Ever wondered how the Laguna Plein Air Painters legacy began? Now is your chance to learn from the source! Join us for a special 3-day plein air painting workshop with LPAPA Founder & Signature Artist Saim Caglayan.

Join us for a rare opportunity to study with the founding spirit of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association. This 3-day, in-person workshop is designed for painters of all experience levels—from curious beginners to seasoned professionals looking to refine their craft.

Is this workshop for you?

• Do you love the landscape but struggle to capture it on canvas?

• Want to achieve more confident results when painting outdoors?

• Have you been curious about plein air but felt intimidated to start?

• Are you looking for a creative “kick-start” and fresh inspiration?

In this workshop, Saim will focus on three main elements in plein air painting: Composition, Value and Color. This is a great opportunity to learn the techniques that helped build the Laguna plein air legacy in a supportive, hands-on environment. Learn more about this workshop and the artist at SaimCaglayan.com. 

Workshop Investment & Details*:

• LPAPA Members Tuition: $475.00

• Non-Members Tuition: $500.00

• Maximum: 10 painters

• Dates: Monday June 15th, Tuesday June 16th & Wednesday June 17th, 2026

• Times: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day with 1-hour lunch break

• Painting Locations: Laguna Beach & San Juan Capistrano; location details to be shared with registrants in advance.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

*Note: LPAPA Members need to log in to receive the Member Discount. The workshop tuition must be paid in full to hold your spot. Registrations remaining unpaid for 3 or more days are subject to cancellation. Workshop fees are non-refundable, however, they are transferrable. Please contact LPAPA’s Executive Director Bonnie Langner by email at bonnie@lpapa.org or call (949) 376-3635 for assistance.

Laguna Plein Air Painting Workshop
July 19 – 24, 2026
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP

CLICK HERE FOR THE DEMO TICKET

LPAPA Signature Artist Aimee Erickson leads this Plein Air Painting Workshop in Laguna Beach, California, beginning Sunday evening through Friday morning, July 19 – 24, 2026. This is a great opportunity to learn more about painting outdoors, get tips for adding inspiration to help kick-start or take your work to the next level, and grow as an artist! 

This is a 5-day plein air painting and lecture workshop taught over a 6 day period (two 1/2 days and 4 full days). We start with a Sunday evening meet and greet and demo, followed by four days of morning painting sessions with roving instruction, evening lecture/critique sessions (plus optional nocturnes), and a final morning of painting and optional no-host class lunch. Schedule and Locations will be provided to registrants in advance.

All painting experience levels are welcome, beginner to professional, however, having some experience is recommended — plein air painting is challenging even if you do know a thing or two about painting. This workshop will include lecture, demonstrations, roving one-on-one instruction, critiques/celebrations, and painting on location at outdoor Laguna and nearby locations. 

Students must provide their own art supplies, meals, accommodations, and transportation to and from painting sites, as well as pay parking fees. Maximum of 16 students (if showing full, be sure to click to add your name to the waitlist — cancellations are a possibility).

Visit: AimeeErickson.com to learn more about this award-winning artist and sought-after instructor!

Workshop Tuition*: $850.00 for LPAPA Members, $875.00 for Non-Members
Maximum: 16 students
Dates: Sunday evening July 19 through Friday morning July 24, 2026
Times: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm (or later for nocturnes)
Locations: Mostly Heisler Park in Laguna Beach. Specific painting locations, recommended supply list and schedule, to be provided to registrants in advance.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP **

** If registration is showing full,
be sure to add your name to the waitlist so you are notified in the event of cancellations.

In addition, the LPAPA Gallery is proud to present a special “Artist in Residence” Showcase Exhibition featuring original available works created by Aimee Erickson at the LPAPA Gallery July 2nd through Monday August 3, 2026. 

Plan to join us for a special LPAPA Gallery “Plein Talk & Painting Demonstration” with Aimee Erickson at the LPAPA Gallery on Sunday July 19th, 5:30-7:30 pm; students will meet early at 5:00 pm before the talk/demo; the Plein Talk registration for students is included in the workshop fee.

LPAPA Members: login when registering to receive the member discount.

PLEIN TALK/DEMO REGISTRATION LINK

FAQ:

Where to stay, and will I need a car? If your lodging is within walking distance of the LPAPA Gallery at 414 N Coast Hwy, all the workshop locations are within walking distance except for the last day. For that location you can either carpool or get a rideshare.

I’ve never done a nocturne–what do I need to know? It’s an adventure. Set your expectations to “play time.” We set up before sunset, with time to pre-mix some piles, and once the sun sets it gets dark fast. A book light or music stand light will extend the session. You can also stand near a street lamp. Studying nocturnes by painters you like is a good idea: look for color schemes and value distribution.  There is an evening lecture devoted to nocturnes, so you’ll be briefed on the fundamentals.

Do I have to have all the paints on the Supply List? No. Better to work with what you know and add one or two new colors.

Where can I buy Aimee’s book? The LPAPA Gallery has a limited number of copies of “Plein Air Techniques for Artists” available for purchase, or any of the usual booksellers carry it.

* The workshop tuition must be paid in full to hold your spot. If you need to cancel, a full refund less any credit card transaction fees incurred by LPAPA will be issued if LPAPA receives your cancellation more than 60 days prior to the start of the workshop (on or before 5:00 pm Monday May 18, 2026). If you cancel within 60 days of the start of the workshop (on or after May 19, 2026, and no later than June 18, 2026), you will receive a refund of your tuition LESS LPAPA’s $100 cancellation processing fee UNLESS someone on the waiting list fills your spot in the workshop in which case you will receive a full refund less any credit card transaction fees incurred by LPAPA. If you cancel within 4 weeks of the start date (on or after June 19, 2026), you forfeit your entire tuition UNLESS the workshop is full and someone from the waiting list fills your spot in the workshop in which case you will receive a full refund less any credit card transaction fees incurred by LPAPA.