a. WS01 - Secrets to an Enchanting Landscape
Two-Day Workshop | Registration opens 1/19/2026 12:00 PM EST
Embark on a captivating artistic journey with Marla as she reveals the secrets to enchanting abstracted landscapes filled with light and life. Discover how bold, intentional strokes and gestures can breathe soul into your landscapes. On day one, students will paint a landscape from a photo reference, on the second day they will work from the same reference and abstract the painting. The learn to harness the power of expressive mark making to create abstract landscapes that not only showcase the beauty of the natural world but also evoke a sense of wonder and enchantment.
- NOTE FOR ALL IAPS WORKSHOPS: You must bring your own portable easel, and a board to support your paper. The room will be set with chairs which can be moved around to suit your preference. You can stand at an easel and use the table for your supplies, or you can bring a table easel and sit to work. Rubbing Alcohol will be provided for the students' use.
IMPORTANT : Please bring a plastic or cloth sheet to place under your easel, or table, to protect the hotel's carpet.
Materials List
- As many pastels as you feel comfortable with. Having a selection of hues, values and saturation is more important than quantity. Space will be at a premium, so please do not bring everything! I use many brands, including both hard and soft pastels.
- Your favourite pastel paper.
- I will be using mostly Pastelmat and Canson Velvet in mid to dark range
- Your favourite easel (consider space is at a premium)
- Solid Backing board (I add foam board to my backing board to act as a cushion)
- Compressed charcoal any brand
- Your sketchbook/journal (I use a Strathmore Toned gray sketchbook)
- A Black Sharpie, (fine point)
- 2B Pencil
- White Gel Pen (any brand)
- Fine Point Felt Tip Pen (any brand such as Pilot)
- Photo reference that excites you. Choose photographs that have strong simple shapes and a range of values. Try to use photos that you’ve taken but I can provide and ‘share from my iPad’ reference images for you to use if you can’t find anything appropriate.
- Hand wipes
- Drop cloth
- Artist tape