Art Workshops

For individuals and small groups you can book an In Person Plein Air Session. If you are an organization or company, please email me directly to arrange a date.

FCA Workshop :: Abstracting the Landscape :: $340

This workshop focuses on the art of envisioning and crafting powerful paintings that transcend mere replication of photographs or real-life scenes. We will dissect your artistic goals, guiding you in reimagining them to enhance the final result.

Learn how to see and break down shapes, control your values, explore thoughtful composition, push colour and most of all, design your paintings with the viewer in mind, not the reference

Join us in an inspiring workshop that may forever change your approach to painting.

Dates: June 1 – 2
Time: 10:00 am to 4:00pm
Location: Federation Academy 1310 Johnston St, Vancouver (map)

MISSION Plein Air :: 1 Day On-Location Workshop :: $80

Enhance your skills & connect with nature in this one-day plein air paint out.

Dates: Spring 2024
Time: 9:30am to 3:30pm
Location: TBA

BURNABY Plein Air :: 1 Day On-Location Workshop :: $80

Enhance your skills & connect with nature in this one-day plein air paint out.

Dates: Spring 2024
Time: 9:30am to 3:30pm
Location: TBA

NORTH VANCOUVER :: 1 Day On-Location Workshop :: $80

Enhance your skills & connect with nature in this one-day plein air paint out.

Dates: Spring 2024
Time: 9:30am to 3:30pm
Location: TBA

PITT MEADOWS Plein Air :: 1 Day On-Location Workshop :: $80

Enhance your skills & connect with nature in this one-day plein air paint out.

Dates: Spring 2024
Time: 9:30am to 3:30pm
Location: TBA

KELOWNA Plein Air :: 2 Day On-Location Workshop :: $TBA

Hosted by the FCA Okanagan Chapter, we’ll be focusing on design and how to ensure a more unified and focused painting.

During the first day, I’ll be sharing some of my favourite compositions along with how to capture the essence of the natural surroundings through observation and sound principles of design. Day two will include techniques for creating interest and vibrancy without adding too much detail and losing the main design impact.

Plein air painting is more about taking notes that make up a coherent image than it is about a finished painting.

Dates: September 21-22, 2024
Time: TBA
Location: Kelowna Area

Testimonials

It’s great dealing with a true professional! Thank you.

Bonita Ruttkay , RAG Demo Coordinator

I’m so excited to have attended the plein air workshop last weekend. Michael did great demo and showed wonderful techniques in problem solving and color decisions. My mind was blown away with the subtle color temperature shift. I feel I’m ready to push my paintings to the next level after just two days learning with Michael. Thank you so much!

I just had a very enjoyable weekend workshop. Michael’s color theory knowledge is extensive, and he really helped me to view composition on a new level. His teaching style is very accommodating to each individual. It was well worth it, and it was fun!

Linda C MacBeth

I’m SO glad I took Michael’s Painting Loosely workshop – what an exceptional teacher! The demonstrations and exercises were great, and I especially appreciated Michael’s gentle but effective way of giving feedback and guidance. I feel my painting has moved to a new level and I’m thrilled with all I learned – a 100% positive experience. I whole-heartedly recommend Michael as a teacher and mentor.

Celeste Roberts

Michael is a great teacher, friendly yet professional. He is organized and focused in his teaching which I greatly appreciated. Highly recommend Michael’s workshops.

Richard McMillan

Michael’s workshop taught me tools to take my painting to a place I did not know how to get to on my own and, how to approach the process more effectively. I plan to take more

Joey

I think this plein air work shop was one of the bests I have ever attended. Michael is a fantastic teacher and a nice person to spend time with, very knowledgeable and informative.

Marius Rusu
[I] Totally enjoyed Michael’s Plein air workshop. I appreciated his structured approach to composition planning, simplifying values, and triad colour harmony.

Bryn Watkins

I thoroughly enjoyed the Michael’s plein air painting workshop. He created a relaxed atmosphere while providing challenging exercises and individualized coaching through out the 2 days. I came away with a better understanding of the principles of composition and colour and how to apply them. Michael was organized and provided us with easy to follow directions to our outdoor painting locations.

Sandra B

I loved being a student of Michael Kings. I have taken both workshops and private lessons with him. I always learn something when I am out painting with Michael.

He knows his stuff. He loves art, is fun to work with and because he walks the walk of being an artist himself, he’s been there and he understands that there is a process that we all have to go through as we work on developing our own unique style. As a teacher he helps guide you gently through this process in a fun, knowledge based, positive way. He has a great teaching style.

I have many stories about the fun adventures we had out plein air painting together, but the one that I tell most often is when we were out in a farmer’s field and got sprayed with manure. Oh the joys of plein air painting.

MarryAnn Burrows

Michael is an excellent teacher. Articulate, and generous with his knowledge.

Sheree Jones, Sherre Jones Art

Michael is enthusiastic, friendly and knowledgeable.

Classes were well planned and often supplemented with “hand outs” or information on great web sites to explore. His demonstration paintings were detailed yet simply presented and easy to understand.

He gave a lot of individual help to everyone and was able to offer suggestions to improve your painting, many of which can be applied to all my painting projects.

Sue Aspinall

I learned more in an hour than I have in two years.

Barbara Van Oss

Please call 604.561.5998 or email me at [email protected] if you have any questions.