Craig Pursley: “Painting in the Style of Sargent” 2027

If you’ve ever wished you could paint with the elegance, confidence, and luminous touch of John Singer Sargent, you’re not alone. For generations, artists have looked to Sargent as the pinnacle of expressive realism — and thousands today still dream of capturing even a fraction of his magic.

In this workshop, Craig will guide you into Sargent’s world with clarity, passion, and a lineage that traces directly back to the master himself. When you join this course, you’re not just learning techniques — you’re stepping into a chain of mentorship that connects you to Sargent through the artists who carried his knowledge forward. You’ll begin with master copies of Sargent’s work, absorbing his values, palette, and unmistakable looseness of brush. From there, you’ll move into creating your own pieces using the very principles that shaped his genius. Every stroke, every decision, every moment at the easel will bring you closer to understanding how Sargent thought, saw, and painted.

And as a special gift, one participant will receive an exact replica of Sargent’s personal palette, offered through the Portrait Society of America — a $250 treasure that embodies the spirit of the master.

If you’ve ever felt the pull to paint more boldly, more beautifully, more truthfully… this is your invitation.

Above: Craig’s copies of Sargent’s work

Starting Price — All-Inclusive

Workshop Tuition: $700

All Inclusive with Tuition, Room, Meals: From $2,260 per person

Single occupancy · all-inclusive · 4 nights · best prepaid rate

•      Includes workshop instruction, lodging at The Landgrove Inn, three meals daily, welcome reception, and gratuity (taxes additional)

•      5 nights lodging + full board at $312/night (single, prepaid) = $1,560

•      Workshop fee = $700

•      Bringing a companion? Add just $114/night for their lodging, meals and gratuity — see the FAQ. Also taking the workshop? Just add another workshop fee.

Prefer to spend a little less time away? You can check out on the final workshop day for 4 nights instead of 5 — subtract $312/night (single occupancy). See the FAQ.

Meet the Artist

Craig Pursley is an award-winning painter, former forensic composite artist, and longtime illustrator whose career spans more than five decades. Craig has spent a lifetime dedicated to art, beginning with an eight-foot-by-24-foot mural he painted as a teenager that still hangs in his hometown high school in Lexington, Nebraska. Fascinated by hyperrealism, he developed exceptional drawing skills that led to work as a forensic composite artist for the Fort Collins Police Department. Over seven years, he created composite sketches for 11 additional law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, assisting in investigations ranging from armed robbery to homicide.

In the early 1980s, Pursley transitioned from drawing to painting, earning national recognition when his photorealistic painting of a 1957 Chevrolet won Best of Show in a national competition. In 1983, he joined the Orange County Register as an illustrator, where he spent 23 years producing artwork for every section of the newspaper. During that time, he created the popular Dreamscapes series, the newspaper's most successful reader-participation feature, and completed numerous major commissions, including portraits for the Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame, an eight-foot mural of Ronald Reagan that now resides at the Reagan Presidential Library, and a portrait of Hank Aaron that is part of the collection at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Since moving to Bath, New Hampshire, in 2002, Pursley and his wife have operated the American Heritage Gallery of Art, where he paints daily and has created well over a thousand works. He has painted nearly 400 portraits of local residents and has completed two official portraits that hang in the New Hampshire State House. His biennial one-man exhibitions celebrating local people have become a regional tradition.

Today, working from both his historic gallery and home studio in the White Mountains, Craig Pursley continues to paint, teach, and share his lifelong passion for creating art that captures both likeness and character.

Visit Craig's Website • Follow Craig on Instagram

What’s Included

A simple “show up and paint” package — full room and board, with everything handled:

•      Four days of instruction and programming

•      Lodging at The Landgrove

•      Three meals per day, including 3-course dinners

•      Welcome reception on the first night

•      Gratuity included (taxes additional)

All meals are shared together as a group — a big part of the Landgrove experience and what makes these retreats feel like a true creative community.

A Day at Landgrove

Arrival day

•      Check-in from 3 PM

•      Welcome reception (wine/beer + hors d’oeuvres) 5–6 PM

•      Introductory 3-course dinner 6–8 PM

Workshop days

•      Breakfast (communal) 8–9 AM

•      Morning painting session

•      Lunch (communal) 12:30 PM

•      Afternoon painting session

•      3-course dinner (communal) 6–8 PM

Departure day

•      Breakfast 8–9 AM

•      Check-out by 11 AM

The Landgrove Setting

You’ll stay in a peaceful historic inn surrounded by the Green Mountain National Forest — an inspiring setting that helps you slow down and settle into deep creative work. When you want to explore beyond the studio, you’re close to classic Vermont: Manchester (Southern Vermont Arts Center, Northshire Bookstore), Weston (Weston Theater Company, the Vermont Country Store), plus scenic drives and mountain towns nearby.

Mini-FAQ

Can I check out earlier?

Yes. The package runs through the morning after the final workshop day, but you’re welcome to check out one day earlier—on the final workshop day, and thereby subtract $312 for the last night. Check-out of your room is by 9 AM if doing so, before the morning workshop session. When inputting your dates to book, just change your check-out date to one day earlier.

Can my partner or a friend come along?

Absolutely — companions are welcome and very much part of the experience. The second guest in your room is booked as a companion, with lodging, all meals and gratuity included, for $114/night more than going solo. Many spouses and friends join just for the stay — exploring the forest, nearby towns, the pool, or a book by the tavern fire — while still sharing every meal.

Can my partner or friend also take the workshop?

If your companion also wants to paint, add “Additional Workshop Registration” at checkout, or contact us.

What about dietary needs?

Add any dietary requirements in the Special Requests field at checkout and we’ll prepare accordingly. All meals are shared together as a group.

How do I get there?

The nearest airports are Albany, Hartford, Boston, and Rutland VT. Train stations are in Albany NY and Brattleboro VT (recommend Albany if travelling from NYC). For transit from an airport or train station we recommend Mountain Drivers (802.772.5223, mtndrivers.com).

What should I bring?

The supply list is included will be provided ahead of the workshop and covers everything you’ll need to bring. Tables and studio space are provided.

How many students?

Workshops are intentionally small — this one is capped at 15 — for real personal attention and a close-knit group.

Can Vermont locals attend without staying at the inn?

If you're a local and would want to commute to the workshop daily, we will take bookings for up to two workshop participants until 60 days before the workshop (within 60 days we open all available workshop spots for locals). The cost for local attendees is the workshop fee, plus one of the following meal plan options (including gratuity):

• Workshop Lunches ($27.50/day)

• Workshop Lunches & 3-Course Dinners ($81.00/day)

Ready to Book?

Book This Workshop, use the booking widget on this page, or give us a ring at 802.824.6674.