Tom Blazier: Painting the Big Sky
New Mexico is known for its spectacular skies, and Tom is a master at painting these. This workshop is well timed in advance of the summer monsoon season which inspires all of us. The sky, whether serving in a supportive role or as the main subject of a painting, is of utmost importance. Master landscape painter John Constable observed that, “the sky is the chief organ of sentiment in painting.” And Thomas Cole said, “the sky is the soul of all scenery.”
Whatever your expressive goal is, understanding how the sky influences the subject will be one of your first decisions. This oil or acrylic painting workshop will explore ways of creating beauty through light, drama, color and luminosity. Attention will be given to the relationship between sky and ground and ways to strengthen compositions through effective placement of cloud shapes. We will use direct and indirect approaches and employ impressionistic techniques to create a sense of atmosphere in the landscape. The class will include explanation, demonstrations, and painting time with individual instruction.
While principles presented in the workshop apply to any medium, it is strongly advised that students use oil or acrylic in class. This workshop is for intermediate and advanced levels and for those who have experience working with oils or acrylics. Advanced students and students who have received prior cloud and sky instruction from Tom may work on independent sky-themed projects and personal expression while attending the workshop (contact Tom in advance for suggestions about this option).
March 31: The focus will be basic principles and how to create a sense of atmosphere and light
April 1: The focus will be designing clouds, and composing remarkable cloud shapes in the sky that can enforce, echo, or create the theme
April 2: The focus will be connecting the sky to the ground and making it work as a well composed and unified whole
Free demonstration, open to the public on Wednesday April 1, 2026
Materials List - Blazier Workshop 2026
Workshop Fees and Registration
RGAA Members: $285 | Non-members: $320
Registration will be available in November 1, 2025
Cancellation Policy
Full refund will be given if cancellation notice is received by February 27, 2026 at 6 pm and workshop registration is full; a $50 administrative fee will be retained if the cancelled space cannot be filled. No refund will be given if cancellation notice is received on or after February 27, 2026; extenuating circumstances considered. Please contact Sally Harris, Workshop Coordinator, at workshopchair@rgaanm.org for questions or to be added to the wait list if workshop registration is full.
WORKSHOP CONTACT: workshopchair@rgaanm.org