Retreat Schedule for 2024-25
Please join us in the charming Mexican back country unspoiled by mass tourism,
The settings offer a true adventure and unique opportunity to have fun
while learning from the experts.
Please read below about details of upcoming workshops.
Make sure you browse our About and Gallery page to learn about our facility,
magnificent jungle settings, surrounding villages and their people,
flora and fauna and much more.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email Jane and Dallas at janerom@shaw.ca
This retreat is full!
November 20-30, 2024
IMPRESSIONISTIC COLOUR
with Michael Downs
Step into the vibrant world of Impressionistic Color
Leave tonal conceptual painting behind you… and boldly step into the vibrant world of impressionistic color.
You will explore how light, and therefore color, creates form.
Through quick studies, you will heighten your visual sensitivity to see your surroundings in a whole new “light.”
Space is limited to eight students
This retreat is almost full! (one spot left)
PART 1
January 8- 15, 2025
PAINTING FAST AND FURIOUS
with Doug Swinton
Big brushes and bold decisions. Faster, Looser, Bigger, Bolder.
Take the fear out of painting and decision making.
Simplifying composition, colour choices and brush marks we will develop these studies into finished works.
Each day will consist of painting exercises that will loosen you up, speed you up and help you paint with far more accuracy.
This year is bigger and better than ever.
Three options: Fast and Furious, The Deep Dive or choose the full meal deal, both workshops.
Whether you paint with laser focus high realism or you are an off the wall abstract artist these courses will give the building blocks and principles that relate to all forms of painting no mater what medium you paint in.
This retreat is full! (waiting list)
PART 2
January 15- 25, 2025
THE DEEP DIVE
with Doug Swinton
“Learn to paint anything you ever wanted with confidence”
Through both studio and plein air painting we will take a deeper dive into concepts of how to set yourself up for ending up with stronger designs.
2 days of design and composition lessons. 2 days of how to add life to your paintings.
1 day of Photography. 2 days of outdoor painting on location. Boats beers and beaches.
This retreat is full! (waiting list)
February 5 - February 14, 2025
EXPRESSIVE PAINTINGS
Through Design, Colour and Tone
with Oksana Zhelisko
Immerse yourself in the local culture and create a visual art story on your canvases.
Whether you are a seasoned or aspiring acrylic or oil artist, this retreat is designed to elevate your observational skills and visual problem solving.
The primary focus will be on design/composition, colour, values and mark makings in order to achieve a strong result in your paintings.
February 19 - 28, 2025
BOLD STROKES, BRILLIANT COLORS: Journeying into Painting Techniques and Creative Visualization
PART 1
with Dominik Modlinski
‘Unleash Your Creative Potential: Discover Painting Techniques and Visualization in a supportive environment’
Feb 28 - March 5, 2025
EXTRA BONUS !
‘BEYOND THE SURFACE: EXPLORING THE AUTHENTIC MEXICO’
PART 2
with Dominik Modlinski
‘Join us for a painting adventure immersed in the rustic charm of rural Mexico’
This retreat is full! (waiting list)
March 12 - 21, 2025
SUNSHINE PALLETTE MEXICO
with Margaret Ferraro
“Colour revelations in MEXICO”
Our first focus will be to accurately define the Mexican pallette, intensity of colour, that not only reflects the landscape, water and sky, but also the gorgeous Mexican craft and artwork we’ll be exposed to.
Reds, gold and oranges will come alive, in contrast to the deep greens of local foliage and plant life.
Whether you work in oil, pastel or other mediums, we’ll be about good composition and colour first, so feel free to work in any medium you like.
This retreat is full! (waiting list)
March 26 - April 5, 2025
VIBRANT PAINTINGS In ACRYLIC and OIL
with Marla Blackwell
Come ‘loosen up' with Marla and discover how to create paintings in a fun, energized and ‘painterly' way!
Join Marla in a fun and energized week of painting in any medium! This will be a non-intimidating class on learning the basic fundamentals of how to capture the essence of painting.
April 9 -16, 2025
ABSTRACT MEXICO!
Find your mark…
with Susan Woolgar
Immerse yourself in the rich and varied landscapes surrounding the Casa Buena Art Retreat. Working on-site with your sketchbook and a selection of drawing and painting tools, you will learn to observe the textures, shapes and energy of your location.
After a fantastic morning of discovery, you will return to the open-air studio at Casa Buena for a group critique.