Artist Nathan Loda will teach an Introduction to Oil Painting Workshop at Sugar Maples this June.

Want to learn oil painting as a beginner?

Join the Introduction to Oil Painting workshop with Nathan Loda at the Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts in the Catskills. Over three immersive days, you’ll gain hands-on experience with essential oil painting techniques, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery that inspired the Hudson River School. Perfect for beginners and those looking to build foundational skills, this class offers instruction, inspiration, and creative exploration.

Why choose oil painting as a beginner?

Art is more than a pastime—it is a powerful means of expression, a way to interpret the world, and a source of deep personal fulfillment. For centuries, oil painting has been one of the most revered artistic mediums, offering rich colors, incredible depth, and infinite creative possibilities.

If you’ve ever wanted to dive into oil painting but felt unsure about where to start, the Catskill Mountain Foundation’s visual arts programming at the Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts offers a unique opportunity to do just that. Nestled in the breathtaking Catskills, where iconic painters of the Hudson River School created many of their masterpieces, the three-day workshop, “Introduction to Oil Painting” with Nathan Loda, welcomes those eager to learn.

What will you learn in this oil painting class?

This course provides students with essential oil painting techniques, historical perspective, and artistic inspiration drawn directly from the surrounding landscapes. More than just a technical introduction, it invites participants to become part of a rich tradition of painting that celebrates both nature and creativity.

“Artist Rock,” oil painting by Nathan Loda

Why oil painting? A versatile and forgiving medium

Few artistic mediums offer the versatility, depth, and luminous beauty of oil painting. The technique dates back centuries, embraced by the Old Masters for its ability to layer color, create movement, and depict light in a way that feels almost other worldly.

While beginners may feel intimidated by the process, oil painting is one of the most forgiving mediums—it allows for corrections, alterations, and experimentation, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced painters. In Nathan Loda’s workshop, students will develop foundational techniques, including:

• Understanding paint consistency and application methods

• Mixing colors to achieve vibrant, naturalistic tones

• Exploring composition and perspective

• Learning direct and indirect painting methods

• Creating depth through glazing and layering techniques

In just three days of this oil painting class, students will gain confidence in their artistic ability, learning how to translate inspiration into finished works.

“View of the Catskills, Early Autumn,” by Thomas Cole

What is the Hudson River School, and why does it matter?

Art is deeply intertwined with history, and few movements encapsulate the spirit of a place like the Hudson River School. As the first American artistic movement to gain widespread recognition, the Hudson River painters captured the grandeur of the natural world, celebrating the American landscape as a source of identity and inspiration.

Painting in the footsteps of the masters

During the mid-19th century, artists like Thomas Cole, Asher B. Durand, and Frederic Edwin Church saw landscapes as more than mere scenery. Their paintings conveyed spiritual reflection, national pride, and a response to changing environmental conditions. At a time when industrialization was reshaping America, the Hudson River School painters offered an alternative vision—one that emphasized tranquility, untouched wilderness, and the majesty of nature.

Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts at Catskill Mountain Foundation is located within the very landscapes these painters immortalized. When participants step into the workshop, they are walking in the footsteps of artistic giants, taking in the same rolling hills, expansive skies, and pristine waterways that shaped the movement.

In times of uncertainty and change, creative activities become even more essential. Art provides a means of understanding the world, expressing emotions, and connecting with others, especially when the world feels unpredictable.

Painting as reflection and conservation

The challenges we face today—from climate change to shifting political landscapes—underscore the importance of creative reflection. Painting landscapes not only helps individuals appreciate and advocate for environmental conservation, but it also serves as a meditative practice, an exploration of identity, and a form of cultural storytelling.

Oil painting offers a unique way to respond to change. Through observation and brushwork, painters develop a deep connection with the world around them, translating emotion and reflection into visual narratives. Whether capturing the golden hues of the Catskills at sunset or the lush forests that inspired centuries of artists, painting allows us to make sense of shifting realities.

Experience the Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts

The Catskill Mountain Foundation has long been a champion of cultural and community enrichment through the arts. Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts, as part of this mission, provides world-class programming in the visual arts, creating a hub for artistic exploration.

Artists have always been drawn to the Catskills for its natural beauty, and today, it remains a place where creativity flourishes. At Sugar Maples, students experience both technical instruction and creative freedom, surrounded by landscapes that inspire reflection and imagination.

When you join the Introduction to Oil Painting workshop, you become part of this artistic legacy. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced painter refining your craft, you’ll find an environment designed for artistic growth, connection, and discovery.

Art is best learned through hands-on experience, and this summer, you can start your journey in oil painting with expert instruction. Whether you’re drawn to landscapes, portraits, or abstract expression, the skills you develop in this workshop will serve as a foundation for a lifetime of artistic growth. The Hudson River School painters proved that art has the power to shape perspectives, capture fleeting moments, and preserve the beauty of the natural environment. This summer, you have the opportunity to engage with this tradition, painting in the very region that once inspired America’s greatest landscape painters.

Start your creative journey today: Introduction to Oil Painting with Nathan Loda

📅 June 20–22 | $300 + $60 lab fee 🔗 Register Here

This workshop is more than a class—it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in art, history, and creative exploration. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn, create, and connect in the heart of a landscape that has inspired generations of artists.

Take this step in your creative journey. Register today and start painting your own story.

Want to explore more creative workshops?

If you’re inspired to keep learning, don’t stop here—discover other upcoming workshops at the Catskill Mountain Foundation. From ceramics to drawing, there’s something for every creative path.