LOSING MY EDGE!

One-Day Intensive Painting Workshop

Sunday, October 26, 2025, 10am-5pm, Monadnock Area Artists' Association, Keene, NH

Register Here!

Why do we paint what we paint, and how do we choose to tell that story? Join us for an intensive one-day workshop with Charlie Hunter where we dive into the language and technique of atmospheric, low-chroma painting.

For one day, we will put aside color, and instead we will rely on edges and values in our paintings - and the results can be a revelation!

This small-group workshop, limited to 14 participants, is intended for those serious about expanding their creative vocabulary and technique. Beginning with a discussion of why we paint, and where we are on our respective journeys, I will do a live demonstration painting, during which discussion and questions are encouraged. Participants will then work on their own, until reconvening for a group critique.

Unwittingly, we often rely on color to do much - sometimes too much - of the heavy lifting in a painting. My demonstration painting will rely on value and edge, rather than chroma, to tell its story. This is a valuable exercise for participants to try, should they wish to.

As this is an indoor workshop, I will do my demonstration painting using a preexisting drawing as my reference. I will share a video link of my drawing process - starting with a photograph and doing a drawing from that - prior to the start of the workshop.

THE DAY’S SCHEDULE

We will gather at 10:00 am, and get to know one another a bit, talking a little about who we are, and where we are on our creative journey. From around 11:00 am until 12:30 or so, I’ll do a demonstration painting, and then each participant will set up and work on their own.

Lunch break is at participant’s discretion. As I have compromised mobility on my right side, I will not come around and hover in the background – I will sit myself down at what we call “the therapy table,” and folks will come to me if they have questions or seek my counsel.

At 3:30 pm, everyone will gather, setting up their easels in a half-circle, with their painting on display. We will do a positive group critique and discussion of each work until 5:00 pm.

THE OVERVIEW

There is no one “correct” way to approach the creative process; each of us reacts to shadows, forms and light differently; each of us has our own way of telling a story. It is expected that you already know at least the rudiments of painting; I am not here to dictate how one “should” paint, nor am I here to instruct on basic drawing or painting fundamentals.

Metaphorically, I view this much like a one-day creative writing workshop: we trust you already know what the parts of speech are and that you know how to write a grammatical sentence. In the short amount of time we have together, using the same visual prompt, as it were, we will all strive to write a couple of terrific paragraphs, and then we will talk about how it went, the triumphs and challenges; the great sentences and the ones that could use a little work.

I do not have a “required materials” list: if you have a set-up you regularly use for painting, that’s wonderful – just use it. Pastel, acrylic, gouache, oil – I don’t care what your medium is – I want to see how you tell your story.

I do, however, understand that oftentimes people are interested in seeing just how I paint, and are interested in trying on the “Charlie Hunter outfit” for a day to see how it feels. If participants are interested in trying my technique, I will have “mark-making sets” and recommended surfaces available for purchase. Participants are welcome to use my water-mixable oils and mediums at no cost, but should bring their own bowl for water, and a small cup for medium.

Again, thanks so much for choosing to spend a day exploring beauty. In a world filled with ugliness and pain, we are lucky bugs to get to do this.
~Charlie

Register Here!