Tara Sweeney
Watercolor Figure Magic: Step by Step
Aug 30 - Sep 4
4 Teaching Days
Description
Returning for the 7th year in 2026
Discover the magic of ordinary people at work and at play in this energizing watercolor workshop.
Whether you’re new or experienced, you’ll come away with essential tools to bring your figures to the next level. Analyze the structure of light, shadow, proportion and balance as you simplify figure shapes and values. Explore a layered approach to value and color. Instructor provides playful warmup exercises and step-by-step demos to help you paint dynamic transparent watercolor figures with striking values, glowing color and lively brushwork.
Numerous examples and individualized instructor feedback inspire painting figures with more confidence and originality. All levels of ability and experience welcome.
Biography
Tara Sweeney is an award-winning painter, illustrator, author and an experienced workshop instructor based in Saint Paul, MN. She is a signature member of NWS, TWSA, RRWS, MNWS and Northstar Water Media Society. Awards include: RRWS 2025 Gold Medal Award; TWSA 2024; NWS 2020, 2017; RRWS 2020-2025, MNWS 2006-2025, Northstar 2020-2025.
She represented MN in the NWS 50 Stars 2020 exhibit. Her picture book, A to Zåäö: Playing with History at the American Swedish Institute (University of MN Press, 2019) was a MN Book Award finalist and a solo exhibition, Extra/Ordinary, 2020. MN-TPT2 public television’s MN Original showcased her work. She earned undergraduate degrees in design and studio art from the University of WI, and an MFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She is professor emerita with Augsburg University where she taught drawing, painting and design for 25 years and led 10 European sketching programs. When she’s not painting, you’ll find her dancing just about anywhere there’s room to swing.
Learn More about Tara Sweeney
Fees
If 12 or more students attend class (all teaching days): $585
If 11-10 students attend class (all teaching days): $675
If 9-8 students attend class (all teaching days): $795
If 7-6 students attend class (all teaching days): $990
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Room & One Dinner Fee plus tax: $490
(There are 5 nights’ accommodations included in the “Room & One Dinner Fee” listed above.)
Itinerary
Sunday, Aug 30
Check-In to your unit at Dillman’s (check-in time is 3:00 p.m.)
5:00 p.m. Welcome Reception (included in package)
6:00 p.m. Dinner at Dillman’s (included in Room and Meal Package. $28 additional for day students.)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday – Aug 31 to Sept3
Breakfast On Own
9:00 a.m. – Noon Class in Session
Lunch On Own
Meals are on your own. All accommodations have cooking facilities. You may preorder box lunches and dinners for meals to be taken alone or with your group in: your studio, the lodge deck, cafe, or your accommodation. (Pre-ordering for lunches and dinners is required.)
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Class in Session
Thursday, Sept 3
9:00 a.m. – Noon Class in Session
NOON Champagne Toast & Dessert (included in package)
Lunch On Own
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Class in Session
4:00 p.m. Class ends
Friday, Sept 4
Depart – check-out time is 10:00 a.m.
Optional Events – Sign Up Required / Subject to Change:
Monday 5:00 p.m. Dine-Around Dinner (Depart from Lodge Lobby)
Monday 7:00 p.m. S’more Roast (no charge)
Tuesday 7:30 a.m. Yoga
Tuesday 5:00 p.m. Dine-Around Dinner (Depart from Lodge Lobby)
Wednesday Noon Pontoon Ride on White Sand Lake (no charge)
Wednesday 5:00 p.m. Moondeer & Friends Gallery Tour (no charge)
Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Dine-Around Dinner
Thursday 5:00 p.m. Dine-Around Dinner (Depart from Lodge Lobby)
Dine-Around Dinners: Registration required at the front desk, meet at 5:00 p.m. in the main lobby for carpooling.
Day students are welcome to attend the Welcome Reception and Farewell Reception (included in your package). You are also invited to join the class dinners (additional fee). PAL’s (Participants at large) can vacation at Dillman’s for $40 per night for accommodations. Costs for box lunches and dinners are additional.