Fall Retreat
at North Star Bible Camp Willow, Alaska
Aug. 13th-16th, 2026
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vfaa-11th-annual-fall-artist-retreat-tickets-1990743465294?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbc
Thursday: Early bird check in after 5 pm (Pot Luck)
FRIDAY
9-12 “Intro to Watercolors” with Don Kolstad
9-12 “Paint Like An Artist, part 1” with Nancy Angelini Crawford
(basic building blocks, all levels & all mediums)
LUNCH 12-1PM
1-4pm “Thinking Outside The Canvas” with Brian Marten
(All levels & All Mediums)
1-4pm “Paint Like An Artist, part 2” with Nancy Angelini Crawford
(pulling it all together, all levels & all mediums)
1-4pm “Intro to Plein Air Painting” with Don Kolstad
(Watercolors)
DINNER 5-6PM
SATURDAY
BREAKFAST 8-9PM
9-12 “Color Theory” with Michelle Mishaan
9-12 “Pastels, a Quick and Direct Approach” with Nancy Angelini Crawford
(Limited Strokes, Florals)
9-12 “Watercolor Landscapes” with Don Kolstad
(All Levels)
LUNCH 12-1pm
1-4pm “For the Love of Octopus & All Sea Creatures” with Brian Martin
(All Levels, All Mediums including Alcohol Inks)
1-4pm “Watercolors with Pastels, A Love Story” with Michelle Mishaan
1-4pm “Watercolor Florals” with Don Kolstad
DINNER 5-6PM
SUNDAY
9-10am BRUNCH
10-1pm “Australian Accordion Art Journal” with Isabella Apfelback
(Most Mediums)
10-1pm “Plein Air” with Don Kolstad
(open mediums)
…..Sign up link…..
SUPPLY LISTS AND DESCRIPTION FOR MICHELLE MISHAAN CLASSES
Workshop 1: Color Theory for the Curious Painter, All levels
Medium: Acrylics and oils
This relaxed, beginner-friendly workshop explores the joy of color through acrylic and oil painting. You will learn simple color theory concepts such as mixing, warm and cool colors, color harmony, contrasts, and how color can create mood in a painting. This class is designed for all levels and will focus on experimentation, confidence and having fun with paint. You may work with either acrylics or oils and are encouraged to use what you have whenever possible.
SUPPLIES: Canvas Paper, Mixed Media paper or small canvas board
Acrylic or oil paints{red, yellow, blue, white and black}
A few paint brushes, different sizes
Palette or disposable plate for mixing
Water cup for acrylic paints
Paper towels or rags
Pencil, Apron or old shirt
FOR OIL PAINTERS
Odorless mineral spirits or approved brush cleaner
Small container with lid for cleaner
Palette Knife, optional
BUDGET NOTE:
You do not need professional-grade paint. A basic student grade set is fine. The class can be completed with only primary colors, white and black.
WORKSHOP 2: WITH MICHELLE, Watercolor and Pastels {A Love Story} all levels
Medium: Watercolor and Pastels
This workshop introduces the combination of watercolor and pastels. Explore how watercolor can create soft backgrounds, flowing washes and layered effects. Pastels can add rich color, texture and details. Loosen up and experiment to discover new ways to combine these materials.
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
Watercolor paper or mixed media paper
Small watercolor set
Soft pastels or chalk pastels
A few watercolor brushes
Cup or Jar for water
Paper towels or rags
Pencil & Eraser
tape to hold paper down (optional)
HELPFUL:
Blending stump or cotton swabs
Small spray bottle
Kneaded eraser
PAINT LIKE AN ARTIST with Nancy Crawford
Learn to compose a beautiful painting from any photo. In this class we will look closely at building a good foundation for a painting through choices in composition and values, and then on to color! I call this class “Paint Like An Artist” to expand our thinking beyond coping to create. If you have ever taken photos that capture a special moment or a great memory but not a perfect photo, then that’s a great choice. In order to get closer to a completed painting in a short amount of time I’d suggest focusing primarily on landscapes, however the information you learn will be applicable to any further painting!
MEDIUM: Bring any medium you like to use
SESSION 1: Morning Supplies
. Sketchbook
. Grayscale value markers or a pencil & sharpener( or mechanical)
. Photo…Printed is best but not necessarily a good one (that’s what we will be working on) Or use one of mine. Electronics not recommended.
SESSION 2: Supplies
. Your sketchbook from session 1 or a predetermined sketch
. Your medium of choice
. One or two panels or papers about 9×12 or 12×16 depending on how fast a painter you are or if you’re okay with finishing later. It’s the start that’s most important.
ALL WATERCOLOR CLASSES WITH DON KOLSTAD
WATERCOLOR 1: SUPPLIES
I use Arches 140lb cold press paper cut into 8×10 sheets from a full sheet of 22×30”.
You are welcome to bring any other type but bad paper produces bad results.
I use Graham paints…A very good value for professional grade pigments.
COLORS:
. Azo Yellow
. Nepthol Red
. Ultramarine Blue
. Paynes Gray
. Transparent Red Oxide
I add these colors for my advance classes:
. Cobalt Blue
. Cerulean Blue
. Alizarin Crimson
. Dioxazine Purple
. Cadmium Yellow
. Cadmium Yellow Light
. any Turquoise
. Nickel Quinacridone Gold
I use rounds mostly for smaller paintings, #6 and #8 will work great for a 8×10” painting. To start with the synthetic brushes are very good these days and later you can move up to hair brushes.
I will be using masking fluid for the floral workshop…buy a colored version if you have a choice….and a rubber cement pickup…use a old or inexpensive brush to apply.
Bring a stapler that opens up, a board to staple the paper on (gator board) or sturdy cardboard. A water container that holds a couple of cups of water, paper towels, 1” or more masking tape and a hair dryer…
You can bring what you have and we’ll figure out what you can effectively use.
PLEIN AIR WITH DON KOLSTAD
For my Plein Air class I will be using oil and you can bring what you want to use. I’ll be working on a 8×10” board…
SUPPLIES:
. Basic red
. Basic Yellow
. Basic Blue
. White
THINKING OUTSIDE THE CANVAS with Brian Marten
SUPPLIES:
. 16×20” panel board and/or a framed wrapped canvas
. Gesso
. Standard brushes for your medium
. Flow thinner
.Gamvar (thickening agent)
. Satin Gloss (layering)
LOVE OF OCTOPUSES AND OTHER SEA CREATURES with Brian Martin
SUPPLIES:
. Panel board Canvas, 16×20”
. Thin blowing straw
. Rubbing Alcohol 90%
. Alcohol inks and/or whatever medium you want to use