REGISTRATIONS OPEN FEB. 21, 2026!
MIKE KOWALSKI 2-DAY WORKSHOP
APR. 22-23, 2026 (online)
WORKSHOP HOURS: 9:00 – 4:00 (Pacific time)

NOTICE TO WA STATE RESIDENTS: Effective Oct. 1, 2025, NWWS is obligated to charge WA state residents sales tax on our workshops. This does NOT apply to anyone residing outside of WA state.

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PAINTING IN THE SHADOWS
When we think of watercolor, we often think of “light”. Capturing warm light with transparent washes of color seems made for watercolor; however, you can’t really have light without shadow. Shadows can be an incidental part of a picture, like a slim line coming from a lamp post, or they can make up a crucial part of a painting. We don’t often think of featuring those kinds of darks in a watercolor painting, and Mike Kowalski’s workshop is designed to make the shadow areas rich, interesting, and complex.

You will study how shadows can add an essential punch to paintings. Whether used as a compositional element, design, color variation, or as a means to set a painting’s mood, this workshop will help guide you in the important aspects of painting shadows and shadowed areas.

Mike’s early art inspirations come from literature, in essence the pictures in the books that were read to him or by him. The chapters of those books were often illustrated by renowned artists like N.C. Wyeth. Wyeth was a master at using shadows to create drama in his compositions. A favorite Sargent painting of Mike’s features soft painting effects of figures in shadow. Hopper used shadows to a significant impact as well, breaking up the picture with interesting shapes.

He especially likes shadows for the opportunities they provide for soft-edged detail. The lack of light keeps the contrast between light and dark much more subtle and fun to paint! Mixing shadow colors can be exhilarating, especially when painting outdoors.

This workshop will feature several ways for effective shadow painting. Attendees will sketch based on reference material and prepare a value study. The value study can be invaluable in providing a mental “road map” for the actual painting. Color mixing will also be covered. Students will focus on enhancing shadows with subtle changes in color and color temperature to add depth and pop to the painting, avoiding dull shadows.

Landscape will be the chosen subject matter and it will likely include a figurative element. A simple still life as warm-up will help students understand basic approaches to shadow painting.

Michael looks forward to what will be an exciting workshop!