Workshops — Pickle Street School Studio

Check out the 2025 workshops! CONTACT NUMBER: 269.686.6617

Pickle Street School Studio

Pickle Street School Studio is a one-room school building that has been renovated into a working art studio located in scenic Monterey Township, Michigan. Transformed into an art studio, Pickle Street offers a variety of arts and enrchment classes and workshops.

2980 134th Ave Hopkins, MI, 49328 United States

616-896-9090

269-686-6617

2980 134th Avenue, Hopkins, Michigan

Filtering by: painting
THE JOY OF PAINTING WITH GOUACHE
May
15
to May 16
gouache

THE JOY OF PAINTING WITH GOUACHE

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Sharon Griffes Tarr

This workshop explores the varied effects of painting with gouache and it’s unique ability to be both opaque and transparent. You can play with the water-to-paint ratio to change the texture and coverage of your work to create depth and richness in your paintings.

Learn mixing of colors, experiment with creating various shades and tones. You might be surprised by the beautiful hues you can achieve. Gouache can be used on various surfaces like watercolor paper, illustration board, or even toned paper.

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BOTANICAL PAINTINGS IN WATERCOLOR
May
29
to May 30

BOTANICAL PAINTINGS IN WATERCOLOR

with James Johnson

Enjoy watercolor with Jim Johnson in this two day workshop. You will view a demonstration, discuss painting materials and with Jim’s guidance, work on your own paintings. Jim approaches botanical paintings more as a study than as a full blown painting. It's really a portrait of the botanical subject with no background to compete with the subject. He paints from life and up close to capture the structure and some of the interesting textures.

This is a great chance to expand your abilities in watercolor.

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PLEIN AIR: START TO FINISH
Jun
12
to Jun 13

PLEIN AIR: START TO FINISH

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

In this workshop, Richard Jordan, former director of the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan, will demonstrate the start to finish method he employs to bring a plein air painting to life. Capturing the mood of a landscape, Richard will help artists while working on location both days.

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PLEIN AIR: DEVELOPING ARTISTRY
Aug
14
to Aug 15

PLEIN AIR: DEVELOPING ARTISTRY

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

A painting is good, not because it looks like something, but rather because it FEELS like something. In this 2-day plein air workshop, Richard Jordan, former Director of the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan, will demonstrate his process for developing the poetry in painting. It’s not what you paint, but how you paint it that moves the needle from ordinary to something extra. He will give classroom and on-site demonstrations, working individually with each artist.

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DYNAMIC DESIGN THROUGH MOVEMENT AND COLOR
Sep
11
to Sep 12
gouache

DYNAMIC DESIGN THROUGH MOVEMENT AND COLOR

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Sharon Griffes Tarr

This workshop explores the use of design, color, contrast and movement in your painting. Sharon can help you increase viewer interest using your medium of choice. Great for advanced beginners and above skill levels in all painting mediums. This is a great chance to learn from a master artist!

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The Methods and Artistry of Plein Air Painting
Aug
15
to Aug 16

The Methods and Artistry of Plein Air Painting

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

In this workshop, Richard Jordan, director of the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan, will demonstrate the methods and artistry he employs to bring a plein air painting to life. Capturing the mood of a landscape, Richard will help artists while working on location both days.

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Capturing the Character of Trees
Aug
1
to Aug 2

Capturing the Character of Trees

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

We relate to trees on an emotional level and how we paint them can either show their beauty and majesty, or leave them looking generic and uninspired. In this workshop, Richard will demonstrate his approach to painting trees and how you can give them life and a believable presence in your work.

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Starting Strong, En Plein Air
Jul
18
to Jul 19

Starting Strong, En Plein Air

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

In this workshop, Richard Jordan, director of the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan, will help you start strong with a solid beginning. He will demonstrate the methods and artistry he employs to help your start-to-finish approach in bringing your plein air painting to life. He will give classroom and on-site demonstrations, working individually with each artist.

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PRACTICAL LESSONS IN OIL PAINTING
Jul
11
to Jul 12

PRACTICAL LESSONS IN OIL PAINTING

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

In this 2-day workshop, Richard will share his approach to painting and teach important keys to methods and knowledge of the medium. Discover a logical color palette and take the guesswork out of color mixing. Learn to avoid some common pitfalls. Richard will give demonstrations both days.

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Exploring the Versatility of Gouache
Jun
7
to Jun 8

Exploring the Versatility of Gouache

with Sharon Griffes Tarr

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, this workshop will offer an opportunity to explore plein air painting with the fun and forgiving medium of gouache. Learn color mixing, brush handling, paint consistency and technique options. Gouache is also a great sketching medium for water medium artists and oil and pastel painters.

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Learning techniques for Creative Impressionism
Oct
12
to Oct 13

Learning techniques for Creative Impressionism

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Barbara Schilling

This workshop will be focused on how to paint exciting, highly textured paintings filled with energy. Utilizing thick textures, bold brushwork and vibrant colors, you can make a subject full of energy. It’s this energy that communicates with the viewer!

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Starting Strong, En Plein Air
Jun
15
to Jun 16

Starting Strong, En Plein Air

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

In this workshop, Richard Jordan, director of the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan, will help you start strong with a solid beginning. He will demonstrate the methods and artistry he employs to help your start-to-finish approach in bringing your plein air painting to life. He will give classroom and on-site demonstrations, working individually with each artist.

CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

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The Methods and Artistry of Plein Air Painting
Aug
18
to Aug 19

The Methods and Artistry of Plein Air Painting

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

In this workshop, Richard Jordan, director of the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan, will demonstrate the methods and artistry he employs to bring a plein air painting to life. Capturing the mood of a landscape, Richard will help artists while working on location both days.

CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

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Capturing the Character of Trees
Jul
14
to Jul 15

Capturing the Character of Trees

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

We relate to trees on an emotional level and how we paint them can either show their beauty and majesty, or leave them looking generic and uninspired. In this workshop, Richard will demonstrate his approach to painting trees and how you can give them life and a believable presence in your work.

CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

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Painting Water With Confidence en Plein Air
Jun
16
to Jun 17

Painting Water With Confidence en Plein Air

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

In this 2-day workshop, Richard Jordan will give instruction and demonstrations in both the classroom and on location. You will also receive plenty of one-on-one help and a group critique each day. If the water you paint is less than convincing, take this opportunity to push your Plein air skills to another level and paint water with greater confidence.

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The Methods and Artistry of Plein Air Painting (repeated by popular demand)
Sep
10
to Sep 11

The Methods and Artistry of Plein Air Painting (repeated by popular demand)

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

In this workshop, Richard Jordan, director of the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan, will demonstrate the methods and artistry he employs to bring a plein air painting to life. Capturing the mood of a landscape, Richard will help artists while working on location both days.

CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

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The Methods and Artistry of Plein Air Painting
Aug
27
to Aug 28

The Methods and Artistry of Plein Air Painting

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

In this workshop, Richard Jordan, director of the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan, will demonstrate the methods and artistry he employs to bring a plein air painting to life. Capturing the mood of a landscape, Richard will help artists while working on location both days.

CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

View Event →
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Capturing the Character of Trees
Jul
30
to Jul 31

Capturing the Character of Trees

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

We relate to trees on an emotional level and how we paint them can either show their beauty and majesty, or leave them looking generic and uninspired. In this workshop, Richard will demonstrate his approach to painting trees and how you can give them life and a believable presence in your work.

CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

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Starting Strong, En Plein Air
Jun
25
to Jun 26

Starting Strong, En Plein Air

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

In this workshop, Richard Jordan, director of the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan, will help you start strong with a solid beginning. He will demonstrate the methods and artistry he employs to help your start-to-finish approach in bringing your plein air painting to life. He will give classroom and on-site demonstrations, working individually with each artist.

CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

View Event →
Share
Textures with Palette Knife and Brush
Sep
30
to Oct 1

Textures with Palette Knife and Brush

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Barbara Schilling

This workshop will be focused on how to paint exciting, highly textured paintings filled with energy. Utilizing color, textures, design and value you can make a subject vibrate. That energy can be peaceful and calming or lively and exciting.  It’s this energy that communicates with the viewer!

CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

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The Methods and Artistry of Plein Air Painting
Aug
28
to Aug 29

The Methods and Artistry of Plein Air Painting

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

In this workshop, Richard Jordan, director of the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan, will demonstrate the methods and artistry he employs to bring a plein air painting to life. He will give classroom and on-site demonstrations, working individually with each artist.

CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

View Event →
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Plein Air Skies & Atmospheric Perspective
Jul
31
to Aug 1

Plein Air Skies & Atmospheric Perspective

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

Skies set the mood for everything in a plein air painting. Sunny, cloudy, morning or evening. each casts it’s own unique light. Skies bathe the landscape in a full-range of values or limit them to a few. It also determines whether objects cast warm or cool shadows and have sharp or soft edges.

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How to Create 3-D Effects in Your Work
Jun
25
to Jun 27

How to Create 3-D Effects in Your Work

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Sharon Griffes Tarr

This workshop explores how we use and portray light effects, how value and color temperature are essential in creating visual distance and the feeling of space in art. You will address these three elements through lectures, instructor demo’s and from still life examples. There will be plenty of hands on attention working from still life, as well as landscape photographs.

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Capturing the Character of Trees
Jul
31
to Aug 1

Capturing the Character of Trees

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Richard Jordan

Trees are grand living things and we relate to them on an emotional level. As artists, we should feel something when we paint trees, yet often they are handled as props or filler. In this special workshop, Richard will demonstrate his approach to painting trees and how you can give them life and a believable presence in your work.

CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

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Architectural Landscape
Aug
24
to Aug 25

Architectural Landscape

  • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

with Connie Kuhnle

    No need to fear putting that beautiful structure in your painting or avoiding those inviting charming scenes because they contain buildings. In this workshop Connie will discuss and demonstrate how architecture can add interest to your painting, some simple perspective principles that will help you to "make it look right". How to make structures sit naturally in the landscape, and the importance of reflected light and more!

    CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

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    Plein Air: Painting Water with Confidence
    Aug
    1
    to Aug 2

    Plein Air: Painting Water with Confidence

    • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
    • Google Calendar ICS

    with Richard Jordan

    In this two day workshop, Richard Jordan, Director of the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan, will share his approach to painting convincing water, point out common mistakes and how to avoid them. He will paint classroom and lakeside demonstrations and give one on one instruction as well as group wide critiques. 

    CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

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    Painting Mystical Light in Watercolor (and Pastel)
    Jul
    12
    to Jul 13

    Painting Mystical Light in Watercolor (and Pastel)

    with Cedar Kindy

    Have you ever want to paint the mystical light of the forest? This one day workshop uses several of Nita Engle’s watercolor techniques which does just that. The techniques we will explore are wet on wet, throwing paint, floating color, spraying, and flooding. While this approach is intuitive, the second layer of painting is more thought out and controlled. In this particular painting we will articulate trees in a forest, which are backlit and reflected in the water. Watercolor will be the dominate medium, but we may use pastel to create opaque overlays in the reflections, or paint  a heron on the banks. No experience is necessary. Experienced painters will loosen up in their approach.  All supplies are included.

    CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

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    How To Paint Loose and with Suggestion
    Jun
    21
    to Jun 23

    How To Paint Loose and with Suggestion

    • Pickle Street School Studio (map)
    • Google Calendar ICS

    with Sharon Griffes Tarr

    In a good painting, the artist expresses what is important to them in a meaningful way.  An artist’s personal process is fundamental in supporting the manner in which a painting speaks to an audience. In this workshop, students will discover how to begin and maintain a painterly looseness and how and when to build suggested definition where it counts for masterful story-telling. The workshop will conclude with the instructor’s popular visual critique of painting on acetate over-layed on a student’s work to correct errors and add emphasis where needed.

    CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP DETAILS

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