Coastal Maine with Tom Hughes
2022 Dates TBD
Oils with Tom Hughes
Our four day summer painting holiday in Maine -- providing maximal social distancing and safety precautions -- takes place in the quintessential fishing village of New Harbor, one of the last working harbors remaining along the mid-coast. The workshop is designed for all levels of painters, from pure beginners to the most experienced plein air artists. Instructor Tom Hughes' workshops include demonstrations by the artist, individual instruction and critique, universal encouragement, and lots of laughs. We will be walking on rocks, sand, bridges and docks -- participants should be comfortable with carrying their gear on uneven surfaces. Not recommended for people with limited mobility.
Taught in English
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: TBD
Tom Hughes painting on the ocean side of New Harbor
In this workshop, participants will be instructed/coached at each person's individual skill and experience level, from outright beginner to experienced outdoor painter. The fundamentals (proportion, values, color) will be explained and demonstrated as much and as individually as students desire, with finer points like aerial perspective, color harmony, use of mediums, thin vs. thick paint, washes, scumbles, ways to hold the brush, etc., addressed at any time.
This workshop is meant to be an intensive hands-on learning experience for those who desire it: it's a chance to build or reinforce skills and try new things without the pressure of having to make "finished" paintings that you have to sign. Have you always wanted to make painterly pictures with big fat brushstrokes but couldn't quite bring yourself to carry it through? Would you like to be able to draw a bit better, make things look their proper sizes, but can't always figure out why things don't look quite right? Maybe practice mixing colors from a limited palette? We can do any of these things -- the instructor is there to give you ideas, technical advice, moral support, demonstrations -- whatever insight he has accrued from 22 years of full-time painting.
Typical Schedule
Subject to change depending on weather, desires of group, or other unforseen circumstances.
Monday, August 17
4:00 pm Arrival at Gosnold's Arms, settle in to your cottage
6:00 pm Grab the wine & cheese welcome basket we provide in your cottage and join us for a socially distanced social hour on the lawn
7:00 pm Dinner delivered to your cottage
Tuesday, August 18 - Thursday, August 20
8:00 - 9:45 am breakfast
10:00 am painting demo or discussion
10:30 - 1:00 pm plein air painting
1:00 - 2:30 pm picnic lunch
2:30 - 5:30 pm plein air painting
7:00 pm Dinner delivered to your cottage
Friday, August 21
8:00 - 9:45 am breakfast
10:00 am check out of cottage
10:30 - 1:00 pm plein air painting
1:00 - 2:30 pm picnic lunch
2:30 - 5:30 pm plein air painting
6:00 pm farewell drinks at Shaw's Fish & Lobster Wharf
Painting Instructor Tom Hughes
Tom Hughes has been a professional artist for 25 years. He paints figures, portraits and landscapes in various media: oil, acrylic, watercolor and alkyd. He has had solo exhibitions at galleries in San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, the New England states, and France. In 2017, Hughes was invited to become a member of the Plein Air Painters of America. His work has been featured in Plein Air magazine, American Artist Watercolor magazine and Fine Art Connoisseur. Grand prize winner in the 2019 Annual Plein Air Convention competition, Tom is one of the artists whose work is featured in a book about watercolor painting skills, Watercolor Painting by Tom Hoffmann, published in 2012 by Watson-Guptill.
Holiday Director Kate Kilbourne
Since 2000, Kate Kilbourne has lived part of the year in San Francisco, California, and part of the year in Trôo, France. Kate fell in love with Cadiz, Spain and now spends most of the year between France and Spain, with summer and winter holidays in the States. She is fluent in French and is learning Spanish as fast as she can!
"Back Cove", painting by Tom Hughes
"In for the Evening", painting by Tom Hughes
View of New Harbor from the Gosnold Arms
The "Back Cove" in New Harbor, a favorite spot to paint
Classic Coastal Maine Lodging in Private
Gosnold Arms Inn Cottages
Located on the historic Pemaquid Peninsula in mid-coast Maine, the Gosnold Arms is situated at the entrance to New Harbor which is a true Maine working harbor. Established in 1925, the Gosnold Arms is noted for its congenial atmosphere.
We have selected this venue, not only for it's beautiful location, but also for the safety of Lincoln County which has had very few cases of Covid-19. The state of Maine has the seventh lowest rate of Covid-19 cases in the U.S. Our goal, and the goal of the Gosnold Arms, is to provide a safe, socially distanced retreat designed to allow painters to fully relax and focus on the beautiful surroundings and their painting. In order to allow for maximum social distancing we have reserved cottage units, each with its own private entrance, bathroom, double bed, and kitchen area with small fridge, coffee maker, and microwave oven. The Gosnold Arms is fully compliant with Maine state and local regulations regarding Covid-19 and will operate using social distancing and cleaning and disinfecting measures according to official guidelines posted by the Maine Hospitality Assoc., State of Maine Covid-19 Response, and CDC guidelines.
The Gosnold provides simple yet comfortable accommodations and has a breakfast porch overlooking the harbor. The Gosnold wharf provides an excellent place to watch the harbor activities.
Breakfast and dinner will be provided by the inn, and brown bag lunches will be packed for picnicking while painting. Breakfast will be served on the porch of the inn, or if you prefer, can be taken back to your cottage. Dinners will be delivered right to your cottage, featuring seafood from a local favorite, Shaw's Fish & Lobster Wharf, as well as Gosnold Arms specialties such as New England Clam Chowder, Seafood Fra Diavolo, Traditional Beef Stroganoff, Spaghetti Squash Sauté, etc. You'll be able to choose your evening meal from the menu each day. All food prep will be done in accordance with safety and guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting.
Our goal, and the goal of the Gosnold Arms, is to provide a safe, socially distanced retreat designed to allow painters to fully relax and focus on the beautiful surroundings and their painting.
Testimonials
"Thank you Kate for your wonderful organization of our well being for the entire plein air painting holiday. The hotel was absolutely marvelous and the food every night couldn’t have been better. Thank you Tom for your plein air painting workshop which was instructional and enjoyable. We don’t have opportunity to do that in HK and certainly gained much from your help."
"What a well organized trip and outstanding workshop. We have became accustomed to that by now! Thank you for the freedom and excellent tuition."
Included in Holiday
-
4 days of instruction
-
4 nights lodging in private cottage
-
Monday Welcome Wine & Cheese gathering
-
Daily breakfast provided by the Gosnold Arms Inn
-
Daily picnic lunch
-
Nightly dinners delivered to your cottage from Shaw's Fish & Lobster Wharf and the Gosnold Arms Inn
Not Included
-
Transportation to or from venue
-
Travel insurance
-
Medical insurance
-
Painting Materials
-
Additional food or wine -- market is nearby
Cost
The cost for the 4 day/4 night holiday, inclusive of everything listed under "Included in Holiday", varies according to whether you wish to stay in a cottage by yourself (single occupancy), or with your partner (double occupancy). We also offer a discounted rate for non-painters who might wish to accompany their partner.
Double Occupancy: $1,400 per person
Single Occupancy: $1,750 per person
Non-painter: $1,150
(based on double occupancy)