3-Day Plein Air workshop with Kimball Geisler

Details
Room
Visual Arts Classroom
Presented by
CTAC Traverse City
Begins
Ends
Time
Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Member tuition
$600.00
Non-member tuition

$650.00 (become a member)

Register by
Register Now!
Description

Study with a nationally recognized plein air artist and Paint Grand Traverse 2025 Awards Juror—right here in Traverse City!

Kimball Geisler, an award-winning plein air painter, is bringing his sought-after plein air workshop to Traverse City—offering artists a unique opportunity to learn without the need for extensive travel. His workshops attract artists from across the country, and this is a rare chance to study with him in the stunning landscapes of the Grand Traverse region.

Workshop Overview:

Gain a fresh perspective on plein air painting while exploring the rich natural beauty of the Greater Grand Traverse area. This immersive three-day workshop will focus on strong composition and the critical role of value in achieving dynamic and compelling paintings.

  • Day 1: Mastering form through value – Learn how light and shadow define shape and create depth.
  • Day 2: Strengthening value structure – Understand how value relationships bring clarity and impact to a painting.
  • Day 3: Bringing it all together – Combine form, value, and structure with key compositional techniques to create paintings that truly “sing.”

Daily Schedule:

  • Each morning begins with a visual presentation and lecture (1 hour) featuring instructional images on a large screen.
  • We then head into the field, where Kimball will start with a demonstration before breaking for lunch.
  • The afternoon is dedicated to student painting sessions, with Kimball providing individual feedback and guidance throughout the day.

Optional One-on-One Feedback:

At the end of each session, Kimball will be available (time permitting) to offer additional one-on-one critiques. Students are also welcome to bring work from home for personalized feedback—this is completely optional but a great opportunity to gain deeper insight into your work.

 

 

SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
Supply list
Geisler, Kimball.docx.pdf
Supplies provided
No
Art Area
Visual Arts
Medium
Acrylic
Oil
Painting
Instructor(s)

Kimball Geisler

Instructor
CTAC Traverse City
kmbllgeisler@gmail.com
https://www.kimballgeisler.com/

I graduated from BYU-Idaho with a BFA in April 2015.  From my time there I gained a deep appreciation of realism in art and discovered a passion for landscape painting.  I experimented with Plein Air painting and found that the more time I spent outdoors, the more I wanted landscape to be a part of my life. I made a decision to devote my career to the study of nature through painting.

 The faculty at BYU-Idaho gave me the traditional foundation I needed as a starting point for my passion. One teacher who was particularly influential was Albin Veselka who taught part-time and is an accomplished full-time painter. With his down-to-earth teaching style and vast knowledge of the arts, Albin gave me the knowledge and feedback my work needed, while allowing me to question and explore the many facets of painting. Albin’s teachings have been invaluable to me and continue to influence me as an artist.

 Spending time out in nature is a necessity for me, both as an artist and as a human being. I think John Muir said it best when writing about the Sierra Nevada Mountain passes, “They will kill care, save you from deadly apathy, set you free, and call forth every faculty into vigorous, enthusiastic action. Even the sick should try these so-called dangerous passes, because for every unfortunate they kill, they cure a thousand.” Going forward in my career as an artist, I want my work to capture nature and its idiosyncrasies. I hope that by doing so I can remind people about the real world that surrounds them.

 

Cancellation & Class Policies

Cancellation Policy for Traverse City Classes (In-Person)

Student Withdrawal
Requests for cancellation by the student at least seven (7) days prior to the first day of class will be honored (minus a $20 processing fee).  NO REFUNDS will be given for a student cancellation made less than seven (7) days in advance of the first day of the class.

Class Cancellations (Weather)
In the event of inclement weather, CTAC-TC will announce the cancellation on its website and phone system (231-941-9488). We will do our best to provide a make-up opportunity for the missed class. Refunds will not be given if the student is unable to attend the rescheduled session of class. Please note that CTAC-TC does not follow Traverse City Area Public School closings.

Student Absence
We are unable to offer refunds or make-up sessions for classes missed due to student absence.

Minimum Enrollment
Crooked Tree Arts Center reserves the right to cancel any class that does not meet its minimum student enrollment prior to the first class session. If a class is cancelled by CTAC for lack of enrollment, CTAC will offer a full refund to the student in the manner in which tuition was paid. (Cash payments will be refunded by check.)