ASIAN INK (SUMI-E) & WATERCOLOR - Asian ink painting on rice paper in Guatemala?? Of course!! Natural beauty anywhere inspires artists of all levels and Guatemala provides ideal subject matter for this medium - florals and wide-ranging vistas. Students will use Asian materials, such as bamboo brushes, Chinese ink, various watercolors and gouache to create beautifully inspired images on rice paper.

During daily demonstrations and painting sessions, instructor and award-winning painter Susan Frame will cover technique, composition and theory of both traditional and contemporary Sumi-e brush painting. Emphasis, however, will be placed on a more contemporary approach. Susan works with students individually, helping them develop a personalized style -- allowing them to utilize the paints and brushstrokes in a way that works for them. This class is appropriate for artists of all skill levels.

BIRDS, RUINS & VOLCANOES - This is a basic drawing workshop for those who would simply like the opportunity to draw the stunning scenery and a variety of the many unique birds found in Guatemala. Instructor and accomplished artist Robyn Smith specializes in drawing animals and participants of this workshop will have the opportunity to draw wonderfully colored birds and other animals native to Guatemala.

Robyn teaches with Conte compressed charcoal, Rives BFK paper and artists' quality pastels. She's found that even very experienced artists learn to better create form by first using charcoal beneath the pastels as well as throughout the entire drawing process. This creates three dimensionality by building up a range of values and creating a sense of space, depth and light. Participants will also learn how to use an eraser as a drawing tool for mark-making and blending. You'll be delighted to discover how to revitalize overworked areas of your drawing by using your eraser subtractively, digging deeply into the paper to pull up unwanted or muddy colors.

BOTANICAL ARTS AND NATURE SKETCHING THE TROPICAL FLORA OF GUATEMALA Join popular instructor and acclaimed artist Cynthia Padilla and like-minded art and nature enthusiasts documenting both the natural beauty and cultivated grounds and colonial gardens of Antigua, Guatemala. YouÕll spend unhurried time, lulled by the gentle breezes of "the land of eternal spring" and the soothing sounds of splashing fountains working Ôen plein airÕ (translate- -in intimate courtyard gardens) and at a nearby bromeliad filled coffee finca (farm).

COLONIAL RUINS, COBBLESTONE STREETS AND OTHER PICTURESQUE PAINTINGS - Join artist and popular instructor Sergio A. Solorzano for a visually exciting and unforgettable artistic experience at one of the most gorgeous 'on-location' locations in the world. This workshop focuses on learning and practicing the skills necessary to successfully paint the wonderful textures and colors found on old walls, cobblestone roads, red-tiled roofs, flower-filled courtyard gardens with many pilas and fountains, and landscapes with volcanoes and mountains -- details all found in abundance in Antigua.

Sergio begins each class with a demonstration of how to create a specific type of texture, such as old brick, rocks, crumbling paint, tiles etc... He will demonstrate in both oil/acrylics and watercolor. Then, as a class, you'll paint at a variety of nearby locations including the centuries old convent ruins of Santa Clara and Capuchinas, the luscious gardens of Casa Santo Domingo and Quinta de las Flores and at Tanque de la Union - where indigenous women still gather daily to wash their families clothes. Participants may expect to complete at least two 16x20 paintings during this workshop.

INTRO TO DRAWING -- FOR THOSE WHO SAY,, BUT I CAN'T DRAW !!! - If you are one of those folks (like me) who has always wanted to draw, however always says -- BUT I CAN'T DRAW !!! This is the workshop for you!! Join gifted artist Pat Rouse for this unique opportunity to finally try your hand at drawing -- lovely gardens, tumbling ruins with flowers overgowning the rocks and people -- indigenous Guatemalan women and children in their beautifully handwoven traditoinal 'traje'. ÔTrajeÕ is the colorful traditional dress still worn by many indigenous Guatemalans. The colors and patterns of the intricately handwoven blouses, called ÔhuipilsÕ, not to mention fascinating faces of all ages, will provide rich subject matter for your drawings.

Pat begins each class with a short demonstration of a variety of drawing techniques and mediums. However, her main focus is working independently with each student at their own skill level. Pat's success lies in her encouraging, non-threatening teaching style and ability to help artists discover renewed excitement in their work. She strives to help each student learn to put imageson paper without being critical of themselves, AND TO HAVE SOME FUN !!! "The goal is to become comfortable enough with what you are doing to become lost in it" according to Pat. Then you can loosen up, gain some confidence. It should be a playful experience. Then, ultimately, you become your own artist - creating and doing what you love to do.

EXPLORING THE FANTASY IN YOUR ART - Ever feel like you don't need help with your technique, but with what to create?? This workshop is designed for artists ready to explore how to more fully utilize their imagination and dreams for subject matter. Instructor and Guatemalan artist Deborah Du Flon will demonstrate how she utilizes poetry, color and composition to bring her feelings closer or put them away. Deborah is often asked where she gets the ideas for her lithe and spirit-filled paintings. Often, they are inspired by dreams.

Participants will read legends aloud, both Guatemalan and their own, and together discuss dreams, symbolism and how to paint around the feelings they arouse. Deb will work with students individually to help them creatively express the emotions they would like to portray and better utilize their imagination and dreams to explore the twists and turns of their creative minds.

HAND PAINTING ON SILK - Join British artist and designer Hilary Simon for a wonderful experience learning to paint on silk using the French technique of 'serti'.

The next stage is preparing a design and applying it onto the stretched silk. Progress is gained in little time - with marvellous and immediate results. The dyes are vibrant (so appropriate to work in Guatemala!) and you'll learn and experiment with a variety of methods to obtain unusual special effects. Painting on silk is very rewarding. The dyes flow beautifully onto the silk and colours merge and wonderful designs are created as if by magic!! Participants can expect to complete two or three designs/paintings during this workshop.

WATERCOLORS/ INK AND WASH - Here's a watercolor workshops for those looking to work on the basics of this medium. Instructor Marian Alstad works with each student's ability, but likes to start with the basics. She'll cover the elements of composition, value studies and demonstrate different ways to put washes on paper. She'll explain how to choose a paintable subject. This is particularily important when painting outdoors, as we do in this workshop. Artists often become overwhelmed when faced with too much detail.

You'll then concentrate on learning to see less - rather than more. With that new skill, you'll learn to quickly capture the essence of the subject in front of you by sketching with ink and adding color washes. Marian's skill lies in helping her students paint realistically -- but with a looser style.