3 Day In Person Intensive July 9, 10, 11 2026

Day 1: The Basics — 9:30 - 4:30  July 9, 2026

Dive into the essential tools and techniques that every digital painter should master. Core Photoshop tools for digital painting, including brushes, selections, and layers and how to use them. From beginner to advanced. A small group will provide each student to progress at their own pace. Each technique will be explained and demonstrated. 

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• 1.This is an immersive class covering all aspects of digital art and compositing.

• 2. When and how to photograph animals for story telling.

• 3. Why Karen’s preferred painting technique is the smudge brush

• 4. The fundamentals of Karen’s newest love “concept brush” painting.

• 5. How to create backgrounds using the Mixer Brush (featuring the famous Squirrel Brush!)

• 6. Techniques for painting people, clothing, and animals and birds.

• 7. Principles of composition, color theory.

• 8. Advanced workflow essentials, including blend modes, adjustment layers, dodging,burning and layer organization.

• 9. Highlights and shadows where and how to apply.

• 10. Storytelling and how to create it using compositing and layers to create realistic or imaginative paintings.

• 11. Brush making.
  
  
  
  Day 2 and 3  Hands-On, In-Person Practice 9:30 - 4:30  July 10th & 11th
  
  Full day of editing and painting. Karen will help you apply Day1’s techniques to your own creative projects, offering personalized feedback and support along the way.

• Work with Karen on a step by step image or venture out on your own with the freedom to ask questions as you work. From beginner to advanced this small group will provide each student to progress at their own pace.

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• Prerequisites: Wacom Tablet or similar is strongly recommended.

• Latest version of Adobe Photoshop Basic knowledge of layers is preferred (we will be working in layers )

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• Bonus Material: All participants will receive a custom brush pack featuring the brushes used throughout the workshop.

• 1 hour of free mentoring for questions you may have.

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• Optional:  Add of 3 hour mentor session to be used for any questions or challenges you may have add $95.00

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• By the end of this fun and informative 3-day experience, you’ll be equipped with the confidence, skills, and tools you need to create your own digital paintings with ease and creativity.            

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• Questions and Answers 

• 1. Travel: What is the closest airport? Boston Logan 30 min west of Natick

• Bus service is available from Logan to Framingham: Take Logan Express to Framingham and I am happy to pick you up. 

• Car rentals are also available at Logan and there is an Enterprise car rental pick up and drop off minutes from my studio as well in Natick.

• Location:  Karen McCall's  Studio/Home:  4 Blossom Cir, Natick MA 01760  508 397-5950

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• 2. What equipment do I need to bring? 

• *Updated photoshop. Lower versions  ( 2016 ) do not support the brushes and tools to paint with.

•  Computer requirements Windows 10 or later/Mac OS 13

• * Small external hard drive optional.

• * Any images you’d like to paint.

• *Tablet /Pen: 

• Although a wacom tablet is not required to learn from one of my programs it is highly suggested.

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• Type somethinSuggested Tablet:  Wacom INTUOUS PRO tablet. I use the small.  I have used them all and find that I paint on a small area. Bigger is not always better. The Wacom INTUOUS PRO around $249  ( reach out if you are unsure ) 

• Please go onto the wacom site and update your drivers prior to class. 

• Wacom has a great support center if you have trouble setting up your tablet or updating your drivers   

• 1-855-MY-WACOM (699-2266)   https://support.wacom.com/hc/en-us 

• A few notes about your tablet. You can go into the preferences and adjust the settings for your touch. Wacom will talk you through that as well. 

• I will provide power banks for charging, 

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• 3.Lunch?

• Will be on your own ( we have many take out / delivery options in the area).  Snacks, coffee, water will be provided.

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• 5. What is the cancellation policy?  On or before July 1st, 2026 $200.00 will be refunded

• After July 9 - No refunds.

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• 6.Lodging: There are 3-4 hotel with in a 5-7 min drive to my studio

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• 7. Make it a learning vacation! Things to do in New England.

• Boston Tall Ships are in town:  Sail Boston Festival  July 11-16th Packed with Maritime spectacles Boston Harbor.

• Cape Cod:  1-2 hour drive, visit gorgeous beaches or take a ferry to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard.  (Plan ahead)

• Maine coast:  Visit the rocky coast of Maine to see the many lighthouses from York Maine, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, Portland to Acadia Take a ferry to photograph Puffins York is my summer  destination.

• Newport R.I.  About an hour drive.  VIsit the gilded age mansions and the coastal charm.