Kami Mendlik: “Color & Light — Landscape in Oil” 2027

"My plein air pieces are studies of color and light in the landscape - they are an observation and a record of my experience in that moment and intersection of time. Often, I use those studies in the studio as inspiration and information to create a larger studio piece."

Kami Mendlik grew up painting the rivers, fields and roses of her family’s Minnesota farm — and color has been her obsession ever since. A classically trained landscape painter and author of “Color Relativity,” she founded the St. Croix River School of Painting. Over four days in the Green Mountains, she’ll teach you to see and mix color with new clarity.

Focus: Using a plein air painting as information and inspiration in the studio.

From the Artist

In this workshop, we will begin the first morning with students watching me paint ‘en plein air’ as I demonstrate how I capture the essential elements of color, light, and shapes, while I work from life. We will then move into the studio, and I’ll be using that plein air study to demonstrate how I use the piece along with a photo reference of the scene to paint a larger studio piece

Preparation for class:

You will need both a plein air painting that you painted along with its photo reference of the scene to go along with it. This is recommended but I realize not everyone will feel confident with your plein air work to do so. I suggest trying. However, if you do not have what you consider a strong plein air piece, I will supply photo references for you to paint from. You will benefit from learning this method to create strong studio landscapes either way.

What to expect in class:

You will learn Kami’s method of graphing her photo reference and transferring that onto a larger studio canvas and learn how to use your plein air study as inspiration and color information in the studio. The reason this is so important is that photos simply do not capture accurate color resources necessary to create a strong authentic studio piece. One of the problems many painters have though, is not feeling confident or possibly understanding what is important to capture when we are out in the field. So often painters are just focusing on making a ‘good’ painting and not focusing on color averages and shapes. You will spend the week on learning my steps to achieving success on your studio landscape canvas and will leave with one larger painting. I suggest sizes between 12x16, 14x18, or 16x20. You decide your comfort level.

Prerequisite to participate in class:

I now hold a prerequisite to study with me in person. The reason is so that you come prepared and it elevates all who participate. The more prepared you arrive, the more you will get out of our time together. And my goal is to help you with your painting dreams and goals and not waste time! We can do this!

• Study and read “Color Relativity: Creating the Illusion of Light with Paint”. https://www.colorrelativity.com

• “Fundamentals with Kami Mendlik: An online, self-paced course studying the essential elements of painting the color relativity method”: https://www.colorrelativity.com/fundamentals-signup (Strongly encouraged but not required to be fully prepared for this class)

  
  

Meet Your Artist

Kami Mendlik is an impressionist painter, instructor, and author known for her use of color in her landscape and plein air oil paintings.  Her work focuses on abstracting from the natural world and capturing the relativity of color to create the illusion of light in her paintings.

In 2008, she founded the St Croix River School of Painting in Stillwater MN where she teaches the fundamentals of representational painting with a special emphasis on color.  In January of 2014 she purchased a 16-acre farm just North of Stillwater Minnesota, where she converted a 100-year-old hip roof barn into her studio and the St Croix River School of Painting's new location.  Surrounded by inspired wetlands, the property has become a great source of inspiration for her work. 

Kami is the recipient of the Dorothy Driehaus Mellin Fellowship and awarded the 2022 Bronze Medal at the Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition.  She is the author of "Color Relativity:  Creating the Illusion of Light with Paint", Creator of Planal Fruit® - a unique physical teaching tool used by artists to study light, shadow, and color changes on dimensional forms, Signature Member OPA - Oil Painters of America, Signature Member of AIS - American Impressionist Society,  Signature Member of ASMA – American Society of Marine Artists, Signature Member of AWA - American Woman Artists, and an active Member of OPM - Outdoor Painters of Minnesota.

Visit Kami’s website   ·   Instagram @kamimendlik

Starting Price — All-Inclusive

From $2,360 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 = $800

•      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 (Thursday, August 19) 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 with Kami Mendlik

•      Lodging at The Landgrove (Sun–Fri, 5 nights)

•      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 — Sun, Aug 15

•      Check-in from 3 PM

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

•      Introductory 3-course dinner 6–8 PM

Workshop days — Mon–Thu, Aug 16–19

•      Breakfast (communal) 8–9 AM

•      Morning painting session

•      Lunch (communal) 12:30 PM

•      Afternoon painting session

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

Departure — Fri, Aug 20

•      Breakfast 8–9 AM

•      Check-out by 11 AM

Exact timing may shift slightly based on demonstrations, group needs, and the instructor’s teaching style.

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 Friday morning, but you’re welcome to check out one day earlier — on the final workshop day, Thursday, August 19 — for 4 nights instead of 5 (and thereby subtract $312 for the last night). Check-out of your room is by 9 AM, 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.