Painting Workshops & Lessons

In-person and online painting workshops, classes, lessons, and video tutorials. Jill offers a supportive environment for learning, enjoying, and transforming your oil or watercolor painting practice. Choose from one of many opportunities to gain confidence and take risks.

Jill Nichols teaching painting

Locations include: Silvermine Arts Center in New Canaan, Rowayton Arts Center, Kinstler Studio in Easton, Southport Studios, in Fairfield, private lessons in Huntington Center in Connecticut, and abroad in Italy, and France. See a few of the options and videos below.

Contact Jill today to discuss your options.

watercolor wave demo

Rowayton Arts Center
Zoom Classes

Register Today at (203) 866-2744
Online classes Wednesdays, 11 am – 1 pm
Oil and watercolor

Winter: Wed, Jan 8 – Feb 26
Spring 1: Wed, March 12 – April 30

Southport Studio
212 Center Street,
Southport, CT

Semi-private lessons, Oil and Watercolor
1 – 3 PM Tuesdays
One class $55., Two classes only $100., Three for only $140. 
Tuesday January 7, 14, 21
More dates for 2025 will be announced. Can’t make on those days? Let us know which days and times work for you. 

Place du Château, France plein air oil painting
Phi Silk Scarf

Silvermine Art Center
One-Day Workshops

Register today at (203) 966-9700

  • Sketch to Finished Painting, Saturday, March 15, 10:00 – 4:00
  • Color Alchemy, Saturday, March 1, 10:00 – 3:30
  • Learning from Clouds Saturday, February 22, 10:00 – 3:30
  • Photo(shop) Finish, Sunday, January 19, 10:00 -3:30

At right, close-up of silk scarf of PHI, oil on copper

In the Studio with Jill in Huntington, CT

Private lessons, Oil and Watercolor
By Appointment, Limited Availability
One class $75., Two classes only $125., Three for only $200. 
Contact Jill today to set up your lessons.

Afterglow Cape Cod National Shore. Beach with surf pastel colors
Italy landscape painting

Private Video Tutorial – $75.

Now you can have constructive feedback at your fingertips. Get the support you need from the comfort of your home.

What to Expect – A constructive step by step video of ways to improve your painting. I will be using Adobe Photoshop to ‘paint’ the next steps that you can take on your painting. I will refer you to relevant historical master paintings for your reference aw well. You will upload an image of your painting and your reference photo. Then your personal lesson video will be available to download to use at your convenience.

Painting serves as a retreat where the artist can find their center. It’s a form of meditation that allows for the expression and release of emotions. A wonderful form of communication to connect with others.
A visual validation of time well spent that leaves the artist with a sense of accomplishment.

Aerial View Castle Marouatte
Aerial View Castle Marouatte

Paint in France

8 Days – 7 nights All Inclusive
Private Castle 
Sept. 3 – 10, 2025
Plein Air Workshop in the heart of the Dordogne. Capture the magic of Southwest France, in the heart of the Dordogne. Private Grand Château 
More Info

Villa Italy painting retreat
Villa Italy painting retreat

Paint in Italy 

8 Days – 7 nights All Inclusive
Private Villa and Studio
Sept. 19 – Sept. 26, 2025
Live the dream painting in the heart of Italy. Private Villa and Studio. Immerse yourself in the Beauty of Italy, just 1 1/2 hours from the Rome airport 
More Info

The benefits of art classes goes further than the painting – it can add seven and a half years to your life. Don’t take my word for it – see what Jane Fonda has to say about the benefits of community in aging well and how to find that by joining an art class. Go to 2 minutes and 18 seconds in the video.