Monhegan Island Workshop August 17 – 19, 2026
Plein Air Painting Workshop
Monhegan Island, Maine
Cost: $650 Limited to 14 students
Payment can be paid in full or made in 2 payments
To register and pay $325 down payment or to make 2nd payment click here
To register and pay in full $650 click here
To register and pay by check contact Neal Hughes [email protected]
August 17 – 19, 2026
Participants should plan to arrive on August 16th and depart on the 20th.
There will be daily demonstrations with time for students to paint and receive individualized guidance as they paint. This workshop explores ways to simplify the process of plein air painting utilizing a direct approach and using design as the foundation for more compelling and successful paintings.
Topics covered will include understanding and using value to create strong compositions, effective use of color, the role of edges, strategies for simplifying complex scenes, and practical approaches to handling changing light.
Click here for supply list: https://nealhughes.com/supply-list-for-workshops/
Located off the rugged coast of Maine, Monhegan Island has long inspired artists with its nostalgic village and fishing shacks, dramatic cliffs and timeless atmosphere. Since the late 19th century, painters such as Rockwell Kent, Edward Hopper, George Bellows, and Jamie Wyeth have captured its raw beauty, helping to establish Monhegan as one of America’s most celebrated and enduring art colonies.
Neal Hughes is a Fellow of the American Society of Marine Artists, a Master Signature member of Oil Painters of America and a Signature member of The American Impressionist Society and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society. He currently participates in many of the well known plein air competitions and festivals around the country. He will share his insight and knowledge of painting “en plein air” in his talks and demonstrations. He will discuss his approach to capturing the essence of the subject quickly while emphasizing strong design to insure a successful painting.
For my supply list click here
Accommodations on Monhegan Island:
Monhegan House – (207) 594-7983
John Sterling Harbor House 518-791-2838
Tribler Cottage (Apartments)– 1-207-594-2445
Trailing Yew – 1-207-596-0440
Shining Sails Bed and Breakfast– 1-207-596-0041
Island Inn – 1-207-596-0371
Brackett’s Oar House, Call: 207-594-9151
Fish beach rentals (207) 594-9151
*Also see www.Monheganwelcome.com for additional accommodations and island info.
Ferrys to Monhegan Island:
Monhegan Island boat line:
(The largest number of trips run from Port Clyde each day).
1 (207) 372-8848
Coastal Rte 1 to Rte 131 South
Departs Port Clyde 7:00 am*
Departs Monhegan 9:00 am*
Departs Port Clyde 10:30 am
Departs Monhegan 12:30 pm
Departs Port Clyde 3 pm
Departs Monhegan 4:30 pm
* Except Sundays in May/June, September/October
60 minutes journey time
Boothbay Harbor – The Balmy Days III
1 (207) 633-2284
1 (800) 298-2284
Coastal Rte 1 to Rte 27 South
Departs Boothbay 9:30 am
Departs Monhegan 2:45 pm
85 minutes journey time
New Harbor, Maine – The Hardy Boat
1 (207) 677-2026
1 (800) 2-PUFFIN
Coastal Rte 1 to Business Rte 1 (Damariscotta) to Rte 130
Departs New Harbor 9:00 am and 2:00 pm*
Departs Monhegan 10:15 am* and 3:15 pm
*May 28-31, June 25 – Sept. 26, then Fri.-Sun. until and including Columbus Day
60 minute journey time
