George Van Hook: “Winter Still Life & Portraits (All Mediums)” 2027

Spend four winter days in a warm, sunlit studio learning to see light the way George Van Hook does—on the turn of a face, in the folds of a still life, in the quiet of a Vermont March.

Focus is split in this workshop between still-life and portraiture. Refine your skills, regardless of medium, with a master this winter. For portrait painting, work from a posed model or from your own photographs. All levels welcome.

George Van Hook’s paintings have been exhibited for over 40 years throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. Van Hook’s painterly style follows in the tradition of the impressionists. Inspired by a love of nature fostered by long hours painting “en plein air,” Van Hook paints with gusto and passion, bringing a freshness and immediacy to the rural scenes where he lives in upstate New York. His fly-fishing paintings painted on location on well-known trout streams are sought after in this country.

George, a nationally recognized artist who has won numerous Plein Air competitions and awards for his oils and watercolors. George stresses alla prima painting using a loose and fast approach to capture the landscape in the first try. 

Van Hook is also a noted figurative artist who paints people engaged in an outdoor activity or thoughtfully posed in a sunlit interior. George has updated that theme with depictions of young women in garden settings who seem lost in thought or amused by children at play; or outfitted men casting their lines in a trout stream.  His paintings display the Impressionist interest in color, light, and rich paint, yet the figures and settings are decidedly contemporary.”

Workshop includes live demos and individual attention. Please bring your own equipment, supports, and media (oil, pastel, watercolor, acrylic).

Meet George Van Hook

George Van Hook was born near Philadelphia and grew up amid two great American painting traditions — the Pennsylvania Impressionists of Bucks County and the Brandywine world of Howard Pyle and the Wyeths. After college he spent nearly a year in Paris copying the masters at the Louvre and painting en plein air across France, Italy, and Holland. Today he works from Cambridge, New York, in the Hudson Valley, painting landscape, figure, and still life with the gusto and passion of the Impressionist tradition. “I want the color to be beautiful and the drawing firm and secure,” he says.

Van Hook’s paintings have been exhibited for over 40 years across the United States, Europe, and Japan. A multiple Best-of-Show winner on the national plein air circuit, he has served as a competition juror, taught as a live instructor at the Plein Air National Convention, and released the 90-minute instructional film “How to Paint Impressionism Outdoors.”

Visit George’s website   ·   @georgevanhook

Starting Price — All-Inclusive

Workshop Tuition: $650

All Inclusive with Tuition, Room, and meals: From $2,210 per person

Single occupancy · all-inclusive · 5 nights · best prepaid rate

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

•      Workshop fee = $650

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

•      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.

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 drawing session

•      Lunch (communal) 12:30 PM

•      Afternoon drawing 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.