FAQs
All event costs are nonrefundable within 30 days of the event. If force majeure events or other events out of our control occur we will refund the event cost.
Please consider purchasing travel and cancellation insurance. In some cases we may be able to transfer your booking to another interested party or possibly book you for a future event. These accommodations are not guaranteed, however.
At the Event or Retreat
Please bring a car or arrange ahead to carpool. We may need to travel short distances to a different venue in case of changing weather.
Please be prepared with materials and tested easel if you are using one, and be ready to work (ie not unwrapping new supplies). Also be prepared for the outdoors with bug spray, sunscreen, hat, water, snacks etc. Please refer to our supply list below or email with questions. We will usually have some extra supplies and easels available.
Please let us know about any mobility restrictions and we will attempt to accommodate.
Please bring a bag lunch and snacks or we can advise on local cafes.
We can direct you to nearby restrooms.
The event locations for the weekend will be dependent on weather and participants. We will set up a group text chat before arrival and give exact locations and meeting points.
ACCOMMODATIONS
During our retreats, you will book your own overnight stays, and meet us early in the day at our chosen locations. This way you can maximize your budget and comfort and we can all focus on painting!
In and Around Falls Village, CT:
There are many enchanting places to stay here, ranging from the very rustic to luxurious. Below are some of our recommendations. Please let us know if you run into any issues and we can help with finding a place for you.
Inns/ BnB/Hotels
https://www.sharoncountryinn.com
https://www.thefallsvillageinn.com
https://www.blackberryriverinn.com
https://www.interlakeninn.com/
Days Inn - Torrington, CT
AirBnb:
An excellent option for those requiring a comfortable stay. Use link; AirBnb
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND Greystone in Salisbury!
https://www.airbnb.com/slink/fHbKaQtN
Also Looks for spots in:
Falls Village, CT
Norfolk, CT
Colebrook, CT
Great Barrington, MA
Sheffield, MA
Lakeville, CT
Camping:
Taconic State Park, Copake Falls, NY - Reserve America
Lone Oak campsites, North Canaan,CT https://www.loneoakcampsites.com/
https://thedyrt.com/camping/connecticut/near/falls-village
SUPPLY LIST
* Please note that the supplies below are suggestions, not requirements. A basic set of yellow, red, blue, white and burnt sienna will work fine and in some cases better than an expanded palette. Select the medium and colors that work for you. If you are a beginner, opt for a non-watercolor medium. We will bring extra supplies should you forget an item. If you have a travel easel or box, please bring that.
OIL
Lemon Yellow
Cadmium yellow medium
Yellow ochre
Cadmium orange
Cadmium red light
Raw umber
Raw sienna
Burnt Sienna
Viridian green
Olive Green
Cobalt blue
Ultramarine blue
Alizarin crimson
Ivory black
Titanium White
Additional (optional) colors:
Mars Brown
Violet
Bristle brushes: Filberts and Rounds. We recommend 209F Utrecht brand
# 1 (x 1)
# 2 (x 1)
# 4 (x 2)
# 5 (x 2)
# 8 (x 1)
Odorless Gamsol. Walnut oil is ok
Wooden palette **Absolutely no disposable palettes
Palette cups (attachable to the palette) or a glass jar for Gamsol
Metal palette knife
Canvas boards or canvas 12 x 16 or similar, but not too small either, do not use square format, it’s not a good one for landscape.
Smaller and medium size for beginners
Larger for advanced students.
Vine Charcoal
Roll of paper towels or old rags for cleaning brushes
Drawing pad, medium size, pencil, eraser, and sharpener to make sketches before painting
A roll of masking tape to tape your paper to a cardboard
A piece of cardboard that is slightly bigger than your paper to attach the paper to.
Drawing pad of paper, 12 x 16 is a good size. White paper good for pencils or pastels.
OPTIONAL Set of pastels. I prefer dry pastels, but kids usually use oil pastels like crayons, so either one is OK.
* We recommend Georgian oil colors in 75 ml tubes. These paints are very inexpensive and yet are of good quality sufficient for students. They are sold by most major art stores. You can order them online from Dick Blick or buy them in store.
ACRYLIC:
Watercolor paper pad if you want to paint. You can paint with acrylics on watercolor paper because it’s thick.
Set of acrylic paints, brushes, plastic palette. I like a palette like this, but it can be a little bit smaller. Just don’t get the ones with the round openings for the paints, a flat one like this is better in my opinion. Palette 1 (Palette 2)
Roll of paper towels and a few plastic cups for water to use with acrylics
Metal palette knife
Canvas boards or canvas 12 x 16 or similar, but not too small either, do not use square format, it’s not a good one for landscape.
Smaller and medium size for beginners
Larger for advanced students.
Drawing pad, medium size, pencil, eraser, and sharpener to make sketches before painting.
A piece of cardboard that is slightly bigger than your paper to attach the paper to.
OPTIONAL Set of pastels. We prefer dry pastels, but kids usually use oil pastels like crayons, so either one is OK.
A roll of masking tape to tape your paper to a cardboard
MISCELLANEOUS:
Folding chair, i.e. camping chair
Sun hats – very important! It’s not just for your protection but for being able to see better.
Bug spray, water, sunscreen, long pants with socks and sun hat for when we are in the field. Waterproof shoes helpful. Dressing in light colors helps with spotting ticks.
Poncho or umbrella attached to chair in case of rain. We will sometimes have a tent or shelter to work under as well.