Portrait in Watercolor in Santa Fe
Instructor: Jeannie Vodden
May 4-9, 2027
Workshop Overview
Join renowned watercolor artist Jeannie Vodden in the magical art world of Santa Fe.
Students will enjoy an in-studio experience each day painting a portrait of their choice, or following along as Jeannie demonstrates… and then will explore a wonderful area of Santa Fe each afternoon.
Jeannie’s watercolors are marked by the use of a limited palette of staining transparent primary colors. She works from large gentle washes of color to more specific detail (large to small/general to specific, a technic known as indirect painting). Her use of glazing layer over layer gives a translucent lifelike feeling to any number of subject matters.
In this workshop expect to learn and experience:
- Glazing transparent layers of color
- Working in a limited palette and ideas on picking your own color palette
- Painting translucent portraits including features of the face, hair, clothing folds
- Creative composition, placement of subject matter and background ideas
- Taking photos, posing, composition, lighting, etc…
- Picking out a photo and working from it creatively
- One on one critiques and feedback
Artist Jeannie Vodden
Jeannie Vodden’s unique use of transparent staining watercolor sets her work apart. Her preference for the complex play of form and light is balanced by her use of a very simple palette. Her work is marked by color variety within her limited palette and by subtle delicacy of application. Her interest in luminescence guides her choice of subject matter and quality of light.
For almost 30 years Jeannie has taught workshops throughout California, starting in Sacramento at Graphic Hobby House (later University Art).
Then venturing out of state to Wyoming, Nevada, New Mexico, Georgia and Kansas finding new friends as she went.
Jeannie also taught online classes with French Escapade during the pandemic.
Jeannie enjoys demonstrating her watercolor techniques to art and community organizations and finds the challenge of judging art competitions rewarding and inspiring.
A few of her many awards and activities include:
- In 2020 and 2025 she self-published two fantasy children’s books: The
- Unseen Folk and The Unseen Folk, Book II
- Her painting Wondrous Visions was included in SPLASH 2021, the Best of Watercolor
- In 2020 Jeannie was awarded signature status at the California Watercolor Association.
- “Sunshine” California Watercolor Association’s 48th National Exhibition, 2018 awarded the M. Graham & Co Award.
- Salis International, Inc. Award in the 2016 California Watercolor Association’s 46th National Exhibition
- She has designed wine labels for Young’s Vineyard, for Bella Impavida Wines and for restaurant designer, Pat Kuleto.
Judging includes:
- New Mexico Watercolor Society – 2025 35th Dorothy Indelicato Fine Art
- Show in Manteca – 2025
- Pleasanton Art League – 2024
- Nevada Watercolor Society – 2023
- Amador County High School Art – 2022
- Mother Lode Art Association, Sonora, CA- 2021
- and many more….
Samples of Jeannie Vodden’s Art
Itinerary
Santa Fe is one of America’s most historic, artistic, and fascinating cities.
Known as “The City Different,” the nation’s oldest state capital city is a place unlike in other in the world.
There are scores of art galleries, restaurants, places to shop as well as a dozen museums featuring culture, history and traditions of this region and the world.
Santa Fe feels like a giant art museum, given how much amazing creativity is all around the city.
Day 1 (May 4): Orientation Meeting and Welcome Dinner
5 pm: Meet your fellow travelers, your instructor and your tour leader, at our selected hotel in Santa Fe for our orientation meeting.
We will go over the schedule for the workshop and treat you for a welcome dinner to celebrate the beginning of a week full of laughter, painting and new friendships.
Days 2 to 4: Art classes in the Studio and Visits of Santa Fe
9am-1pm: Painting classes: Each morning, you’ll work with Jeannie in the studio to deepen your skills and bring a personal painting to life with hands-on guidance and feedback.
You will learn:
- Glazing transparent layers of color
- Working in a limited palette and ideas on picking your own color palette
Painting translucent portraits including features of the face, hair, clothing folds - Creative composition, placement of subject matter and background ideas
- Taking photos, posing, composition, lighting, etc…
- Picking out a photo and working from it creatively
- One on one critiques and feedback
1-2:30pm: Free time for lunch
2:30pm: Possibility to keep painting in the studio (no instruction) or go on walking tours with the tour leader to different emblematic sites in downtown Santa Fe.
The visits include:
- The Georgia O’Keeffe’s museum
- Happy hours in a cute hidden garden
- The oldest house in Santa Fe
- Galleries on the emblematic Canyon Road
- The Mission
- Loretto Chapel and Basilica
Colored door striking on adobe buildings
Charming adobe-constructed buildings
San Miguel Mission, oldest church in the US
Wonderful art galleries on Canyon Rd
Colored art everywhere
Indigenous culture of the South West
Included Visit: Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is dedicated to the artistic legacy of Georgia O’Keeffe, her life, American modernism, and public engagement.
You will find O’Keeffe’s early work as a student and teacher, groundbreaking paintings from her time living on the East Coast and her artistic revelations inspired by New Mexico as well as a collection of personal belongings.
We will buy the tickets for all the participants interested and go together for the visit.
Day 5: Show and Share and Farewell Dinner
Studio painting session.
Afternoon:
It is time to finish up some of the paintings started this week. The sketching workshop will end with a little “Show and Share”.
We will then treat you for the farewell dinner before saying goodbye.
Day 6 (May 9): Departure
It is time to say goodbye but hopefully we will meet again. You can leave at your convenience or extend your stay to enjoy this wonderful place. If you live close to Santa Fe, you can leave the night before after the farewell dinner.
Accommodation
(not included in the price of the workshop)
We have selected a very charming hotel located only 2 blocks from the main plaza.
The tour leaders as well as the art instructor will stay there. We recommend that you stay with the group at the hotel so you can access our studio to paint whenever you want.
We have booked some rooms for the group at a discounted price. Once you have registered, you will receive an email with the hotel info and how to book at the group rate. You need to call the hotel directly in order to get the discounted price. The hotel will not charge your card. They offer free cancellation until 5 days prior to the workshop. However, because of the limited number of rooms we were able to secure, please do not book a room if you are unsure you will stay there.
The air-conditioned rooms are designed with Spanish art work and include amenities such as free Wi-FI, bathrobes and refrigerators. Cable TVs, coffee makers and ironing facilities are provided.
They also offer free full breakfast and free parking.
Price varies with the dates and type of rooms: it starts at $199 + tax for a traditional room.
FAQs
How do I get to Santa Fe?
Fly into the Albuquerque International Airport, a 45 minute drive away from Santa Fe:
At the airport you can choose from more than seven car rental agencies.
There is also the Santa Fe Municipal Airport but it only boasts daily direct flights from Denver, Dallas or Phoenix. Once you’ve arrived, you can find two car rental agencies right at the Santa Fe airport.
What hotel is the group staying at?
Is there a discount at the hotel booked for the group?
Are we painting in the studio or outdoor?
How much painting will we do?
How many participants will be in the class?
Is much walking required?
Pricing and Booking
Pricing Details
The maximum number of participants is 15.
Price: $1,690
The hotel is not included.
How to Book
Payments
- A $600 nonrefundable deposit is due at booking ($300 transferable to a future workshop; see cancellation policy below).
- The remaining balance is due 3 months before departure, with flexible payment plans available.
- Pay by credit card (2.9% fee) or ACH/bank transfer (no fee) through our secure system.
Price includes
- A welcome reception
- 2 dinners: one welcome dinner on day 1 and one farewell dinner on day 5
- All art classes (daily demos, one-on-one support and instructions)
- All entrances to sites (Loretto chapel, Georgia O’Keefe’s museum)
- Happy hour one afternoon
- A tour leader throughout the week
- Use of a studio
Price excludes
- Your hotel. We have booked some rooms for the participants interested in staying at the hotel where the teacher and the tour leaders are staying.
Once you have registered, you will get an automatic reply with the the hotel name and how to book at the group rate. - Some meals (the ones not listed as included)
- Painting supplies
- Tour leader tips
Cancellation Policy
| If you cancel: | Cancellation Fee per Person |
|---|---|
| more than 90 days before departure | $300 can be transferred to another trip with a departure date within 2 years of cancellation date |
| 61-90 days before departure | 50% of total cost forfeited |
| 31-60 days before departure | 75% of total cost forfeited |
| 0-30 days before departure | 100% of total cost forfeited |
| If French Escapade cancels | you get a full refund |