Keiko Tanabe: "Painting Impressions with Watercolors" (2027)

Keiko Tanabe makes watercolor look like light itself — loose, luminous, atmospheric. Born in Kyoto and based in San Diego, she blends the spirit of Japanese sumi-e ink with Western watercolor to capture a scene’s mood in a few decisive strokes. Over four immersive days in the Green Mountains, she’ll help you loosen up, simplify, and paint atmosphere rather than detail.

Do you paint everything you see, or do you paint what you feel? In this workshop, you’ll begin to see the world through a new lens—learning how to transform everyday reality into expressive, impressionistic paintings that evoke mood and atmosphere. The focus is not on replicating every detail, but on capturing the essence of your subject.

Keiko will guide you from that first spark of inspiration through a process of simplification, leading to a

compelling painting rich in composition and meaning. We’ll begin with the fundamentals: getting familiar with our materials and learning to observe with an artist’s eye.

What You’ll Explore

• Creating a strong preliminary drawing and composition

• Exploring a range of watercolor techniques and brush handling

• Understanding what makes a strong design

• Mastering the relationship of light and dark values

• Balancing planning with intuition

• Learning how to simplify and edit complex visual information

Each day includes a live demonstration by Keiko, packed with helpful tips and insights. Reference photos will be provided for a studio workshop, and there will be ample opportunity for one-on-one guidance, individual critiques, and daily Q&A sessions.

RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE

All levels (basic knowledge & some previous experiences strongly recommended to benefit from this

workshop)

MATERIAL LIST

ABOUT INSTRUCTOR

Keiko Tanabe, AWS, NWS, AIS, LPAPA, is a Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society, the American Watercolor Society, the American Impressionist Society, and the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, and holds Master Artist status with the San Diego Watercolor Society. Since 2011 she has taught more than 230 workshops and demonstrations around the world, frequently serves as a juror nationally and internationally, and sits on the advisory board of American Watercolor Weekly.

She was born in Kyoto, Japan and is based in San Diego, California. Her path to art began in 2003, fueled by a love of travel and other cultures; after learning the basics at a local school she became largely self-taught and launched her professional career in 2005. Today she is known internationally for a loose, vibrant style of plein-air watercolor that blends traditional Japanese sumi-e ink technique with Western watercolor methods.

Visit Keiko’s website   ·   Instagram @keikotanabewatercolor

Starting Price — All-Inclusive

From $2,410 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 = $850

•      Bringing a companion? Add just $114/night for their lodging, meals and gratuity. 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, May 27) 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 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.