Hawaii Watercolor Society (HI),  Pennsylvania Watercolor Society (PA), Baltimore Watercolor Society (MD), International Watercolor Society, Louisiana Art Association (LA), St. Charles Art Guild (LA), Lacombe Chamber of Commerce (LA), International Society of Professional Artists, Mandeville Middle School (LA), Lake Pontchartrain Maritime Museum (LA), United States Watercolor Society, Madisonville Elementary School (LA), Metairie Art Guild (LA), Winterthur Museum (DE), Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen (DE), Gloucester County Art League (NJ), Ocean City Art League (MD), Workshops in Charleston (SC), Southern Artists Gallery (LA), New Jersey Artists and Educators (NJ), Cazenovia Watercolor Society (NY), Art of the Carolinas (NC), Artistic Harmonies Association, Art Chat Online, Artists Network University,  Chartpak, Royal Talens, Canson, Hahnemuhle, Sennelier, d'Arches, Jerry's Artarama, Plaza Art Stores, French Escapade Tours (Spain), Provence Art Experience (France), Italiana Tours (Italy), and many more.  

Many of Annie's students have gone on to become successful art teachers themselves, and often come back year after year to learn even more skills and techniques that they can then pass onto their own students. 

In addition to her traditional classical art education, Annie is also an industry trained Art Materials Expert and offers demonstrations and instruction in all mediums.