Workshops
To stay up to date with virtual and in-person workshops, sign up here.
Please reach out to inquire about private, group, or workshops at your institution. I am always happy to discuss possibilities.
Some Words from Students:
"Ben Hamburger is a uniquely gifted artist and teacher. He clearly and concisely explains key concepts and techniques and then provides illustrative demonstrations at the beginning of each class. More importantly, throughout a painting session, he provides insightful direction that helps the student artist to see what is “off” and what should be a next step. He listens carefully to ALL and is a patient and kind instructor who provides a supportive learning environment to every student!"
- Shelly D., Alla Prima Painting, Acrylic Underpainting, and Expressive Landscape Painting Student
"What a wonderful teacher and artist Ben is! He is extremely generous with his talent, bringing out the best of each student's own strengths as we learn and paint with him. His courses are well planned--hands-on, enjoyable, and no wasted time. In class, we talk about the topic du jour, generally with a brief demo, and then we plunge into our own work as he circulates, giving individual attention. In the classes that I have had with him, each student has been delighted with his / her development. I am a better painter thanks to working with Ben Hamburger."
-Suzan C., Plein Air Painting and Alla Prima Painting student
"If you want to pick up painting tricks of the trade, take one of the many methods classes. If you want to become a more confident and proficient painter true to your own style, take classes with Ben Hamburger. He has that special gift that has students of all ages and levels returning to study with him for a long time."
-Howard S., Plein Air Painting, and Alla Prima Painting
Painting the Night, Online with Penn Studio School
Dates: October 2 to October 30 (Mondays), 5 Weeks
Time: 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern Time, 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM Central Time
Price: $265.00
Course Description: The qualities of light, color, and atmosphere shift dramatically as the sun goes down. The challenge of nocturne painting can increase our sensitivity to color and provide unique opportunities to play with illumination and light.During this five-session workshop, we will focus on exercises and techniques to strengthen your ability to capture the landscape and cityscape at nighttime (if you want to focus on figures or other subject matter, that is great too).
Each class, there will be a presentation, demo, and short painting exercises focusing on specific skills. Outside of class, students are encouraged to work on homework exercises and/or longer format paintings for review the following week.While photographic reference images will be utilized in class, the concepts we discuss will apply to working en plein air as well.
This class is open to acrylic or oil painters. Folks of all painting levels are welcome to join, but some painting experience is required. All sessions are live and will be recorded, students do not have to be present. All recordings will be available to students for 3 months after the final session.
Technique Takeaway: The Power of Neutrals with Winslow Art Center, Purchase this Pre-Recorded Online Presentation/Demo
Price: $40.00 for up to 60 days
Description: Lots of people are worried about mixing mud, but when used well, a range of “muddy colors” not only make your saturated colors sing, but can enhance and enliven a painting. Also, most of the things we see are relatively neutral, so as a representational painter, the more you understand about mixing them, the better you will get at painting what you see with sensitivity. During this Technique Takeaway, artist Ben Hamburger will demonstrate and discuss how he mixes and uses neutral colors in his work to add depth, variety, and mood. Though no feedback on student work will be provided, suggested exercises will be provided to help you mix rich neutral colors. This recorded demo and talk will be available to students for 60 days.
In Person Classes:
Painting Directly: Alla Prima at New Orleans Academy of Fine Art
Dates: 12 Weeks, Sep 13 - Dec 13 (No class on Oct 25 and Nov 22)
Wednesdays, 6:00PM-9:00PM
Price: $648.00
Description: Direct painting (or ‘alla prima’) refers to the process of applying color straight away, without a developed underpainting. As opposed to more traditional layered (or ‘indirect’) painting processes, direct painting asks artists to consider color/value relationships simultaneously and apply confident, opaque marks to describe their subject. There is a spectrum from indirect to direct painting that we will explore in class. Rather than prioritizing smoothly rendered realism, we will appreciate the brushwork and shapes of color that accumulate to depict space, light, and form.
Throughout the course, we will study paint application, process, color perception, color mixing, simplifying subject matter, and more. Short skill-building exercises will be interspersed with longer, more in-depth painting projects. We will begin with various still life exercises and eventually broaden our subject matter to include landscape, portraiture, and/or self-directed projects based on personal interest. Some foundational painting experience is required. Acrylic and/or oil painters are welcome.