Workshops & Classes

4-WEEK CLASS (5 meetings)

The Happy Habit of Daily (or almost daily) Painting – ONLINE

LOCATION: Online (Live weekly on Zoom and follow up in a private Group)
DATES: Mondays, January 16 to February 13, 2025
TIME: 10:00-11:30 AM Pacific Time, 1:00-2:30 PM Eastern Time, 6:00-7:30 PM London Time
FEE: $295
REQUIREMENTS: Previous knowledge of painting. This is a class focused on habit formation, not on painting techniques. Not for beginner painters.
MEDIUM: Acrylics or Oils (demonstrations will be done in acrylics)
SUPPLIES: HERE + The Happy Habit Planner (to keep going after the class ends)
WHEN FULL: join the announcements list for future classes

REGISTER HERE

Why this workshop? If you are here, you probably know!
I created this class because I struggled with finding time to paint, to make it a priority. And I well knew that the more you paint the better you get. It is very easy to say! I knew the theory, but how to put it into practice when you have so much to do every day?

In 2018 I finally did it! I painted most days (and still do!). How did I do it?

I did some serious research on habit formation and also a fantastic opportunity showed up. I’ll share all I learned with you during the time we spent together. I’ll guide you to find your happy habit of painting, yes yours! We are all different and have different needs, routines, and activities, but we all can create a habit if we really want to, and have the right tools and motivation. This class will give you all that, you just have to bring the “really wanting to” part.

THIS WORKSHOP WILL OFFER YOU:

The 4 pillars needed to form the habit of daily (or most days) painting.
The right motivation, practical ideas, and how some master painters do it.
Painting exercises that’ll help you create the habit of showing up at your easel most days.
A tribe of like-minded people with the common goal of creating this happy habit.

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4-WEEK CLASS (5 meetings)

The Happy Habit of Daily (or almost Daily) Painting – IN PERSON

LOCATION: The North Carolina Museum of Art (in-person)
DATES: Thursdays 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, from January 16 to February 13, 2025
FEE: $238 (fee includes the Happy Habit Planner)
SUPPLIES LIST FOR HOMEWORK: HERE
REQUIREMENTS: Previous knowledge of painting. This is a class focused on habit formation, not on painting techniques. It is not for beginner painters.
MEDIUM: Acrylics or Oils (demonstrations are done using acrylics)

REGISTER HERE

Why this class? If you are here, you probably know!

I created this class because I struggled with finding time to paint! To make it a priority. And I well knew that the more you paint the better you become at painting. It is very easy to say! I knew the theory, but how to put it into practice when you have so much to do every day? Or so much time you don’t know where to start and lose your precious time!

I surrounded myself with successful artists that paint daily, followed their blogs, brought them to town, coordinated their workshops, took their workshops (many times!), and joined painting challenges on Facebook, where you paint one painting a day for 5 days and post them. All wonderful tools! But, after the workshops and the challenges, everything went back to where it was: finding it hard to make time to paint. (And I wasn’t the only one! After almost 10 years of coordinating painting workshops I heard the same struggle from many workshop students.)

In 2018 I finally did it! I painted most days. How did I do it? I did some serious research on habit formation and also a fantastic opportunity showed up. I’ll share all I learned with you during the time we spent together. I’ll guide you on how to create your happy habit of most days painting, yes yours! We are all different and have different needs, routines and activities, but we all can create a habit if we really want to, have the right tools, the right motivation, and feel accountable. This class will give you all that! You just bring up the “really wanting to” part 😉

THIS CLASS WILL OFFER YOU:

The 4 pillars needed to form the habit of daily (or most days) painting.
The right motivation, practical ideas, and how some master painters do it.
Painting exercises that’ll help you create the habit of showing up at your easel most days.
A tribe of like-minded people with the common goal of creating this happy habit.
Time to enjoy the North Carolina Museum of Art collection from the Daily Painter’s point of view 😉

TESTIMONIALS ABOUT THE HAPPY HABIT CLASS

This class has been life-changing for me, and that is huge. I have so much gratitude and so
much respect for you, Monica as a teacher and an artist. You are knowledgeable about the
subject of habit forming, and daily painting, and you communicate in a clear and succinct way that
engages the students and makes this class not only life-changing but fun.

Mónica synthesized all the best research from the top social scientists on habit formation and
related it to daily painting for us. She does it in such an organized and thoughtful way. I am
really motivated to get in my studio because I have deeper knowledge about how and why I want to
create. Meg Sellig, NJ

Monica is an accomplished artist, but also a great teacher. She presents her curriculum in an
organized and well-researched way; she goes back over previous topics in each class to
reinforce where we’ve been before moving on. Also, she’s so kind, pleasant, and generous
with her insights!

I really enjoyed this class because it made me more aware of my intentions. There are days
that do not work at all with your intentions, but you can always start back the next day. …and
that’s ok. T Powers

This class gave me many tools to implement that form the habit of daily painting. Prior to this
class, I was struggling to paint on a daily basis. Now, I am consistently painting on a daily
basis.

Monica’s class helped me get back to my easel. She has a wonderful way of encouraging her
students and her honesty about her daily habits is so relatable. Her habits class was really a
happy experience with lots of great information. JVS

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Painting in Series – IN PERSON – SOLD OUT

In this class, I’ll teach an overview of the fundamentals of painting: value, color, and composition. You’ll delve into what makes a series – a series, and why they are beneficial for painters of all levels! Monica will demonstrate and share her painting process, and then you will work on your very own series based on photos. You’ll be guided every step of the way! No experience is necessary. Supplies are included.

LOCATION: Halle Cultural Arts Center, Apex, NC
TIME: 10:00-12:30 PM OR 6:00 – 8:30 PM
FEE: $64 (Apex residents) and $79 (non-residents) (the town received a grant for these classes, that’s why the fee is so attractive 😉
DATES: Tuesdays, April 04 – May 02, 2024 (no class on April 16)
REQUIREMENTS: All levels
MEDIUM: Acrylics or Oils (demonstrations will be done in acrylics)
SUPPLIES: Included
WHEN FULL: join the announcements list for future classes

REGISTER FOR MORNING SESSION HERE

REGISTER FOR EVENING SESSION HERE

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Painting Florals – IN PERSON – SOLD OUT

Painting flowers is the best way to play with color, and become relaxed yet intentional with your artwork! Every brushstroke counts and you’ll learn that most of the time, less is more. I’ll demonstrate my process of painting flowers and vases – teaching students how to not get hooked on details (or a thousand petals)! Students will create one small floral painting per class. No experience is necessary. Supplies are included.

LOCATION: Halle Cultural Arts Center, Apex, NC
FEE: $64 (Apex residents) and $79 (non-residents) (the town received a grant for these classes, that’s why the fee is so attractive 😉
TIME: 10:00-12:30 PM
DATES: Saturdays, May, 2024
REQUIREMENTS: All levels
MEDIUM: Acrylics or Oils (demonstrations will be done in acrylics)
SUPPLIES: Included
WHEN FULL: join the announcements list for future classes

REGISTER HERE

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DAILY PAINTING PART TWO – ONLINE

With veteran daily painter Lisa Daria Kennedy and myself!

Curious? CLICK HERE!

SOLD OUT!

Are you a daily painter? Or did you start a daily painting practice and stop? Are you still painting but losing momentum in your current daily (or most days) painting practice? Are you looking for ways to keep the pace, ensuring you stay engaged? And/or are you wondering what’s next: the best business/selling practices, how to keep it all organized, and the most efficient way to promote your work?

Or maybe are you asking yourself: Am I going to do this forever? Or the existential question – what is the point of this?!

In Daily Painting Part Two we will:

restate your daily painting intention and firm it up!
re-establish your personal, professional, and creative goals/what’s next
present ways to stay engaged, (or find momentum again)
share business and prioritization strategies that make sure painting (and not promotion) is the priority.
paint every day (or most days) for 2 weeks

WHAT’S INCLUDED

2 instructors: Lisa Daria Kennedy and Mónica Linares
2 full weeks of virtual studio engagement
2 Zoom group meetings
1 one on one meeting
2 Sunday Structure meetings (painting planning) with Mónica
Daily follow-up, feedback, and accountability on a private Facebook Group
Weekly daily painting homework to keep you engaged, motivated, and learning! (weekends are off if you want!)

THE RESULT

A clear action plan at the end of the workshop to keep going.

LOGISTICS

LOCATION: Online (Live weekly on Zoom) and follow up in a private Facebook Group *. Recordings will be sent to registered students.
DATES & TIMES
- Sept 12 – Group Zoom | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm ET
- Sept 19 – Individual Meeting (Time TBD)
- Sept 26 – Group Zoom | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm ET
- Sunday Sessions – w/Mónica Sept 17 & Sept 24, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm ET
FEE: $435
SUPPLIES LIST: Coming Soon! Check back in a few days.
MEDIUM: Acrylics or Oils (demos will be done with acrylics)
REQUIREMENTS: Previous knowledge of painting. This class is more about painting practice than painting technique.
STUDENTS: Max 18, min. 10

*A link to the Zoom meetings will be e-mailed to you; make sure you write your email correctly when you register and verify that our e-mails don’t go into your spam folder. Thanks!

SOLD OUT!

INSTRUCTORS BIOS

LISA DARIA KENNEDY

Lisa Daria Kennedy has been painting one small painting a day for 5,080+ days (and counting!). She grew up along the northeast edge of the Hockomock Swamp in Massachusetts. She received her BA from Roger Williams University in Graphic Design, a BFA in Illustration, and an MFA in 2D from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her paintings have been featured nationally in group and solo exhibits and included in corporate and private collections. She teaches workshops on how to embrace the practice of daily painting and is an Associate Professor of Illustration at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, MA. She lives 9 nautical miles from Boston in World’s End in an old fishing camp with her Wheaten Terrier, Olive, and when she’s not painting, she’s paddling.

MÓNICA LINARES

Born and raised in Venezuela, Mónica was always surrounded by paint and brushes thanks to an artist father. With a background in advertising, she was permanently in contact with design, color, and style, but it was not until 1999 that she formally started her formation as a painter at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. In 2018 she created the class The Happy Habit of Daily Painting after researching and applying habit formation theory to her painting practice and succeeding in forming the habit of going every day (or most days) to her easel. Mónica has a graphic style and many have called her a colorist. She aims for simplicity, interesting design, and strong brushwork. Most of her work can be found at The North Carolina Museum of Art store. She lives in Apex NC with her husband and kids.

SUPPLIES

Coming Soon! Check back in a few days.

CANCELLATION POLICY FOR THIS CLASS

If a week before the class we haven’t reached the minimum amount of students for the class to happen the class will be canceled and students will receive a full refund.

If you cancel less than 15 DAYS prior to the start of the class you will not receive a refund. If you must cancel in this time frame we encourage you to find a replacement, and your replacement can reimburse you for your course fee. If you cancel before the 15-day limit you will receive a 50% refund. Unfortunately, students who start a multiple-day class and are unable to attend any portion will not receive a refund.

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A Series of Four

NOTE: This is a hybrid workshop! A portion will be online (Zoom) and a portion will be in-person painting together.

SOLD OUT!

Painting in series has been a game-changer for me! And I think it can be for you too. As you know, the more we paint the better painters we become. That’s why my teaching always revolves around helping you paint as often as possible, daily or almost daily!

When we paint often, we have to look for subjects to paint all the time! and this could be draining for some. When jumping from subject to subject we become dispersed, we don’t explore or learn all we can from one subject, and we could lack consistency and not have a coherent body of work, which is very important for exhibitions and for selling our work.

All these get solved by PAINTING IN SERIES!

In this class, I’ll first give you a quick overview of the fundamentals of painting: value, color, and composition (because it is always good to have a refresher and to have them present while we paint); then we’ll go into what makes a series a series, who paints like this, and why it is so beneficial for us. This is the part we do online.

Then we meet for 2 days in person where we paint and create a series of 4 paintings. I will do a quick demo each day, then you will work on your own series and I’ll guide you whenever you need it. You might not end up with 4 fully finished paintings, but you will have a great foundation to keep working and finishing them, and many more, on your own.

You can work on the theme of your preference: landscape, still life, interiors, cityscape or floral, and you can paint from reference photos or from life, even en plein air if the weather cooperates (we’ll be painting at a gorgeous location). And, if you need it, I’ll share 4 reference photos (a series), to work from.

WHEN:

October 30 and 31 (online) – 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm EST
November 4 and 5 (in person) – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm EST

WHERE: Zoom (online portion), and at the incredible Work In Progress studio, 123 Beech Forest Way, Pittsboro, NC 27312 (In person portion). You do both!

FEE: $325

SUPPLIES LIST: Keep reading, you’ll find it after cancellation policy.

MEDIUM: Acrylics (oils and odorless mediums are welcome if you have experience using them and know how to paint alla prima. Demos are done using acrylics)

LEVEL: previous painting experience required | STUDENTS: Max. 12, Min. 8

LUNCH: for the in-person portion bring your own! We are not close to places to buy food. I’ll have coffee, tea, and snacks. There is a refrigerator and microwave.

(This class is a concentrated version of the Paint a Bunch with Intention class where we painted a series of 8 paintings in a month)

REGISTER HERE

REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS CLASS

Having previous painting experience.

Choosing a painting subject you want to dedicate a weekend to: Landscape, Cityscape, Still life, Floral, or Interior (or using my 4 reference photos)

If you are painting from photos, and you are not using my 4 reference photos, you need to have at least 6 photos taken by you to work from during the weekend. Bring them printed in full color or on a tablet. You will choose (with my help) 4 to work from. We will talk about this during our online meetings.

If you will be painting from life, bring small objects, fruits, or flowers you would like to paint. The simpler the better.

If you want my help with this, I’ll give you 4 reference photos to paint from (probably flowers or fruits ;). You can print them or look at them on your tablet.

Being able to connect to Zoom for the online portion of the class

CANCELLATION POLICY FOR THIS CLASS

If a week before the class we haven’t reached the minimum amount of students for the class to happen the class will be canceled and students will receive a full refund.

INCLEMENT WEATHER AND GLOBAL HEALTH POLICY (NEW!)

Workshops or classes will be canceled or rescheduled if inclement weather (hurricanes, snow storms, tropical storms, black ice, flooding, etc.) is on the forecast, or if a global health issue (pandemic) prevents groups from gathering. No one should take any unnecessary risks. If the workshop is canceled because of these out-of-our-control circumstances, all registration money will be returned to the students minus a 3% processing fee. The workshop will be rescheduled if possible for both parties.

If you have covid symptoms before coming to the workshop, please stay home and a positive covid test result will be required in order to receive a full refund (minus the 3% processing fee).

SUGGESTED SUPPLIES LIST

Notebook

At least 6 photos taken by you of one topic: landscape, cityscape, interiors, or still life. Your 6 photos need to have at least 2 of these elements in common: subject (examples: roses, your town, houses in your neighborhood, fruit, rooms in your house, etc), color scheme (ex.: complementary, split complementary, adjacent, neutrals, monochromatic, etc.), theme (ex.: peace, happiness, spring, movement, etc). You can print your photos to use as a reference during class or work from your tablet.

Charcoal and sketchbook (nothing fancy!)

Flat brushes (or your favorite) from #2 to #8 (Silver Bristlon is a good brand) and one signing brush (#0 or #00)

Lukas, Golden or Liquitex acrylic paint

Cadmium Red deep
Alizarin Crimson
Cadmium Yellow
Cadmium Yellow light or Lemon Yellow
Ultramarine Blue (Liquitex or Golden)
Pthalo Blue or Cerulean Blue
Raw Umber (Optional. Great to gray colors down quickly)
Titanium White
Quinacridone magenta (Optional. If you are painting pink flowers, this is a good extra one to have)

One roll of paper towel

Water Spray bottle

Palette: I like the Stay Wet Masterson palette, the big one. The palette measures are 16″W×12″D. If you don’t have it or don’t want to invest in this yet, a paper palette works too, a big one.

8 6×6″ Panels or canvases, or 5×7″ panels or canvases: The format of your panels will depend on how you crop your photo. You can do it the other way around too. If you have square canvases at home and that’s what you want to use, then crop your photos square (we will talk more about this during class). You can paint bigger (8×8″) if you want, but you might finish 2 paintings instead of 4.

A phone to take photos and crop them

If painting from life, please bring small objects and a view catcher

I’ll have for you: easel, side table, and a small lamp for your still life if you decide to paint from life.

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ONLINE

The Essence of Painting

If you want to seriously start painting, this is the class for you.

I believe in solid foundations, and that is what this painting class for beginners will give you. You will leave this class knowing the basics of value, color and composition, how to apply them to your paintings and I will guide you from start to finish, step by step, on your first (or third!) still life painting from a photo I will provide.

We will also discuss the best studio practices that will help you paint frequently, because that’s the secret to improve faster.

With these essentials you will be able to continue exploring the wonderful world of painting on your own…until we meet in a future class 😉

How will it work?

We will meet 3 consecutive days, live on Zoom, for about 1.5 hours. (I will record the classes in case you can’t participate live). Each day we will talk about one painting topic and you will do an exercise right after the class or at any time before the next one.

After the third lesson you will have a couple of days to finish a painting. You will have access to a step by step painting demonstration. That way you can paint along me at your own pace.

On the 4th day we will meet again to talk about your work, give you feedback and answer any questions.

We will paint with acrylics.

DATE: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and following Monday
TIME: 1.5 hours max daily on Zoom
MEDIUM: Acrylics
LEVEL: Beginners
FEE: $60
SUPPLIES LIST: on the registration page

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Paint a Bunch with Intention by Mónica Linares

The Power of Working in Series

I will help you build a body of work based on photo references. Working in series will help you learn all you can about one subject. It will help you find consistency and your unique voice! Also if you are planning on exhibiting your work anywhere, even on social media!, working in series is the way to go.

We will make a plan, create structure, I’ll guide you where you need it and offer accountability for you to start building a consistent body of work. In other words: To paint a bunch with intention

Description

DATE: TBD
TIME: 1:00 am to 4:00 pm
FEE: TBD
LOCATION: COMING SOON!
MEDIUM: Acrylics
LEVEL: Basic knowledge of painting required | STUDENTS: Max. 12

4-Week Class Description – You can work on the theme of your preference: landscape, still life, interiors, cityscape or floral, I’ll be demonstrating a floral painting.

I realized that what I enjoy to teach the most is giving you structure, accountability, motivation, the right challenge and enough technique information to keep you going so you can paint daily or frequently enough for you to explore and get better at painting, and most importantly, to find your own and unique voice.

You probably have a good foundation by studying on your own, through workshops and classes or by being a Happy Habit alumni; but sometimes if we are not surrounded by a community that keep us accountable we lose track of time, start prioritizing other things and before we know it, our painting practice is gone.

The second thing that can happen is that we keep painting frequently but become “painterly disperse”. We try a little bit of this and a little bit of that without a painting goal, without thinking: What do I want? How do I want to grow? Where do I focus?. Sometimes that’s great!, but sometimes we need some parameters to push us in one direction, find consistency and a steady growing, until we want to shift and grow in another direction. Based on my experience, focusing on one subject for some time helps a lot!

That’s why I am offering a month long class. I will take a maximum of 10 students because I want to have enough time to dedicate to all of you. I will help you build, or start building, a body of work based on photo references. Creating a body of work, or working in series, will help you learn all you can about one subject. It will help you find consistency which is wonderful if you are planning on exhibiting, creating a portfolio to bring to a gallery, or as simply as sharing your work on social media. And it will help you find your voice!

We will make a plan, create structure, I’ll guide you where you need it and offer accountability for you to start building a consistent body of work. In other words: To paint a bunch with intention!

REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS CLASS

Preferably being a Happy Habit Alumni or having previous painting experience

To have a painting subject you want to dedicate a month to: Landscape, Cityscape, Still life or Interior. I will be doing a floral demo first day of class.

To have at least 20 photos taken by you to work from for the whole month. Bring them printed or on a tablet (you will choose, with my help, 8 to work from)

To paint most days (you don’t need to finish a painting a day, but you have to paint or sketch most days)

Being flexible! This is a very malleable class. Depending on the painting subject you choose, the content could vary a bit. This will be a growing experience for you and for me!

What will happen during these 3 hours?

First I will share technical information (one painting element per week: values, composition, color, consistency and putting it all together) and one well known artist exhibit per week. Then I will assign you homework, do a quick floral painting demo on the first week and will answer any questions you might have. Then you will go to your easel and start your first assignment.

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MONTHLY

ARTribe

LOCATION: TBD
TIME: 10 am to 12:15 pm
UPCOMING DATE: To be determined
Interested in joining our daily painting community? Send us an e-mail!
MAX. amount of students 10, MINIMUM 6
REQUIREMENTS: Happy Habit and Paint A-Bunch alumni

I created the ARTribe after a wonderful group of artists working on becoming daily painters (from our Happy Habit class) requested a way to stay in touch, motivated, in painting shape, and inside a daily painters (or most day painters) tribe! We artists know how lonely the life of an artist can be. In our studios (and our heads!) all the time! Thinking, solving, seeing, creating, and knowing how much we need connection with other thinkers and creators to feel supported (and understood!). We need to build a community of like minded people!

This will also be a place to share information about opportunities for painters, exhibitions, lectures and anything that can keep us motivated to paint daily.