“I’ve developed this class in response to a need voiced by many of the intermediate and advanced students in my workshops. It’s a different kind of painting workshop, one designed to help these students to learn not just new techniques or design concepts, but also to find a personally satisfying direction to their painting.

Each of the three days will begin with a slide show, demonstration or lecture in which I discuss and explain techniques and concepts of design and expression. I show examples of a variety of past and present artists and explain how they use color and design to reinforce their expressive intent.

I then help each individual student to apply some of these ideas to their own work. I conduct critiques of work produced during the class. I identify strengths and weaknesses and suggest a personal direction for each student. Students can apply these lessons in oil or pastel, or using any water media (acrylics, watercolor, gouache, etc.) In short, the class is not about how I paint, but rather about helping each student identify how she or he wants to paint.”

Christopher Schink's paints in a wide range of sizes from full-sheet (22" x 30") to canvases 60" x 72."

Cafe Series - "Waiter in the background" by Christopher Schink, Acrylic on canvas, 48" x 60"

String Section by Christopher Schink, w/c and acrylic


Christopher Schink ( HYPERLINK "http://www.christopherschink.com/") is an internationally known painter, author and instructor. He holds a B.A. degree in Fine Arts from Stanford University and has studied privately with Rex Brandt, Edward Betts, and Barse Miller. Schink is an elected member of the National Watercolor Society and an Honorary Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.

Schink's paintings have been included in numerous national and international exhibitions including Watercolor USA, The National Watercolor Society Annuals, and Watercolor West. He has exhibited at one- and two-man shows at The Asheville, NC Museum, The Columbia, SC Museum, and The Jackson, MS Municipal Art Gallery. His paintings are in many private and corporate collections.

Mr. Schink has conducted workshops in 45 states in the U.S. as well as classes in Canada, Mexico, Australia, and Europe. He has served as juror for over 40 state, regional, national, and international exhibitions.

Schink is the author of several popular books and the co-editor of the quarterly publication The Palette Magazine ( HYPERLINK "http://thepalettemagazine.com/" .) His work has been featured in many books and magazines including The American Artist, The Artists' Magazine, and International Artist.

With his colleagues Skip Lawrence, Katherine Chang Liu, Alex Powers, Fran Larsen, Topher teaches the Intensive Studies Workshop in Taos New Mexico, each spring.

"Topher" is the designer and editor of The Palette Magazine, and author of Color and Light for the Watercolor Painter and Mastering Color and Design in Watercolor.
Schink has been featured in numerous magazine articles including American Artist Magazine, The Artist’s Magazine, and International Artist and has contributed instructional articles to these and other publications. He is also a popular juror, who has judged more than 35 national, regional, and state exhibitions.