Moab: 5-Day Plein Air Watercolor Workshop with Carol Newsom

Exploring the Moab 5-Day Plein Air Watercolor Workshop with Carol Newsom offers a focused and inspiring artistic retreat set against Utah’s breathtaking red rock landscapes. This immersive experience is designed for artists eager to hone their watercolor skills in an outdoor environment, with expert instruction, daily demos, and opportunities for personalized feedback. The tour spans four hours per session, giving ample time to paint iconic vistas like towering mesas and winding canyons, all while connecting with fellow artists and enjoying local cuisine.

This workshop is suitable for both seasoned artists and those new to watercolor painting. The group size is limited, ensuring personalized attention from Carol Newsom, whose guidance is a key highlight. The experience includes practical preparation tips, such as a pre-workshop video on packing and outdoor setup. While not suitable for children under 18, the focus on outdoor painting and the need to bring outdoor gear make this a well-rounded, engaging artistic journey.

Key Points

• 5-day watercolor workshop in Moab, Utah, focusing on plein air painting
• Led by experienced instructor Carol Newsom with daily demos and feedback
• Includes practical prep advice via a pre-workshop video on packing and outdoor setup
• Stunning locations feature desert vistas, mesas, canyons, and Arches National Park
• Group activities involve casual critiques and chances to connect over local food
• Limited spots ensure a personalized experience, filling quickly
• Duration varies with sessions lasting around 4 hours, ideal for outdoor painting

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Location and Meeting Details in Moab

The workshop takes place in and around Moab, Utah, a town famous for its striking red rock scenery. The specific meeting point will be determined later, but the coordinates are 38.57329177856445, -109.55077362060547. This flexible starting location allows for convenient access to popular painting spots, including nearby Arches National Park.

The meeting places are arranged close to the scenic outdoor locations where the on-location painting sessions occur. This means participants should be prepared for outdoor conditions, making gear like comfortable clothes, a hat, sunscreen, and water essential for comfort and safety.

What to Expect During the 5-Day Painting Sessions

Each day in this workshop is devoted to plein air watercolor painting in Moab’s remarkable landscapes. On-location sessions focus on capturing the glowing desert vistas, towering mesas, and winding canyons that define the area. The live demos from Carol Newsom guide participants through various techniques suited for outdoor painting, emphasizing how to adapt watercolor methods to the changing natural light.

Participants receive personalized feedback from Carol, helping refine their skills and develop their artistic voice. Evenings feature casual group critiques where artists share their work, gain insights, and enjoy local cuisine. The schedule is paced to allow each artist enough time to work outdoors, with sessions typically lasting around 4 hours, encouraging a relaxed yet productive atmosphere.

Practical Tips and Preparation for Outdoor Painting

A key part of this workshop is learning how to pack and prepare for outdoor watercolor painting. Participants are encouraged to watch a pre-workshop video that covers essential packing tips, including what to bring to stay comfortable and be productive. Necessary items include a daypack, charged smartphone, biodegradable insect repellent, and clothes that can get dirty.

Since the workshop occurs in a desert environment, sun protection is vital—sunscreen, a hat, and sunscreen are highly recommended. The outdoor setting means participants should also be prepared for insects and variable weather, making outdoor clothing and insect repellent important packing considerations.

Locations and Subjects Highlighted for Painting

The landscapes in Moab provide an incredible variety of subjects for watercolor artists. Participants will paint iconic desert vistas, including views of red rock formations and winding canyons. The proximity to Arches National Park offers the opportunity to paint the famous glowing arches, especially during the magic hours of early morning and late afternoon.

The Colorado River is another notable feature, offering quiet majesty and dynamic water reflections that are ideal for watercolor techniques. The area’s dramatic light and vibrant colors are perfect for artists seeking to capture the desert’s natural beauty in their work.

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The Role of Instructor Carol Newsom

Carol Newsom, the guiding instructor, is known for her approachable teaching style and expertise in watercolor techniques. Her focus during demos is on helping participants adapt their painting to outdoor conditions, demonstrating how to best capture the landscape’s changing light and colors. Carol’s personalized feedback during the sessions ensures that each artist can develop their skills while staying inspired by Moab’s scenery.

Her guidance is complemented by her ability to explain painting techniques clearly, making this workshop suitable even for beginners just starting to explore watercolor plein air painting.

Logistics, Group Size, and Flexibility

The workshop’s group size is limited, which helps ensure each participant receives individual attention. The meeting point is flexible and will be confirmed closer to the start date, but the focus remains on convenient access to Moab’s outdoor painting locations.

Participants can reserve their spot now and pay later, offering flexibility for travel planning. The cancellation policy allows for a full refund if canceled up to 24 hours in advance, making it easy to plan for this artistic adventure.

Comparing Similar Experiences in the Region

While this workshop focuses specifically on Moab’s landscapes, similar experiences in the area include horseback riding tours, sunset excursions, and guided scenic tours in Monument Valley. However, none of these alternatives emphasize plein air watercolor painting in such a natural setting as Moab does.

Other nearby activities include dinner cruises on the Colorado River or 4×4 backcountry tours, but for artists looking to combine location-specific painting with expert instruction, this workshop provides a unique opportunity.

Final Thoughts on the Moab Watercolor Workshop

This 5-day plein air watercolor workshop offers a compelling blend of artistic growth and natural beauty. The focus on iconic desert landscapes like arches, mesas, and canyons makes it a rich environment for artists seeking to improve their outdoor watercolor skills.

The expert guidance of Carol Newsom, combined with practical preparation tips and casual group critiques, creates a supportive environment where creativity can flourish. The limited group size ensures personalized attention, making this a valuable experience for those serious about landscape watercolor painting.

While it’s best suited for adult artists comfortable with outdoor activity, the flexible schedule and full refund policy make it manageable to plan. For anyone eager to capture Moab’s stunning vistas in watercolor, this workshop is a well-organized, inspiring choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of each session?
Each plein air painting session lasts approximately 4 hours, allowing enough time to develop a piece outdoors.

Who leads the workshop?
The workshop is led by Carol Newsom, an experienced watercolor instructor who provides demos and personalized feedback.

Where does the workshop start?
The meeting point will be confirmed later, but it is in Moab, Utah, with the coordinates 38.57329177856445, -109.55077362060547.

What do I need to bring?
Participants should bring a hat, camera, sunscreen, water, biodegradable insect repellent, comfortable outdoor clothes, a daypack, and a charged smartphone.

Is the workshop suitable for beginners?
Yes, beginners are welcome, especially as the instructor offers demos and personalized feedback suitable for all skill levels.

Can I cancel my reservation?
Yes, cancellations are accepted up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is there a limit on the number of participants?
Yes, the group size is limited, which helps ensure a more personalized experience.

What makes this workshop unique?
The focus on plein air watercolor painting in Moab’s iconic landscapes, combined with expert guidance and practical outdoor painting tips, sets this experience apart.

Are meals included?
Evenings feature local cuisine, but specific meal details are not provided, so participants should plan accordingly.

Is this experience available year-round?
Yes, the best times are during the spring, when the environment offers ideal lighting and scenery for plein air painting.

Can I reserve my spot in advance?
Yes, you can reserve now and pay later, providing flexibility for planning your trip.

You can check availability for your dates here: More Great Tours Nearby