“When I was young, I shied away from art because I mistakenly thought that either you had talent/ability or you didn’t. Period. It didn’t occur to me that like music or writing, you can take a bit of raw talent and get better at it with lessons and practice.” Sandy Sibley
Canyon Color for the Painter, Sedona, AZ
Color theory is not just a collection of good ideas; it’s the cornerstone of your toolbox. Using practical lessons and exercises, you’ll take what you’ve learned about color and use it to enhance your artistic vision. March 10-14, 2025.
Advanced Plein Air Painting, Rockport, ME
This is an opportunity for more advanced painters to work on the complex concepts in painting, like directing the viewer’s eye, narrative flow, serious drawing, and more. July 7-11, 2025.
My longest running workshop, in America’s first national park. This is a student favorite and personal favorite. Enjoy all-inclusive accommodation or join us as a commuter. August 3-8, 2025.
Find Your Authentic Voice in Plein Air, Berkshires, MA
Take some time away to invest in yourself, and see your paintings improve each day. The Berkshires are easily accessible from NYC and Boston, and a perfect blend of natural, historic, and agricultural beauty. August 11-15, 2025.
Immersive In-Person Fall Workshop, Rockport, ME
Spend a week of deep art engagement in Rockport, Maine, with fellow artists. This five-day session will open a new chapter in your journey as an artist. October 6-10, 2025.
Tuesdays, 6 PM – 9 PM EST
February 18, 25
March 4, 18, 25
This class focuses on design and composition for expressive painting. Students will be encouraged to develop their own personal creative vision while working on refining their artistic skills through traditional studies.
This class is targeted toward more advanced painters who’ve already mastered the basics of paint application. It’s open to students in watercolor, gouache, oils, and pastel. Learn More
Mondays, 6 PM – 9 PM EST
February 17, 24,
March 17, 24, 31
This class improves on the skills learned in Fundamentals of Drawing. We’ll use a pencil but all of these concepts are transferrable to painting; experienced painters are encouraged to try them in paint as well.
This class is targeted to the learner who has mastered measurement, shading, and perspective and wants to further develop skills in design and rendering. Learn More
If you’re looking for more consistent, beautiful results in your painting, you need a repeatable protocol. In this online course, discover a system that will reliably improve your oil paintings. New for 2023, I’m offering a 7 part online course. Each class includes video content, quizzes, and exercises to do in your own studio at your own pace. Learn More
“I’ve studied painting with Carol for years but was pretty adamant that no one could teach me drawing. After struggling with it for years, I finally took her drawing fundamentals and I have to say, it was a wonderful eye-opening experience where I learned solid technical skills, but more importantly, I conquered my fear. I just finished a drawing of a beautiful property in Northern California which turned out great. ‘Paint it,’ said Carol. High praise indeed from a wonderful teacher and painter. ” (Karen Ames, San Francisco, CA)
“A big part of the attraction of Carol’s classes and workshops are the super cool people I have met. The other part is Carol’s tenacious preparation, taking the teaching seriously and pushing her curriculum through new levels by listening to students’ needs and by Carol’s own insatiable quest for knowledge. The enthusiasm is contagious.
“The only reason I have any knowledge about art is because of Carol; I didn’t learn jack in art school.” (Beth Carr, Avon, NY)
“I have found many new and needed ways of working in watercolors, specifically the prep work… I never had lessons that included these steps, only workshops that were demos, then you were on your own, then a time of critique. Found out ideas that should have been done before I painted. So now I feel I’m on a good new track.” (Carol Durkee, Waterville, ME)
“Carol’s in-depth teaching and mastery of traditional painting methods changed my life and empowered me to pursue my career goals as an artist. At a key moment in my artistic development, she offered me simple, structured, and systematic lessons. They began by building on the foundations of drawing, perspective, and composition. We practiced figure drawing, from 30 second gesture drawing to detailed graphite illustrations. As my skills grew, that transitioned into color theory, paint mixing, and brushwork. After many months of intense study, once my skills in drawing and oils were ready, we went out into the field to train and capture the essence of traditional plein air painting!
“This style of pedagogy and one-to-one supportive coaching had never been accessible to me as a young art student before, and I don’t know anywhere else to find it. The joy of painting with Carol is that she will paint alongside you, clearly and compassionately demonstrate the techniques and steps involved, give you space to work through the learning phases, and follow-up and support you when you have questions, or run into challenges in your composition. She even taught me as a young art student of to properly stretch, size, and prime my own canvas, a rare skill to find these days amongst the average college bound art student.
“When I began as her student, she reviewed all my past artwork and paintings, and determined what we would need to focus on to help me develop a professional and competitive painting portfolio. She showed me the rich and complex history of painting in oils; painting from life, and helped us to understand the context within which our modern work will live. Most importantly, Carol, like any good teacher knew when to give space to a young painter like me, and allowed for the natural growth and development of a lifelong artistic expression. In the end, after two years studying at the Douglas Studios, weekends, and after school, the portfolio I prepared was accepted by all seven of the art schools I applied to, and I received a sizable merit scholarship to attend the Rhode Island School of Design, the number one art school in the country.
“When I arrived and met my classmates and began in foundations year, I realized that very few of the incoming students had had an opportunity to receive this traditional type of art training that I had with Carol. That early school work demonstrated that my drawing and color theory skills were far ahead of the curve, and I was very well equipped to deliver quality projects and work, and receive strong grades and professor reviews. Whenever anyone asks me about why and how I became a professional painter, and so successful at a young age, in the New York City art world I always tell them the incredible story of a master painter named Carol Douglas, who showed me a thing or two and then cut me loose with a paint brush and palette.” (Matthew Menzies, New York, NY)
Monday Morning Art School
Visit the blog every Monday and you will grow as an artist.