Richard McKinley workshop

I just spent the better part of the week in Santa Barbara, CA painting.

I took a workshop with Richard McKinley.  This is the second time I've taken one of his workshops, and he's the only painter that I've ever felt motivated to study with more than once.  At the first workshop of his that I took I think I was the only one (of 18 or so) who hadn't taken a workshop with him before.  I remember thinking that I couldn't imaging taking a workshop with anyone multiple times (usually I feel like I learn what I can from each instructor and move on).  To my surprise, here I was 2 years later back for another dose.

This time it was an oil painting workshop (Richard is best known as a pastel instructor).  I've been getting back into the oils, so when I got a call that a spot opened up on the waiting list I figured I'd give it a go.

Richard has boundless knowledge that he's more than happy to share, and a unique capacity to help painters at all levels.  He has a unique capacity to talk while he demos, usually discussing what he's thinking and doing but also to be able to answer arbitrary questions that might not even be related to the painting in process. 

Richard also demos a different technique during every demo.  At the first workshop he demoed twice a day for 5 days in a row.  That's totally unheard of.  This time around he demoed once each of the 3 days of the workshop.

If you ever get a chance, I'd highly recommend one of his workshops.

I'll post some paintings from the trip in the next day or so.