Jan Guarino: “Fearless Watercolors — Land, Sea & Still Life” 2027

I was once you.

So I built the class I never got.

I was you — seeking and searching for teachers, classes, workshops, books, anyone, anywhere to help me find myself in this incredible medium. Sometimes I was elated by what happened in a class, but mostly it led to disappointment. There were always pearls worth holding onto.

It was from that very frustration that I created my own classes — based on what I needed as a student and didn't get. I took the very best of those opportunities and built workshops with an array of techniques for more successes when painting in watercolor. You may not know me, but I know you. As a student, I understand what you wish to get from a workshop. As a teacher, I know how to deliver it.

Join me for an amazing three-day workshop, filled with the best of the best — tangible, and meant to be adapted to your own work. A culmination of everything that actually works.

These are the techniques I've discovered and practice in every class and workshop. You'll receive my reference photo and contour drawing in advance — so we spend our days painting, not setting up. We will work with why your paintings turn muddy and how to avoid it, 2 magic ingredients of watercolor, developing your impact area, correction techniques, color theory and color temperature, soft and hard edges, composition made simple and MUCH MORE.

The very best techniques, drawn from a lifetime of teaching. Tangible, and built to enhance your own work. Four days in the Vermont in the Fall, learning to paint in watercolors without fear.

Starting Price — All-Inclusive

Workshop Tuition: $700

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

•      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.

Material List

https://www.janguarinofineart.com/page/23567/supply-list-free-templates

Meet the Artist

Jan Guarino spent a forty-five-year career as an award-winning graphic designer — her firm, Guarino Graphics, built the brands of hundreds of Long Island companies — before evolving into a full-time watercolor artist and teacher based in East Northport, New York.

She captures the essence of diverse subjects — flowers, landscapes, still-life vignettes, and portraits of people and pets — in a loose, expressive style she calls “Fearless Watercolors,” and shares her approach in classes and workshops while exhibiting in galleries.

Visit Jan’s website   ·   Instagram @janguarino

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.