Teaching
Abbey teaches painting workshops and offers Private Painting Mentoring (online private instruction). If you’re interested, you can read testimonials below (for workshops) and here (for Private Painting Mentoring).
Teaching Philosophy
To learn about Abbey’s teaching philosophy and see her teaching in action, watch this short video:
Private Painting Mentoring
Interested in one-on-one instruction in the comfort of your own studio/home?
Learn about Private Painting Mentoring online and read testimonials.
Workshops
Abbey Ryan painting workshops
Workshop description:
The Poetics of Painting with Abbey Ryan
Gain Mentoring and Valuable Insight from Oprah-favorite artist, Abbey Ryan
“Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.” – Plutarch
Painting is about paying attention and capturing a moment. Paying attention in a contemplative way allows you to have a fulfilling relationship with your painting subjects. As painters, we get excited about the exchange of energy manifested through gesture, movement, weight, edges, texture, and color harmony.
Spending time pushing paint around is a lifelong journey. In this workshop, we will explore the poetics and magic of painting. How can a painting be simultaneously meditative and thrilling? The hope is that finding your place in this inquiry can motivate you to paint often and deepen your purpose on your artistic path.
Drawing on her acclaimed career as a painter and teacher, Abbey begins by discussing topics such as selecting painting subjects, concepts and content in still life painting, poetic realism, and her strategies to begin and finish a painting in one sitting. Abbey also shares her thoughts on beauty, gesture, the Old Master’s concept of light as a subject, alla prima painting, celebrating the sensitivities of a brush, and the role of still life painting today.
Through demonstrations and one-on-one instruction, Abbey reveals all of the techniques and methods that have made her daily painting practice so successful and prolific. While working in the studio together, Abbey will address subtleties of color mixing, lighting, materials, blogging, galleries, social media, marketing, and more.
Abbey provides specific, actionable methods and inspiring tips tailored to you to help you move forward on your painting journey.
For all levels, beginner through advanced.
Past Workshop Venues
Sedona Arts Center, AZ
Peto Museum, NJ
Falmouth Arts Center, MA
Academy of Realist Art, Boston
Artists of Yardley, PA
Abbey Ryan painting workshops
Workshop Praise
“Abbey is an excellent instructor. She is more than a 10.”
-EP, Yardley, PA
“Abbey’s self effacing demeanor combined with her passion for painting makes her endearing indeed. I have resisted joining Facebook for reasons too long to list here but Abbey’s offer to be part of her private Painters Collective group might actually make me change my mind! I will definitely consider joining and will continue to follow her on both eBay and her blog. I have always been her fan but now that I know what a lovely person she is, I have an even greater appreciation for her work… so much of her personality is in each painting. Her demos were invaluable. The students at her college are blessed to have her; Abbey is a natural in any classroom or studio. I am just sorry that I will not be able to participate in her AOY workshop in September, I am already committed that weekend. I am starting to formulate a way to incorporate her teaching and painting method into my smaller studio classes next year.”
-CO, Morristown, NJ
“Abbey is so generous with her knowledge and feedback. I have to say my favorite part was the look on her face when she saw my asparagus and garlic painting! I appreciate that Abbey created a quiet energy that allowed us to absorb everything you were showing and telling us. Her demos are so valuable to watch as they come alive right before our eyes… seriously I could see that happening in the first five strokes!”
-RB, Shady Side, MD
Abbey Ryan, Sedona Arts Center Workshop, 2013
“We enjoyed the workshop immensely. What a great spot, and Abbey is a wonderful teacher.”
-TM and JM, Lutherville, MD
“She was outstanding. It was wonderful and I would like to take another Abbey Ryan workshop again!” Q: Would you take another workshop from this instructor? A: “The sooner the better, should I send you my deposit?”
-NA, Yardley, PA
“Abbey’s workshop was beyond what I expected and have experienced with other workshops. She was not only thoroughly prepared and a consummate professional, but Abbey really seemed to enjoy the teaching aspect of the workshop which really came through in her demo.”
-CO, Morristown, NJ
“I loved our time together. Really learned a lot and looking forward in applying it to my work. Kinda missing it, too.”
-PW, Tucson, AZ
“The workshop lived up to your expectations and more. I enjoyed watching her paint and also enjoyed her lecture on how to market yourself and get to know who your audience is.”
-DM, Yardley, PA
Abbey Ryan painting workshops
“My painting process has improved; I have less inhibition about starting a piece. Now my work is less muddied and has a more direct feel. My favorite part was one-on-one time. I felt Abbey was completely present and committed to helping me become a better painter. Her suggestions were concrete and actionable. I appreciated her constructive criticism and at the same time felt supported and taken “seriously” at my level. I feel Abbey helped me get through a long plateau in my work, and see forward to the next level.”
-RP, Peto Museum, NJ
“Abbey is a great teacher and a good person to boot! I really enjoyed her philosophy of art and feel I learned enormously from her. I am happy with my paintings and my progress.”
-CK, Scottsdale, AZ
Abbey Ryan, John F. Peto Museum workshop
“Abbey is a terrific teacher. Her students are lucky.”
-PD, Sedona, AZ
“Loved the workshop. Thank you for your time and sharing with everyone your talents. I ended coming home and wanting to finish what I started.”
-CK, Sykesville, MD
“Abbey is a great inspiration to me and I aspire to paint more often as she does. Resistance is my biggest issue and laziness, time to get my act together! I hope to run into Abbey in the near future. Thanks for a great workshop, Abbey is a very patient and informative speaker and teacher.”
-DM, Yardley, PA
“Thank you for the opportunity to work with an outstanding artist. I appreciate the small class size, so that we all had time with Abbey for critiques and feedback.”
-DW, Medford, NJ
“Thank you for a great workshop! It was very enjoyable despite my struggles with oils. I appreciate her willingness to answer questions and share techniques and knowledge with me. It was a great treat to watch her demo from start to finish.”
-MC, Langhorne, PA
Abbey Ryan painting workshops
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