Instructor: Danny Folkman
Medium: Gouache Painting (Plein Air)
Dates: May 10–12, 2027
Class times: 9:00–4:00
Tuition: $650
Class Size: 16
Location: Carmel Area
Experience the beauty of California’s spectacular coastline while discovering the expressive power of gouache with acclaimed plein air painter Danny Folkman. Over three inspiring days, you’ll paint on location throughout the Monterey Peninsula, learning to capture changing light, atmosphere, and the energy of the landscape with confidence and simplicity.
Painting outdoors forces us to make bold decisions. As the light shifts and conditions change, you’ll learn to simplify shapes, identify essential values, and place purposeful brushstrokes that create fresh, lively paintings—qualities that are difficult to achieve when working from photographs in the studio.
Danny’s instruction centers on simplifying the seascape through a straightforward, effective approach. Using small painting surfaces, a limited palette, larger brushes, and efficient techniques, you’ll learn how to mix accurate color and value from the very first stroke, reducing overworking and producing paintings that feel loose, confident, and full of life.
Each morning begins with an engaging discussion on topics such as simplification, color harmony, value, and paint application, followed by a live plein air demonstration. After lunch, students paint alongside Danny as he provides individualized instruction tailored to each artist’s goals and experience level. Every day concludes with a friendly group critique where everyone benefits from shared insights and inspiration.
Whether you’re new to gouache or looking to strengthen your plein air skills, this workshop offers a supportive environment for artists of all levels to grow while painting some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in America.
About Danny Folkman
Danny Folkman has been drawing for as long as he can remember, but it was during his junior year of high school that an encouraging art teacher introduced him to painting—a turning point that shaped his life’s work.
Although largely self-taught, Danny developed his skills by studying the work of master painters through books, workshops, and online instruction. Traveling across the country to learn from many of today’s finest artists deepened both his technical abilities and his passion for painting outdoors.
Today, Danny lives and works in Los Angeles, where he finds endless inspiration in the city’s often-overlooked beauty. His fresh, direct approach to plein air painting combines strong design, confident brushwork, and an appreciation for the fleeting effects of light. Through his workshops, Danny enjoys helping artists simplify the painting process, trust their instincts, and create expressive landscapes filled with atmosphere and life.
