Rick Shiers: “Watercolor & Ink Illustration” 2027

For more than thirty years, Rick Shiers has made ink-and-watercolor illustrations for the advertising and design world, alongside book art and still-life painting. Over four days in the Green Mountains, he’ll share the loose, confident line-and-wash approach behind a career of storytelling in watercolor.

Meet Rick Shiers

Rick Shiers — known professionally as “Scrappy Dog” — has created presentation and finished illustrations for the advertising and design community for over thirty years, working from his studio in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

His ink-and-watercolor illustrations have appeared in settings from the Paul Stuart Manhattan store to book covers and interiors for young and adult readers, and he also paints landscapes and still lifes in oil. He brings decades of commercial and fine-art experience to his teaching.

Visit Rick’s website   ·   Instagram @rickshiers

Starting Price — All-Inclusive

From $2,310 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 = $750

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.

What’s Included

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

•      Four days of instruction and programming with Rick Shiers

•      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.

Note: Not everyone attending needs to register for the workshop. Many spouses and friends join for the stay without painting. They often explore the national forest, visit nearby towns, ski local mountains, relax by the pool, or enjoy a book by the fire in the tavern—while still being part of the shared meals and community experience.

The Landgrove Workshop Experience

Workshops at The Landgrove are intentionally small and intimate, with a focus on:

• meaningful learning and personal attention

• relationship building with other artists

• a warm, welcoming creative environment

You’ll stay in a peaceful historic inn surrounded by Green Mountain National Forest — an inspiring setting that helps you slow down and settle into deep creative work.

And when you want to explore beyond the studio, we’re close to classic Vermont destinations like:

• Manchester (Southern Vermont Arts Center, Northshire Bookstore)

• Weston (Weston Theater Company, Vermont Country Store)

• Plus scenic drives, local shops, and mountain towns nearby

Workshop Agenda (Sample Schedule)

Arrival — Sun, Aug 8

•      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 9–12

•      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 13

•      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.

How to Book

Please read these notes before booking so your stay and workshop registration are counted correctly.

1) Choose Your Dates

When selecting your workshop the dates will auto-populate for arrival and departure.

• Check-in (arrival) date is fixed.

• Check-out (departure) date defaults to the final full workshop day (ending around 5 PM). Check-out time is 11am if departing on the final workshop day.

• Check-out may be extended an additional night, to include the final 3-course dinner, plus one more overnight and breakfast the next morning. Most participants extend with the additional night.

Note: The workshop fee is prorated across the number of nights you book, so it appears as part of your nightly total.

2) Occupancy (how many people in the room?)

The booking system defaults to single occupancy, which includes:

✅ Lodging + full meal package + gratuity for one person

✅ One workshop registration included

Two guests may share the same room during the workshop. A booking for two guests includes:

✅ Lodging + full meal package + gratuity for two people

✅ One workshop registration included

If the second guest is also taking the workshop, add “Additional Workshop Registration” at checkout.

3) Dietary Needs / Special Requests

During checkout, please add any dietary requirements in the Special Requests field so we can prepare appropriately. You may double-confirm any special requests by emailing us: info@thelandgrove.com 

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 12 — 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 join in, 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, and Rutland. For transportation we recommend Mountain Drivers (802.772.5223, mtndrivers.com).

What should I bring?

Rick’s supply list will be provided ahead of the workshop and covers everything you’ll need to bring. Easels, 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.89i655487

Local Vermonter Option

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 and a $50 program fee, plus one of the following meal plan options (including 20% gratuity):

• Workshop Lunch ($27.50/day)

• Workshop Lunch & 3-Course Dinner ($81.00/day)

Ready to Book?

Use the widget on screen to book, or book from the following link: Book This Workshop