Painting & Drawing
Code: D0511-25
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Open to All
Students of any skill and knowledge level.
From Plein-Air to the Studio: Landscape and Figure
Jun 30 - Jul 4, 2025
9AM-5PM
Concept
Explore today’s challenges in painting through observational exploration merged with abstract gestures and material experimentation. This exciting workshop takes place both outside and in the painting classroom. Students focus on smaller works outdoors, then enter the studio to translate them into larger works as they incorporate abstraction and color theory as well as various acrylic painting techniques. Students also get the chance to explore the figure and its place within the pictorial landscape by working from a live model. The focus is primarily live observation, with an exploratory approach to the practice of painting through material experimentation and dyeing of canvas as ways to build space and richness.
View All Painting & Drawing Workshops
Media & Techniques
Acrylic painting, plein-air painting, painting from a live model, canvas dyeing
Faculty
Esteban Cabeza de Baca & Heidi Howard
Esteban Cabeza de Baca and Heidi Howard have been collaborating for the past ten years. Both of their practices stem from the tradition of painting and delve into humanity’s most pressing concerns. Their site-specific installations question conventions of painting, authorship, gender, race, growth and humanity. Howard’s work stems from the practice of portraiture. They were born, raised, and currently live in Queens, NY. Their first monograph “Colors make us do vibrant deeds!” was published by Phoebe Press. Cabeza de Baca was born along the US Mexico border of San Ysidro, CA and grew up in west Denver, CO in the Chicano community. Cabeza de Baca’s work is in numerous collections including Harvard University, MCA San Diego, Parrish Art Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Tia Collection, and Williams College Museum of Art.
Esteban Cabeza de Baca and Heidi Howard, Clocks
Workshop Details
Workshop Supplies
For general information about studio access, shipping, and more, please visit our info page.
If you have any questions regarding your supplies for your workshop, please contact Lindsey Yeager, [email protected].
Provided by Anderson Ranch
Equipment
- Butcher paper
- Containers
- Cordless drills
- Cutting mats**
- Drawing boards
- Easels
- Gamsol (OMS)**
- Gloves
- Glues**
- Hand tools: hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, clamps
- Laser printer
- Palette knives**
- Palette-topped utility carts
- Presentation projector
- Push pins
- Rags
- Rulers**
- Scanner
- Scissors
- Spray bottles**
- Staple guns
- Stools
- Tape**
- Work tables
Supplies
- 5 gallon buckets
- Ampersand Claybord - 6" x 6", 1/8" Flat, Pkg of 4
- Ampersand Claybord Art Tiles - 3-1/2" W x 3-1/2" L x 1/8" D, Package of 4
- Canvas pliers
- Golden Acrylic Medium**
- Jacquard Indigo Dye Kit
- Palette paper**
- String and clothes pins
- Utrecht Professional Acrylic Gesso
What you need to bring
Required Tools and Supplies
- 2 Blick Painting Knives - Small Long Spade 50
- 3 yds Unprimed Cotton Canvas by the yard - 12 oz, 72"**
- Golden Heavy Body Artist Acrylic Set - Mixing Set of 12 with Gloss Glazing Liquid, 22 ml Tubes**
- Golden Heavy Body Artist Acrylics - Fluorescent Green, 2 oz Tube**
- Golden Heavy Body Artist Acrylics - Fluorescent Pink, 2 oz Tube**
- Heavy duty 30" x 40" stretcher bars with cross supports or corners
- Princeton Select Brush Set - Brush Set No. 1, Set of 3
- Princeton Snap! Golden Taklon Brush Set - Short Handle, set 2
- Prohibited supplies: power tools, torches, spray paint, encaustic, turpentine, resin, plastisol, any solvent that isn’t low VOC
Optional Tools and Supplies
- 30" x 40" stretchers - Artel is an ideal alternative to the required stretchers, highly recommended
- 40" x 60" stretchers (option for additional surface) - Artel highly recommended
- 60" x 60" stretchers (option for additional surface) - Artel highly recommended
- White (or light colored) t-shirt for screen printing**
* Available for purchase in the studio.
** Available to purchase at the Anderson Ranch ArtWorks Store for 10% off. The store aims to stock comparable items, though specific products from the supply list may vary based on inventory.
Learn more about shipping supplies and artwork to and from the Ranch in the Student Handbook.
Lodging & Meals
Housing is limited and includes shared and private lodging options. Reservations will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you reserve housing, the better your chance of receiving your preferred option. Please note: Workshop costs do not include accommodations.
NEW: Course fees includes a welcome dinner and lunches. In our effort to foster a stronger sense of community and accessibility at Anderson Ranch, we include the welcome dinner and all lunches as part of course fees for summer workshop students. Our hope is that this adjustment will encourage all students to come together to share meals and engage in meaningful conversations. The Ranch Café Meal Plan, which is included with Room and Board fees, strives to provide healthy, creative meals that will nourish your artistic creativity. Learn more.
We have established a Business Safety Plan with added layers of precaution that prioritize the health and safety of our staff, students, faculty and guests while continuing to provide you with the Anderson Ranch experience that you know and enjoy.
Painting & Drawing
Painting & Drawing Studio in Aspen / Snowmass
The Painting & Drawing Studio at Anderson Ranch Arts Center, located in Snowmass Village near Aspen, Colorado, is a professional studio environment designed to support immersive artistic practice across a wide range of media. The space provides dedicated work areas, natural light, and technical infrastructure for artists working in oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, and drawing.
Interested in enrolling? Explore the full schedule of Painting & Drawing workshops at Anderson Ranch.
Make, reflect, consider, engage—these are all critical elements of the Painting and Drawing workshops at Anderson Ranch. Our exceptional workshops combine focused, hands-on art making with critical feedback for artists of all levels. Painting and Drawing guest faculty are phenomenal artists and educators with experience supporting students by offering technical knowledge and encouragement.
The bright, natural light of the Wyly Painting and Drawing Building provides an inspiring environment where students can explore and expand their artistic practice. Our facilities are equipped with individual worktables, wall space, easels, rolling palettes, odorless solvents, a wide range of hand tools, computer access with Adobe software, wifi, printing, scanning, and projection capabilities. Spend a week here— or several—and engage in a variety of activities that will fuel your practice throughout the year.
Don’t know where to start? View the skill levels for Painting and Drawing workshops.
Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a historic, rustic campus that features gravel pathways and uneven terrain that may pose challenges for individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. We strive to provide accommodations to ensure all guests can access and enjoy our programs and facilities. With advance notice, our staff can offer personalized assistance and coordinate access to studios and campus spaces. For questions or to request an accommodation, please contact us at (970) 923-3181 or [email protected].
Scholarships, College Credit & Discounts
Making Art Accessible
Applications for scholarship support are encouraged. Specific scholarships are funded by Ranch supporters, either through endowed funds or special gifts.
Many colleges and universities offer college credit for workshops taken at Anderson Ranch. Discounts are available for students and teachers.
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