Take this opportunity to work alongside Paul in his private studio. Class is strictly limited to 6 students to ensure one to one instruction.
This class is by portfolio submission. If your submission is accepted, you will then have a consultation with Paul at his studio where you will bring original work. During your consultation Paul will begin to evaluate your present skill level while discussing the direction of your art. At the end of the consult, a program will be tailored exclusively for you.
Class is held every Thursday from 9:30AM to 4:00PM. Tuition is $125.00 per day.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Paul directly at
Paul Wyse applying the final touches on a commission.
Thursday class in session.
Workshop Image Gallery
McCormack Studios, Inc. Wappingers Falls, NY Portrait in Watercolor 5 Day Workshop
McCormack Studios, Inc. Vicky Mclain working on her portrait during the 2011 workshop.
Bay Area Classical Artist Atelier San Francisco, CA 5-day watercolor portrait workshop
2007 Art of the Carolina's Raleigh, NC Portrait in Oil Demo
2007 Art of the Carolina's Raleigh, NC Portrait in Oil Workshop 3 models & a full house
Andreeva Portrait Academy Santa Fe, NM Dueling Demos Paul McCormack & David Kassan
New Zealand Art Schools Wellington, NZ Wonderful group of students in the real down under.
McCormack Studios, Inc.
Wappingers Falls, NY
Portrait in Watercolor 5 Day Workshop
McCormack Studios, Inc.
17 year old Marta with her very first watercolor portrait from the 2011 workshop.
McCormack Studios, Inc. Wappingers Falls, NY Break Time
New Zealand Art Schools
Wellington, NZ
5 Day Portrait in Watercolor - Demo
McCormack Studios, Inc. Portrait Drawing from Life Demonstration.
Workshops at McCormack Studios
Take this opportunity to learn from nationally recognized portrait artist, Paul W. McCormack. Students will be working from a live model and or photographic reference as Paul demonstrates and lectures on all the principles and techniques needed to execute a traditional portrait. To ensure personal guidance from Paul throughout each program, workshops are strictly limited to 8 students. With demonstrations and lectures given each day students are taken through a step-by-step procedure…watch, listen, learn, and then apply. Combined with individual attention, critiques and hands on instruction, students will have the opportunity to create a finished portrait under Paul’s guidance. Beginners and advanced students alike will certainly benefit from the experience.
The Facilities
PLEASE NOTE that the McCormack Studios will be moving in June of 2013 to a new location at 129 Overlook Avenue in Beacon, NY. The new location is marked on the Plan your Visit page +. Presently the studio is located in the Market Street Industrial Park of Wappingers Falls, NY, McCormack Studios is housed in the former Historic Dutchess/Garner Print Works building. All workshops are held in Paul’s personal working studio, with over 750 square feet of space, 16-foot high ceilings and large north lit windows. Easels and Tabourets are provided.
Travel and Accommodations McCormack Studios is centrally located in the Hudson River Valley an area that boasts fine dining establishments, better lodging and many culturally significant attractions. For detailed information please visit the Plan your Visitpage of the website.
2013 Workshop Schedule
Registration forms for workshops held in the McCormack Studios can be found at the bottom of this page. For workshops held outside of the McCormack Studios please refer to the website of the hosting facility for prices and information.
For the exacting realism found in Paul’s work, most of day one will focus primarily on the drawing aspect of the portrait. Photographs of a model will be supplied to the student. With instruction on the proper use of angles, plumb lines and relative measurement, students will learn how to acquire correct proportions in order to achieve a likeness of the model. Using this method a line drawing will be executed by the student on drawing paper and broken down into 2 values of light shadow. The drawing will then be transferred to a sheet of 140lb cold pressed watercolor paper that has been pre-stretched. As the course continues, this intensive 5 day workshop will then focus on painting and the 3 basic watercolor techniques that Paul uses to execute all of his watercolor paintings; wet-into-wet, wet-onto-dry (glazing) and his signature dry brush technique. Lectures will include basic color theory, how to see and execute correct value relations, proper treatment of edges, and so much more.
Here is your opportunity to learn the primary foundation for all portrait work. This course is specifically designed for the beginning and intermediate portrait artist that seldom works from life or perhaps has been too intimidated to try. It is Paul’s belief that only by working and studying from life an artist will be able to tell truth from lie if the need to work from photographic reference arises. With instruction on the proper use of angles, plumb lines and relative measurement, students will learn how to acquire correct proportions in order to achieve a likeness of the model. With the inclusion of rendering techniques you will learn how to draw and render form in a realistic fashion.
This course is designed for the beginning and intermediate artist. Students will be working from a live model as Paul demonstrates and lectures on the techniques and principles used in creating a traditional portrait in oil. Beginning with an open grisaille on a toned canvas, students will learn how to acquire correct proportions in order to achieve a likeness. The course will then continue with a focus on color mixing, and paint application. Additional lectures will include setting up a palette, the use of mediums, types of brushes, how to see and execute correct value relations, proper treatment of edges, and more. A direct approach to oil painting will be used in this 3 day intensive workshop.
In today’s competitive market of portraiture all professional artists eventually find that it’s necessary to learn how to properly work from photographic reference. In addition to Paul’s regular course of instruction, lectures will include how to take good photographic reference shots, lighting and posing your subject, printing your own photos for optimal color and how to deal with distortion.
For the exacting realism found in Paul’s work, most of day one will focus primarily on the drawing aspect of the portrait. Photographs of a model will be supplied to the student. With instruction on the proper use of angles, plumb lines and relative measurement, students will learn how to acquire correct proportions in order to achieve a likeness of the model. Using this method a line drawing will be executed by the student on drawing paper and broken down into 2 values of light shadow. The drawing will then be transferred to a sheet of 140lb cold pressed watercolor paper that has been pre-stretched. As the course continues, this intensive 5 day workshop will then focus on painting and the 3 basic watercolor techniques that Paul uses to execute all of his watercolor paintings; wet-into-wet, wet-onto-dry (glazing) and his signature dry brush technique. Lectures will include basic color theory, how to see and execute correct value relations, proper treatment of edges, and so much more.
Students will be working from a live model as Paul demonstrates and lectures on the techniques and principles used in creating a traditional portrait in oil.
Beginning with a drawing, students will learn how to acquire correct proportions in order to achieve a likeness. Drawings will then be transferred to the canvas and inked in followed by a full color ébauche. The course will then continue with demonstrations and lectures on color mixing, and paint application. Students will learn how and when to work with thin and thick paint, the theory behind the use of broken color, how to see and execute correct value relations, proper treatment of edges and how to model features in a realistic fashion.
In today’s competitive market of portraiture all professional artists eventually find that it’s necessary to learn how to properly work from photographic reference. In addition to Paul's regular course of instruction, lectures will include how to take good photographic reference shots, lighting and posing your subject, printing your own photos for optimal color and how to deal with distortion.
Photographs of a model will be supplied to the student. Beginning with a drawing, students will learn how to acquire correct proportions in order to achieve a likeness. Drawings will then be transferred to the canvas and inked in followed by a full color ébauche. The course will then continue with demonstrations and lectures on color mixing, and paint application. Students will learn how and when to work with thin and thick paint, the theory behind the use of broken color, how to see and execute correct value relations, proper treatment of edges and how to model features in a realistic fashion.
Here is your opportunity to learn the primary foundation for all portrait work. This course is specifically designed for the beginning and intermediate portrait artist that seldom works from life or perhaps has been too intimidated to try. It is Paul’s belief that only by working and studying from life an artist will be able to tell truth from lie if the need to work from photographic reference arises. With instruction on the proper use of angles, plumb lines and relative measurement, students will learn how to acquire correct proportions in order to achieve a likeness of the model. With the inclusion of rendering techniques you will learn how to draw and render form in a realistic fashion.
Here is a great opportunity to take one of my workshops in a one day format. Held at the Hilton Hotel in Raleigh, NC the AOC offers over 120 workshops, a huge art material trade show with bargains galore…the entire event is simply a blast.
Information and Registration for Workshops held at the McCormack Studios For workshops held outside of the McCormack Studios please refer to the website of the hosting facility for prices and information.
Deposits:Enrollment in all workshops is very limited. A deposit of 50% of the tuition shall be necessary to reserve a place; reservations are made on a first come first reserved basis. The balance of the tuition will be due two weeks prior to the start date of the workshop.
Cancellation Policy:Workshop participants may cancel up to 30 days prior to the start date of the workshop. The cancellation must be made in writing. Prior to the 30 days the deposit and any tuition monies paid over the deposit will be refunded, less a $75.00 cancellation fee. For cancellations with less than 30 days notice, the deposit is non-refundable. We cannot be responsible for refunds or credits of workshops missed due to illness, emergencies or events beyond our control.
Registration: There are 2 ways to register for workshops held at the McCormack Studios.
Option 1: Download and print out the registration form and mail it in with your check or money order.
Option 2: Register online and pay by credit card through a secure transaction online. An email confirmation will be sent to you within 48 hours of your payment.
Download and print out the registration form: Click Here
Make payment here: Use the drop down menu to pay in full or to make a deposit only. After a successful transaction you will be redirected to the Home Page.
Travel and Accommodations:
For travel information and accommodations please visit the about page
Additional workshops are being continually added. To stay informed of all future workshops be sure to join our mailing list found on the contact page. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about a workshop program please contact us at info@mccormackstudios.com.
