REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 29
A Weekend to Unfold the Next Chapter in Your Artistic Life
Welcome to How Not to be Afraid of Painting in Oils in instructor Laureen Marchand’s cozy home studio (see more below), in Val Marie, Saskatchewan, near Grasslands National Park. Welcome to the joy and and confidence of oil colours.
Saturday June 13 to Sunday June 14, 2026
Val Marie, SK
Welcome to two days in supportive and comfortable surroundings, as you learn, or learn more, about the beautiful and forgiving medium of artists’ oil colours and how they can be both non-toxic and safe.
And how oils are meant to be used in as many ways as there are artists.
All levels of painting experience are welcome.
What’s in a name?
Artists’ oil paint gets a bad rap. Maybe it’s an idea we have about the name.
“Oil paint” used to be applied on woodwork and baseboards and it always smelled bad. It actually rarely exists any more because can have adverse health effects. It’s is on airline banned-substance lists because of its extreme flammability. “Oil paint” needs to be thinned and cleaned with poisonous solvents and is an all-round baddy.
But in fact, artists’ oil colours are something else entirely. Artists’ oil colours are made of pigment in vegetable oil, and can be used without a thinning medium and cleaned with specialized soap instead of solvents.
What’s in a history?
Or maybe it’s an idea we have about tradition.
Oil paint is for masters only and therefore impossible for artists who aren’t masters, which is almost everybody. It’s slow to dry, meaning you have to wait between the application of layers. It has too many rules.
The thing is, none of this is true. Or it doesn’t have to be. If you’re an artist who’s interested in painting in oils with new skills and confidence, please read on!
Because wouldn’t it be great to spend a weekend finding out how you can add artists’ oils to your repertoire or learn more about a medium you already use? Let me show you how enjoyable this artistic material can be, and how much richer you will feel with it on your side.
The weekend will begin at 9:30 am on Saturday June 13, 2026 and continue to 4:30 pm on Sunday June 14. This workshop will demonstrate not only that artists’ oils can be non-toxic and safe, but it also that they are meant to be used in as many ways as there are artists. You will learn colour mixing, varying application techniques, how to adapt oils to your own subjects and ways of working, and how generous oil painting can be. You will also learn safe studio practice and how to use oils without solvents or smell.
During this two-day workshop, you will have the opportunity to develop your compositional and planning skills, find different ways of mark-making that are personal and relevant, use a range of tools, and make and build on mistakes and accidents.
You will be given initial direction with regard to subject matter. If you also have specific subjects you want to use, such as objects, photographs, or ideas, please bring them. Whether oils are a new medium for you or you’re delving more deeply into a familiar one, you’ll be at home.
Materials: A suggested materials list will be supplied when you register. Participants will provide their own materials and supplies. Laureen also offers a selection of tools and materials from her own studio to enhance and complement those you bring with you. Sessions will be held classroom style with participants working on tables. If you require special personal equipment such as easels, extra lights, extension cords, etc., please bring these with you.
Class size: Registration is limited. Please book early.
Laureen’s home studio, private and quiet, is located in the village of Val Marie, next to Grasslands National Park. Coffee, tea, water, lunch, and snacks will be provided. These are included in the workshop fee.
(If you have special dietary needs, please advise when registering. Please also note that Val Marie is small and remote and while we will do our best to accommodate these needs, this may not be possible if they are very specific.)
Where: Val Marie, Saskatchewan, Gateway to Grasslands National Park. This is an extraordinary landscape of rolling hills, dry coulees, flat-topped buttes, a river valley, starry skies, and dramatic weather. Though we will paint indoors, the beautiful hills are available for hiking, photography, and inspiring views. Val Marie is 120 km south of Swift Current, 400 km west and south of Saskatoon, and 365 km west and south of Regina. You will receive more detailed directions when you register.
Workshop fee: $345. Registration closes May 29, 2026. For policies on cancellation of registration, please review this page: Workshop Cancellation Policy.
To book: Email laureenartist@gmail.com (not a live link – please copy and paste to reduce spam). You’ll be sent an invoice, payable by e-transfer.
In the evening, Val Marie has one restaurant, in the Val Marie Hotel, offering good and reasonably priced Chinese and Canadian cuisine. (Dinner is not included in the workshop fee.) Weather and interest permitting, we can go for a short hike in Grasslands National Park after Saturday’s session.
Val Marie, Saskatchewan, Gateway to Grasslands National Park, is set in an extraordinary landscape of rolling hills, dry coulees, flat-topped buttes, a river valley, starry skies, and dramatic weather. Though we will paint indoors, the beautiful hills are accessible for hiking, photography, and inspiring views. Val Marie is 120 km south of Swift Current, 400 km west and south of Saskatoon, and 365 km west and south of Regina. More detailed directions will be provided on registration.
Accommodation is available in Val Marie in the following locations. Please book directly. (Not included in workshop fee.)
- The Convent Inn: Located in the village of Val Marie, the Convent features nine bedrooms, long balconies on the main and second floors, a large sitting room, and Chapel. Breakfast is included.
- Sky Story Bed & Breakfast: Sky Story is a cozy bed & breakfast in Val Marie and offers a peaceful rest, hearty homemade breakfast, and good conversation. Wheelchair friendly room available.
- The Sanctuary Inn: The Sanctuary has a number of self-catering locations in Val Marie. All are self-contained with ensuite bathrooms and fully-equipped kitchens or kitchenettes.
- Don’s Place: Located in a former motel just north of the village, Don’s Place is self-catering vacation suites with fully-equipped kitchens or kitchenettes and sitting rooms.
- The Crossing at Grasslands: On 80 acres neighboring Grasslands National Park, The Crossing offers a quiet and luxurious retreat-like setting with three fully self-contained suites.
About Laureen Marchand: “In addition to living my life as an working artist, I have taught studio classes at the university level, led a variety of artist retreat workshops both in Canada and Ireland, offered art class teaching on contract in many settings, and taught in my home studio. I have also acted as a mentor to other artists in the development of their careers, operated Saskatchewan’s only fully online professional commercial art gallery, and led artist career workshops, for over 35 years. More than anything, I believe that each of us sees from our own personality and our own experience. My role as a workshop leader is to help develop what is unique about you.”
Reviews of past workshops:
“What a fabulous weekend of art, friendship, delicious meals, and perfect accommodations in the restored Convent in Val Marie, Saskatchewan. (I feel blessed!) Thank you, Laureen Marchand, for leading us astray in the stunning vistas of Grasslands National Park and for keeping us on track in our daily drawing activities. This was the perfect art retreat/holiday.” – Miranda Jones
Spent my weekend with a group of wonderful artists! Thank you @laureenartist for not only leading us through valuable art activities but also feeding us and providing us with a wonderful networking weekend with art colleagues from all over the province. – Blanche Johnston
“Laureen, thank you for offering the Drawing as Seeing Workshop. You’re an excellent teacher & I really enjoyed myself. It was wonderful to learn in such a unique location surrounded by amazing people. Everything was taken care of so well, even the weather worked its magic.” – Brenda Vine
Questions? Email laureenartist@gmail.com
Want to read more about more about painting with oils before you register? Click here and here.
I look forward to working with you!