“Mitchell is a master at breaking down complex painting principles into clear, digestible lessons that artists at any level can understand … He takes the overwhelm out of learning the foundational principles.” – Julie deBoer, Artist & Founder of Mastrius, the global mentorship community for artists
2026
For the remainder of 2026, there will be no classes or workshops, only the author events listed below.
2027
Click Workshops and Classes to see 2027 offerings.
UPCOMING AUTHOR EVENTS: FALL 2026
NEW LESSONS IN LANDSCAPE PAINTING:
Key Concepts and Exercises in Color and Composition
Available Oct. 13, 2026
ORDER YOUR COPY
The third and final volume in my 3-book series, featuring new topics, exercises, and demonstrations not covered in either of my two previous books. With over 100 paintings by 54 artists.
Visit the “New Lessons” book page for contents, reviews, videos, and sample pages.
I have one remaining author event scheduled for Nov. 17. At each event you’ll hear the answer to the question I’m asked most often: How does this new book differ from my previous books on landscape? After a brief tour of the topics, exercises, and demonstrations in the book, and previewing some of the extraordinary painters whose work is featured, I’ll address one topic from the book in greater depth, so you can walk away with some practical strategies you can apply immediately. Each session will wrap up with audience Q&A on all things landscape painting.
All events are free.
NOV. 17 – MASTRIUS
ONLINE: Tuesday Nov. 17, 2026 | 4–5:30 pm PST
with presentation on As part of the event, Mitchell will present a focused lesson on color. We all know the importance of value, but value also controls how much of a color’s innate hue we can perceive. Push a color too light or too dark and it loses much of its hue identity; keep it mid-range and the color interactions come alive. Mitchell will compare strategies for suggesting light that rely more on strong value contrasts with those that rely more on color contrasts.
FREE event. REGISTER
ARTFUL:MINDS Podcast: Interview & Inspirational Discussion with Q&A – Nov. 5
With presentation on color temperature
Watch on YouTube
Online Recordings: “Technique Takeaway” Mini-Workshops
Winslow Art Center offers weekly online mini-workshops called “Technique Takeaways.” I’ve given seven of these. $40 gives you access for two months. See all Technique Takeaways.
2027
The Language of Shape and the Art of Simplification
IN-PERSON: Sat–Sun, May 22–23, 2027 | 9 am – 4 pm daily
Pacific Northwest Art School on Whidbey Island, Wash.
“It’s easy to paint a thousand points of light with a thousand brushstrokes. It’s much more difficult — but infinitely more eloquent — to paint a thousand points of light with only one hundred strokes.” – Mitchell Albala, from Landscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice
Painting or drawing a shape is not that difficult, but seeing that shape through layers of color, detail, and complexity requires a practiced shift in perception. In this workshop, working from your own photos and/or those supplied by the instructor, you’ll do several exercises designed to encourage your eye and hand toward the simplified shape interpretation that is the backbone of the landscape painting experience. Additionally, you’ll discover the inherent beauty of paintings built with simplified shapes. Can simplified shapes do more with less? This workshop will cover:
- limited focus – the first step of simplification
- limited values to help differentiate (clarify) shapes
- shape combining
- discriminating between “foundational” and “subordinate” shapes
- building a composition from a foundation of 10 shapes or fewer
- 80/20 rule – subordinating detail in favor of dominant shapes
Level: This workshop is not suitable for first-time painters (those who have never painted or mixed color at all), but it is ideally suited for those new to landscape and plein air painting, or those who want to better understand simplification and massing.
Open to all media: Oil, pastel, watercolor, or acrylic.
Before you enroll: This is not a technique-oriented class. There won’t be time for specific instruction on how to work with your chosen medium. The expectation is that you have a working proficiency with your medium. In particular, acrylic painters should 1) have a Sta-wet palette and know how to use it; and 2) know how to blend and manage acrylic’s fast drying properties.
Mitchell is a patient instructor whose dedication is apparent. He is very clear with critique … and does not lose sight of the magical quality that painting has and balances this well with technical knowledge to create an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. – participant, The Contemporary Impressionist Landscape, 2024
Landscape Essentials: Conscious Composition
IN-PERSON: Wednesday–Friday, August 25-27
Dakota Art in Mt. Vernon, Wash.
Media: Open to oil and pastel painters.
Level: This is not a workshop for first-time painters (those who have never painted or mixed color at all); however, it is ideally suited for intermediate to advanced painters who want to take greater control of their compositions.
For many painters, composition remains the most elusive area of their practice. This is because its energies are often abstract or hidden beneath the narrative story of the painting. The goal of this workshop is to expose these energies and take greater control of your composition. The workshop takes an accessible and practical approach to composition. Rather than learning a long list of principles and elements of design, you will work with aspects of composition that are directly observable within your subjects. You’ll learn the choicesthat practically affect your compositions. Working from photographs, with practical exercises in both black-and-white and color, critiques, and analysis of master compositions, this workshop will cover:
- The 4 Aspects of Variation – The essential qualities that keep a composition alive and engaging. How do various shapes differ from one another in their “pacing and spacing,” size, weight, and orientation?
- The Picture Window and Its Format applied to the subject has a profound effect on the composition. What will be included, what will be left out, and how do the primary shapes relate to one another? How does format — horizontal, vertical, or square — affect the composition?
- Movement animates a composition. Learn about movement through diagonals, the difference between “direct” and “implied”pathways, circular movement, and how to diagram movement in your subjects.