Summer Landscape Painting Intensive
Spend five focused days painting the mountains, fields, and light of southern Vermont in summer. During this intensive, you’ll focus on the development of your technique, eye, and personal approach to landscape painting.
Enrollment is now closed for Summer 2026
August 17-21, 2026
Location: Bennington, Vermont
Format: In-person, non-credit
Audience: Ages 18+
Experience Level: Some painting experience required
Bennington alumni are eligible for an additional 10% discount.
Spend a week painting outdoors, weather permitting, in the hills and fields surrounding Bennington College. This intensive workshop invites artists to slow down, observe carefully, and develop new approaches to landscape painting.
Through a combination of demonstrations, outdoor painting sessions, and group critiques, the workshop emphasizes both technical development and personal expression. Participants will explore techniques for translating light, atmosphere, and place into compelling work.
Guided by a visiting artist (to be announced), the program emphasizes both technical development and personal expression. Additional information will be forthcoming.
Program Highlights
- Daily plein air painting sessions in southern Vermont landscapes
- Instruction in composition and spatial structure in landscape painting
- Observing and translating natural light and color
- Techniques in efficient plein air painting
- Strategies for developing finished works from outdoor studies
- Constructive critique and dialogue about painting
- Dedicated time for focused, uninterrupted painting
Designed for
- Adult painters seeking a focused summer studio experience
- Emerging artists building a portfolio of landscape work
- Undergraduate or pre-college art students
- Artists interested in plein-air methods and observational painting
- Creative individuals seeking a retreat-style experience
Participants should have some prior experience with painting materials, but all media are welcome.
Location and Experience
Set in the mountains of southern Vermont, Bennington College offers an environment designed for focused and creative work.
Participants will paint in nearby fields, wooded areas, and scenic viewpoints within walking or short driving distance to campus. The rhythm of the program balances instruction with extended time outdoors, allowing you to observe, experiment, and develop your work in direct response to the landscape.
Mornings are structured, with faculty-led instruction. Afternoons are more flexible with opportunities for individual or group work, informal collaboration, or exploration of campus and the surrounding area. Evenings are unstructured, giving you space to rest, connect, or continue your work in your own way.
Pricing and Logistics
Tuition: $700
Room: $550 (optional)
Board: $450 (optional)
Bennington alumni are eligible for an additional 10% discount.
Duration: One week, with participants arriving August 16 and departing August 22
Format: In-person, non-credit
Eligibility: Ages 18+
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course for credit?
No, this is a non-credit summer program.
Can I attend the program online?
No. The program is only available in-person.
How do I request accommodations and support?
If you need accommodations and support, please email summer@bennington.edu.
What is the time commitment each day?
Mornings are structured, with faculty-led sessions. Afternoons are more flexible with opportunities for individual or group work, informal collaboration, or exploration of campus and the surrounding area. Evenings are unstructured, giving you space to rest, connect, or continue your work in your own way.
Is there wifi available?
Yes. Bennington offers two wireless networks. Please view more information about accessing Bennington’s wifi networks.
How do I get to campus?
Please see more information about getting to Campus.
What is the refund policy?
- Cancel by June 15, 2026 - Full refund
- Cancel by July 15, 2026 - 50% refund
- Cancel by August 1, 2026 - No refund
Can I get scholarships or financial aid from Bennington College for summer programs?
We do not currently offer scholarships or financial aid for summer programs.
Can I set up a payment plan for summer programs?
We do not currently offer payment plans.
What art supplies do I need to bring?
We will be painting both in the studio and outside. While painting outside you will need a tote to carry your painting equipment.
EASEL
We recommend you bring a portable easel, such as this kind.
For watercolor and oil painters we recommend the following COLORS:
- Ultramarine Blue
- Cobalt Blue
- Alizarin Crimson
- Cadmium Red Light
- Cadmium Orange
- Viridian Green
- Cadmium Yellow Medium
- Cadmium Yellow Light
- Titanium White
We recommend a good quality paint, typically we use Winsor Newton.
Bring a small bottle of Liquin medium, we will not be using turpentine.
BRUSHES
We recommend flat brushes for oil painting -the following sizes should be fine:
- Flats, # 2,4,6 & 8 ~natural bristle, however bring your favorite brushes as well.
- For watercolor, bring an assortment of both flat and round, sable or synthetic are fine.
PAINTING SURFACES
We are going to be painting & drawing a lot during this week:
- oil: 11” x 14” panels, at least 10 (canvas paper could work as well)
- watercolor: a pad of Arches cold press paper #140 pound, 11” x 16”, the 12 sheet pad may be enough, and a board to tape your paper to while you work.
Pastel: A box of at least 24 pastels will work, soft or hard. Nu pastel or Rembrandt’s would be
ideal.
Surface: Sanded pastel board or paper sheets. A board to work on will be needed if you have
paper sheets.
- Any sizes larger than 11” x 14” will work great.
- 10 sheets / sanded boards should be enough
DRAWING SUPPLIES
- Sketch book you are comfortable with, news print is fine but drawing paper will be more sturdy
- 9” x 12” or larger
- Eraser
- Ruler
- Pencils (ebony or #2)
- Blending stumps
NOTE: We are a group of Artists coming together to create and learn, bring any materials in addition to what’s listed above you enjoy using. Be aware we will be standing outside to paint much of the time ~so bring sturdy shoes, taking into consideration the Vermont terrain. We will be in the outdoor elements while not in the studio, sun screen, a hat, and bug spray may be needed.
Additional questions can be directed to summer@bennington.edu.