CHARLIE HUNTER
3 Day Plein air workshop
White Mountains. Tamworth, NH
June 1 -3, 2027
CHARLIE HUNTER
CHARLIE HUNTER
3 Day Plein air workshop
June 1 -3, 2027
The Preserve at Chocorua,Tamworth, NH (Limit 15)
* Workshop Only: $525
* All Inclusive Packages with accommodations and all meals / open bar at the Inn and / or cottage upgrade sold seperate. See details below).
Charlie Hunter — Three-Day Plein Air Painting Workshop & RetreatJune 2027 | The Preserve at Chocorua | Tamworth, New Hampshire
Join acclaimed Vermont painter Charlie Hunter for three immersive days of plein air painting in the foothills of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, at the beautiful 26-acre Preserve at Chocorua, in the shadow of Mount Chocorua.
We will paint from life at Mount Chocorua, nearby historic farms, and throughout the surrounding countryside—following in the footsteps of Thomas Cole, Albert Bierstadt, John Frederick Kensett, Jasper Francis Cropsey, Sanford Gifford, and other artists of the historic White Mountain School who came here to capture the American landscape.
Known for his quietly powerful, low-chroma paintings, Hunter places particular emphasis on value, edges, composition, and atmosphere. Each day will begin with a demonstration in which Charlie paints from life and discusses the decisions and discoveries that shape the work. He will explore how to simplify complex scenes, create mood and atmosphere, and develop a personal visual language rather than simply reproducing what is in front of us.
Participants will then paint independently, with Charlie providing individual instruction and guidance throughout the day. Sketching, compositional studies, unconventional tools and techniques, and the expressive possibilities of texture and paint will all be explored. Each day will conclude with group critique and conversation, providing an opportunity to learn from both Charlie and one another.
This is more than a painting workshop—it is a three-day creative retreat. An optional package includes lodging and meals, allowing you to leave everyday distractions behind and focus entirely on painting and enjoying the landscape. The Preserve offers a welcoming setting, an exceptional chef, a heated barn for indoor painting, and a fire pit with Adirondack chairs where we can gather in the evenings to talk painting and explore the rich artistic history of the White Mountains.
Come spend three days immersed in the landscape, surrounded by fellow painters, and guided by one of America’s distinctive contemporary landscape painters.
Paint. Explore. Experiment. And experience the White Mountains through Charlie Hunter’s eyes.
REGISTER:
Step 1: Reserve workshop only: $525. *(Deposit of $200 to hold your space).
Register: Call Todd Bonita: (603) 819-9100
Email: [email protected]
* Credit Cards or Pay Pay add 2.5%
* Venmo: @Todd-Bonita
* Cash for teachers pet.
* Checks made out to Todd Bonita and mailed to:
Todd Bonita, 28 McShane Ave, Greenland, NH 03840
Please write: "CHARLIE HUNTER" in the memo on the check).
Step 2: Reserve Accommodations:
All Inclusive accommodation Packages: (Contact Mary ar the Preserve at Chocorua: (603) 323 - 8333
* 2 Nights accommodations with private bath in the well appointed, cozy INN.
* Optional private or shared cozy cottage upgrade.
* All meals, snacks, drinks
* Spirits / cocktail evening
* Non-workshop guest / spouse welcome.
* Contact Mary at the Preserve for details, bookings reservations ; (603) 323 - 8333
*You do not have to stay at the Preserve to attend the workshop but we highly reccommend.
SCROLL BELOW for
* Accommodations
* Itinerary
* Supply list
* Frequently Asked Questions
3 Day Plein air workshop
June 1 -3, 2027
The Preserve at Chocorua,Tamworth, NH (Limit 15)
* Workshop Only: $525
* All Inclusive Packages with accommodations and all meals / open bar at the Inn and / or cottage upgrade sold seperate. See details below).
Charlie Hunter — Three-Day Plein Air Painting Workshop & RetreatJune 2027 | The Preserve at Chocorua | Tamworth, New Hampshire
Join acclaimed Vermont painter Charlie Hunter for three immersive days of plein air painting in the foothills of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, at the beautiful 26-acre Preserve at Chocorua, in the shadow of Mount Chocorua.
We will paint from life at Mount Chocorua, nearby historic farms, and throughout the surrounding countryside—following in the footsteps of Thomas Cole, Albert Bierstadt, John Frederick Kensett, Jasper Francis Cropsey, Sanford Gifford, and other artists of the historic White Mountain School who came here to capture the American landscape.
Known for his quietly powerful, low-chroma paintings, Hunter places particular emphasis on value, edges, composition, and atmosphere. Each day will begin with a demonstration in which Charlie paints from life and discusses the decisions and discoveries that shape the work. He will explore how to simplify complex scenes, create mood and atmosphere, and develop a personal visual language rather than simply reproducing what is in front of us.
Participants will then paint independently, with Charlie providing individual instruction and guidance throughout the day. Sketching, compositional studies, unconventional tools and techniques, and the expressive possibilities of texture and paint will all be explored. Each day will conclude with group critique and conversation, providing an opportunity to learn from both Charlie and one another.
This is more than a painting workshop—it is a three-day creative retreat. An optional package includes lodging and meals, allowing you to leave everyday distractions behind and focus entirely on painting and enjoying the landscape. The Preserve offers a welcoming setting, an exceptional chef, a heated barn for indoor painting, and a fire pit with Adirondack chairs where we can gather in the evenings to talk painting and explore the rich artistic history of the White Mountains.
Come spend three days immersed in the landscape, surrounded by fellow painters, and guided by one of America’s distinctive contemporary landscape painters.
Paint. Explore. Experiment. And experience the White Mountains through Charlie Hunter’s eyes.
REGISTER:
Step 1: Reserve workshop only: $525. *(Deposit of $200 to hold your space).
Register: Call Todd Bonita: (603) 819-9100
Email: [email protected]
* Credit Cards or Pay Pay add 2.5%
* Venmo: @Todd-Bonita
* Cash for teachers pet.
* Checks made out to Todd Bonita and mailed to:
Todd Bonita, 28 McShane Ave, Greenland, NH 03840
Please write: "CHARLIE HUNTER" in the memo on the check).
Step 2: Reserve Accommodations:
All Inclusive accommodation Packages: (Contact Mary ar the Preserve at Chocorua: (603) 323 - 8333
* 2 Nights accommodations with private bath in the well appointed, cozy INN.
* Optional private or shared cozy cottage upgrade.
* All meals, snacks, drinks
* Spirits / cocktail evening
* Non-workshop guest / spouse welcome.
* Contact Mary at the Preserve for details, bookings reservations ; (603) 323 - 8333
*You do not have to stay at the Preserve to attend the workshop but we highly reccommend.
SCROLL BELOW for
* Accommodations
* Itinerary
* Supply list
* Frequently Asked Questions
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Preserve at Chocorua
a picturesque White Mountain estate tucked away in the historic town of Tamworth, New Hampshire. The Preserve is a unique property that lends itself to taking it easy, letting time slowly drift by as you reflect on the nostalgia of days gone by. The Preserve was among the earliest farms to open its doors and was known as "Hayford's in the Fields" in the 1890's. It is our intent to extend a warm welcome to all those who choose to host their event with us. We hope you enjoy this exquisite property and form everlasting memories as you celebrate your joyous occasion.
Although our historical past runs deep, we have committed to improving our future by promoting green and sustainable events that produce the smallest carbon footprint as possible. Please take a look at all this wonderful estate has to offer.
26 ACRES OF UNTOUCHED NATURAL BEAUTY. EACH SEASON WITH ITS OWN UNIQUE CHARACTER. "OFFER YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS A RESPITE FROM EVERYDAY LIFE WITH OUR GRACIOUS & HISTORIC SETTING"
The Barn - Accommodates 225+ guests with a dance floor. Heated & air conditioned. Our new beautifully inspired, state of the art barn had just been completed. A Timber Peg Frame paired with modern light fixtures and finishes make this barn anything but rustic.
The Sap House - A quintessential New England Maple Sugar shack with endless uses. Host an intimate ceremony, stage with stately furniture for a lounge feel, or host an indoor/outdoor cocktail hour. Custom uses for your event are endless.
Ice Pavilion - Being constructed on the foundation of the old "ice house" this pavilion is a covered open air space complete with outdoor hearth stone fireplace, bricked hardscape, and bistro lighting. Pure perfection for your cocktail reception, ceremony, or for sitting fireside late night.
On Property - Two fire pits, Adirondack lounge chairs, croquet, lawn games, BBQ grills, hiking trails, cross country skiing trails, and more.
Sperry Sailcloth Tent - Our custom Sperry Tent is a sight to behold as you drive onto our property. The billowing peaks and our gentle rolling lawns allow for the perfect tented event setting, rain or shine.
Accommodations - Our four cottages, carriage house, and the main farmhouse can accommodate 60 overnight guests.
Parking - On site, easily accessible parking.
Trash & Recycling - Garbage receptacles on site, and we do encourage and assist with recycling.
a picturesque White Mountain estate tucked away in the historic town of Tamworth, New Hampshire. The Preserve is a unique property that lends itself to taking it easy, letting time slowly drift by as you reflect on the nostalgia of days gone by. The Preserve was among the earliest farms to open its doors and was known as "Hayford's in the Fields" in the 1890's. It is our intent to extend a warm welcome to all those who choose to host their event with us. We hope you enjoy this exquisite property and form everlasting memories as you celebrate your joyous occasion.
Although our historical past runs deep, we have committed to improving our future by promoting green and sustainable events that produce the smallest carbon footprint as possible. Please take a look at all this wonderful estate has to offer.
26 ACRES OF UNTOUCHED NATURAL BEAUTY. EACH SEASON WITH ITS OWN UNIQUE CHARACTER. "OFFER YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS A RESPITE FROM EVERYDAY LIFE WITH OUR GRACIOUS & HISTORIC SETTING"
The Barn - Accommodates 225+ guests with a dance floor. Heated & air conditioned. Our new beautifully inspired, state of the art barn had just been completed. A Timber Peg Frame paired with modern light fixtures and finishes make this barn anything but rustic.
The Sap House - A quintessential New England Maple Sugar shack with endless uses. Host an intimate ceremony, stage with stately furniture for a lounge feel, or host an indoor/outdoor cocktail hour. Custom uses for your event are endless.
Ice Pavilion - Being constructed on the foundation of the old "ice house" this pavilion is a covered open air space complete with outdoor hearth stone fireplace, bricked hardscape, and bistro lighting. Pure perfection for your cocktail reception, ceremony, or for sitting fireside late night.
On Property - Two fire pits, Adirondack lounge chairs, croquet, lawn games, BBQ grills, hiking trails, cross country skiing trails, and more.
Sperry Sailcloth Tent - Our custom Sperry Tent is a sight to behold as you drive onto our property. The billowing peaks and our gentle rolling lawns allow for the perfect tented event setting, rain or shine.
Accommodations - Our four cottages, carriage house, and the main farmhouse can accommodate 60 overnight guests.
Parking - On site, easily accessible parking.
Trash & Recycling - Garbage receptacles on site, and we do encourage and assist with recycling.
ITINERARY
Monday:
Arrive at 10am at the Preserve at Chocorua, 88 Philbrook Neighborhood Road, Tamworth, NH.
Keep your overnight bags in your car (Official INN check in is at 3pm). Bring your art supplies and lunch and get acquainted in the barn. Lecture, demo and paint on the 26 acres at the Preserve, Old growth trees, rolling pastoral grounds, cottages, trails, stone walls, etc, until 430. cocktail hour (6pm -7). Dinner together (Nightly 7pm)
Tuesday:
Breakfast daily 730-9. After breakfast make our way to Remick Museum Farm. 58 Cleveland Hill Road, Tamworth.
Lecture, Demo and paint for the day until 4. cocktail hour (6pm -7). Dinner together.
Wednesday: After breakfast, head out and paint Silver Lake Railroad, 1381 Village Rd. Silver Lake, NH.
Arrive at 10am at the Preserve at Chocorua, 88 Philbrook Neighborhood Road, Tamworth, NH.
Keep your overnight bags in your car (Official INN check in is at 3pm). Bring your art supplies and lunch and get acquainted in the barn. Lecture, demo and paint on the 26 acres at the Preserve, Old growth trees, rolling pastoral grounds, cottages, trails, stone walls, etc, until 430. cocktail hour (6pm -7). Dinner together (Nightly 7pm)
Tuesday:
Breakfast daily 730-9. After breakfast make our way to Remick Museum Farm. 58 Cleveland Hill Road, Tamworth.
Lecture, Demo and paint for the day until 4. cocktail hour (6pm -7). Dinner together.
Wednesday: After breakfast, head out and paint Silver Lake Railroad, 1381 Village Rd. Silver Lake, NH.
SUPPLY LIST
SUPPLY LIST
Here are current lists of materials Charlie Hunter uses and/or recommends for those interested in emulating his technique. If possible, please support your independent art supply store and purchase from them. However, for those who do not have access to a good, local shop carrying these particular items, we have an affiliate relationship with Blick Art Materials (and also with Amazon, for items not stocked by Blick). If you click through the links below, not only does this make ordering easy, we will get a few bucks and you can rest easy at night, knowing you have helped keep the cats from starvation, at least for another few days.
BASIC WORKSHOP SUPPLY LIST
Here is a basic list of what you would need for a Charlie Hunter workshop, in terms of Cobra water-mixable oil colors, Cobra water-mixable Safflower Oil, recommended brushes, and a selection of approved surfaces from which to choose.
MARK-MAKING TOOLS
If you want to try Charlie's method of painting, but want to skip the hassle of tracking down squeegees, the brushes he uses, the right kind of Stim-U-Dents, Q-TIps, etc., skip to the front of the line and order the Charlie Hunter Mark-Making Set - you can have it shipped to you, or - if you're taking a workshop with Charlie - he can bring it for pick up at the workshop itself. Order here.
SQUEEGEES
Ettore squeegees are the only way to go. For your first squeegee, you want the Pro-Grip Window Squeegee. This is an inexpensive plastic-handled squeegee with a silicone blade (unlike the rubber blade of the standard squeegee, the silicone stays sharper longer and remains impervious to the oils in oil paints, which start to break down the rubber after awhile unless you clean it thoroughly after each painting session). Once you decide that, yes, the squeegee is, indeed, a magic tool, spring for item #10006, the 6" Pro-Series Brass Squeegee. The brass handle is balanced amazingly well, and sits beautifully in the hand - this is a totally worthwhile upgrade (and replacement rubber is easily available).
Ettore makes any number of other sized squeegees, and I have several.
For those wishing to go deeper into the weeds.....
ARTIST COLORS
Charlie Hunter list of preferred Cobra Water-Mixable Oils - just click here!
Hunter uses "Cobra" brand solvent-free, water-mixable artist oils ("WMO's"), made by Royal Talens - learn all about them here. These are artist-grade paints with a very buttery consistency. Other WMO brands may offer these same color names, but consistency, pigmentation, value, temperature and opacity can vary greatly from brand to brand.
These colors are Hunter's base of operations. He will often demo or do field sketches solely with these colors.
MEDIUMS
Mediums are indispensable, but should be used sparingly. In field work, Hunter tends to use mediums starting part way through the painting, when the initial paint he has put down begins to set a bit.
BRUSHES
Blick Order Form for suggested Brushes - just click here!
Blick stocks Simply Simmons brushes; I buy bulk orders of Black Silver by Dynasty brushes and those are what you get in my Mark Making Kit, but they're basically interchangeable.
Brushes are an extremely individual choice. Hunter prefers medium-firm synthetic "flats" or "brights," ranging from about 1" down to 3/8" or so, so one has the right tool for the job. As well, a "rigger" or "liner" is invaluable for fine work, a fan brush is useful for subtle blends, and a couple of inexpensive 2-3" natural-bristle utility brushes (sold in hardware stores as "chip" brushes) are needed for initial block-ins and some finish effects. Lastly, getting a Rosemary Evergreen 1/2" Sword brush will make you feel cool. Just do it. Also worth having is a Rosemary Badger Blender #37.
UTILITY BRUSHES - Utility "Chip" Bristle Brushes - (we like a 2"-3" brush, ourselves).
BRUSHES OF SUFFICIENT QUALITY - If you are interested in trying Hunter's process without investing major bucks, we think "Black Silver" by Dynasty or "Simply Simmons" by Robert Simmons make a good short-handled plein air brush. Not as durable as a high-quality "studio" brush, they will, however, provide reliable service at an affordable price. Black Silvers are not carried by Blick, but Simply Simmons are.
REASONABLY FINE BRUSH SOAP - Working with Grace & Miss Mouse Soaps, a handmade-soapmaker located in the same building as my studio in Bellows Falls, Vermont, we have created an extremely high-quality, sustainably-sourced, brush soap that deeply cleans and beautifully conditions one's brushes. The soap comes in a reusable 5 oz. plastic tub (tin rusts and gets icky), and we will have refills available so plastic waste is minimized - click here to order (along with hats and shirts!). We also love Bristle Magic. It brings brushes we thought we had killed back from the dead.
Blick Order Form for Charlie Hunter Brushes - just click here!
BRUSH RESOURCES - Brushes are mighty confusing. Blick has an extensive trove of information on their website explaining the component parts of brushes, the purpose of different brush shapes and the materials from which they're constructed.
SURFACES
Hunter generally makes his own surfaces, applying muslin to gatorboard panels, using Amsterdam Acrylic Binder as the binding agent, then a coat of Golden Matte Medium to size the muslin, then applying three coats of good-quality Ampersand Acrylic Gesso. However, for those not wanting to head down the rabbit hole of making one's own panels, we find Blick Archival Linen Panels (Red Label) to be fairly similar overall to the homemade ones. Ampersand Gessobords are a very smooth surface that behaves quite differently, but Hunter enjoys painting on it from time to time.
PAINTING MISCELLANY
This rather eclectic set of additional accessories that follows is, of course, highly individualized. And only some are available from traditional art suppliers. We are including links from Amazon for those who wish to hew strictly by-the-book!
DRAWING PRACTICE
Hunter feels a daily drawing practice is crucial to developing as a painter. Keep a simple drawing set-up in your car, and when you have 20-40 minutes free, just sketch what's in front of you.
Here are current lists of materials Charlie Hunter uses and/or recommends for those interested in emulating his technique. If possible, please support your independent art supply store and purchase from them. However, for those who do not have access to a good, local shop carrying these particular items, we have an affiliate relationship with Blick Art Materials (and also with Amazon, for items not stocked by Blick). If you click through the links below, not only does this make ordering easy, we will get a few bucks and you can rest easy at night, knowing you have helped keep the cats from starvation, at least for another few days.
BASIC WORKSHOP SUPPLY LIST
Here is a basic list of what you would need for a Charlie Hunter workshop, in terms of Cobra water-mixable oil colors, Cobra water-mixable Safflower Oil, recommended brushes, and a selection of approved surfaces from which to choose.
MARK-MAKING TOOLS
If you want to try Charlie's method of painting, but want to skip the hassle of tracking down squeegees, the brushes he uses, the right kind of Stim-U-Dents, Q-TIps, etc., skip to the front of the line and order the Charlie Hunter Mark-Making Set - you can have it shipped to you, or - if you're taking a workshop with Charlie - he can bring it for pick up at the workshop itself. Order here.
SQUEEGEES
Ettore squeegees are the only way to go. For your first squeegee, you want the Pro-Grip Window Squeegee. This is an inexpensive plastic-handled squeegee with a silicone blade (unlike the rubber blade of the standard squeegee, the silicone stays sharper longer and remains impervious to the oils in oil paints, which start to break down the rubber after awhile unless you clean it thoroughly after each painting session). Once you decide that, yes, the squeegee is, indeed, a magic tool, spring for item #10006, the 6" Pro-Series Brass Squeegee. The brass handle is balanced amazingly well, and sits beautifully in the hand - this is a totally worthwhile upgrade (and replacement rubber is easily available).
Ettore makes any number of other sized squeegees, and I have several.
For those wishing to go deeper into the weeds.....
ARTIST COLORS
Charlie Hunter list of preferred Cobra Water-Mixable Oils - just click here!
Hunter uses "Cobra" brand solvent-free, water-mixable artist oils ("WMO's"), made by Royal Talens - learn all about them here. These are artist-grade paints with a very buttery consistency. Other WMO brands may offer these same color names, but consistency, pigmentation, value, temperature and opacity can vary greatly from brand to brand.
These colors are Hunter's base of operations. He will often demo or do field sketches solely with these colors.
- Cobra Van Dyke Brown (a warm, reddish dark brown with slight opacity)
- Cobra Raw Umber (an extremely transparent greenish dark brown)
- Cobra Titanium White
- Cobra (or Artisan) Payne's Grey
- Cobra Transparent Oxide Red or Burnt Sienna
- Cobra Ultramarine Blue
- Cobra Olive Green
- Cobra Raw Sienna or Cobra Transparent Oxide Yellow
MEDIUMS
Mediums are indispensable, but should be used sparingly. In field work, Hunter tends to use mediums starting part way through the painting, when the initial paint he has put down begins to set a bit.
- Cobra Water-Mixable Safflower Oil (a pale, non-yellowing, slow-oxidizing oil)
BRUSHES
Blick Order Form for suggested Brushes - just click here!
Blick stocks Simply Simmons brushes; I buy bulk orders of Black Silver by Dynasty brushes and those are what you get in my Mark Making Kit, but they're basically interchangeable.
Brushes are an extremely individual choice. Hunter prefers medium-firm synthetic "flats" or "brights," ranging from about 1" down to 3/8" or so, so one has the right tool for the job. As well, a "rigger" or "liner" is invaluable for fine work, a fan brush is useful for subtle blends, and a couple of inexpensive 2-3" natural-bristle utility brushes (sold in hardware stores as "chip" brushes) are needed for initial block-ins and some finish effects. Lastly, getting a Rosemary Evergreen 1/2" Sword brush will make you feel cool. Just do it. Also worth having is a Rosemary Badger Blender #37.
UTILITY BRUSHES - Utility "Chip" Bristle Brushes - (we like a 2"-3" brush, ourselves).
BRUSHES OF SUFFICIENT QUALITY - If you are interested in trying Hunter's process without investing major bucks, we think "Black Silver" by Dynasty or "Simply Simmons" by Robert Simmons make a good short-handled plein air brush. Not as durable as a high-quality "studio" brush, they will, however, provide reliable service at an affordable price. Black Silvers are not carried by Blick, but Simply Simmons are.
- Dynasty Black Silver #24 or Simply Simmons 1" Flat Wash (25x26mm)
- Dynasty Black Silver #18 or Simply Simmons 3/4" Flat Wash (18x21mm)
- Dynasty Black Silver #12 or Simply Simmons Flat Shader #10 (10x14mm)
- Dynasty Black Silver #6 or Simply Simmons Flat Shader #4 (5x9mm)
- Dynasty Black Silver #4 or Simply Simmons Flat Shader #2 (3x7mm)
- Dynasty Black Silver Long Liner 5/0 or Simply Simmons Rigger #0 (1.2x20mm), or Dynasty "Eye of the Tiger" set
- Dynasty Black Silver Fan #6 or Simply Simmons Fan Blender #4 (43x31mm) - not crucial, but can come in handy.
REASONABLY FINE BRUSH SOAP - Working with Grace & Miss Mouse Soaps, a handmade-soapmaker located in the same building as my studio in Bellows Falls, Vermont, we have created an extremely high-quality, sustainably-sourced, brush soap that deeply cleans and beautifully conditions one's brushes. The soap comes in a reusable 5 oz. plastic tub (tin rusts and gets icky), and we will have refills available so plastic waste is minimized - click here to order (along with hats and shirts!). We also love Bristle Magic. It brings brushes we thought we had killed back from the dead.
Blick Order Form for Charlie Hunter Brushes - just click here!
BRUSH RESOURCES - Brushes are mighty confusing. Blick has an extensive trove of information on their website explaining the component parts of brushes, the purpose of different brush shapes and the materials from which they're constructed.
SURFACES
Hunter generally makes his own surfaces, applying muslin to gatorboard panels, using Amsterdam Acrylic Binder as the binding agent, then a coat of Golden Matte Medium to size the muslin, then applying three coats of good-quality Ampersand Acrylic Gesso. However, for those not wanting to head down the rabbit hole of making one's own panels, we find Blick Archival Linen Panels (Red Label) to be fairly similar overall to the homemade ones. Ampersand Gessobords are a very smooth surface that behaves quite differently, but Hunter enjoys painting on it from time to time.
- Blick Archival Linen Panels (similar in tooth to Hunter's home made panels)
- Ampersand Gessobords (very smooth - not for initial attempts)
PAINTING MISCELLANY
- Large Mouth Palette Cup
- Palette Knives (Hunter prefers thin, flexible blades - but it's a matter of personal preference)
- Water Bowl - a plastic bowl; a coffee can; not a styrofoam cup.
This rather eclectic set of additional accessories that follows is, of course, highly individualized. And only some are available from traditional art suppliers. We are including links from Amazon for those who wish to hew strictly by-the-book!
- Cotton Swabs
- Stim-U-Dents (Original - Mint - green package; other types are too thin)
- Toothbrush
- Bounty Paper Towels (some folks like Viva, but Hunter swears by Bounty. Costco "Kirkland" brand are also excellent).
- Spray Bottle
- Afmat Electric (USB) Long-Point Pencil Sharpener
DRAWING PRACTICE
Hunter feels a daily drawing practice is crucial to developing as a painter. Keep a simple drawing set-up in your car, and when you have 20-40 minutes free, just sketch what's in front of you.
- Staedtler 3H Lumograph Drawing Pencil
- General's HB (hard) charcoal pencil
- General's Willow Charcoal
- General's Eraser Combo (white plastic, art gum, kneaded erasers)
- Wirebound Sketch Book (Hunter prefers soft white, but maybe you prefer extra white)
- Pencil Sharpener (for link to Afmat USB long-point sharpener, see Amazon list above)
CHARLIE HUNTER
CHARLIE HUNTERS WEBSITE
“Charlie Hunter has the uncanny ability to seize upon the most ordinary things, and transform them with his brush into bewitching jewels of design and artistic perception.”
— Richard Schmid, November, 2017
"Charlie Hunter stands outside and paints what he sees. Plein air is almost a sport you can compete with him some weekend. Some other weekend you can study with him to benefit from his review of how you paint what you see.You can buy a ticket to roll with him on a rail car someplace you could not otherwise travel to and stop on the tracks to paint what you see. What Charlie sees has to do with railroads and switching yards and the barns and fields that innovated like hell to compete with the big farms and markets that opened up to the west at the end of the 19th century.They were still in there swinging in our early childhood but fell in defeat as Charlie and I started adult lives.
If some more durable and local economy has begun around Vermont in its ruins Charlie has played a hand in that. He gives paintings to auction to keep movie night playing at the town hall. He works behind the scenes at the farmers' market. He organizes an annual music festival for the other couple thousand fans of a musician which runs in the black with volunteers and brings hundreds of thousands of dollars to local food and hospitality businesses.
There is a theme here that makes intuitive sense to me. It may be the kind of extraneous personal detail of no present interest that helps a lecturer chat after we all are dead around the intrinsically commanding objects we call art.
Charlie stands outside and paints what he sees.The sun is shining, casting shadows, the barn is still standing on its way to falling down. Railcars rust while tractors and trucks weather. Charlie goes off to New Mexico once a year to paint trains and I still don't know whether he means restoring the cars themselves or rendering them in oil as they fall apart. He works with sunny good cheer having the time of our life.
Anyone with a proper job can afford to study with Charlie Hunter to learn how, ride with him to paint in the wilderness, or buy one of these things that he makes so well that you may look at one on your wall till we all fall down."
– Daniel Edward Duffy, March, 2017
Born 1960, Duffy has served Viet Nam Generation, Inc., Viet Nam Forum at Yale Council on Southeast Asia Studies, and Viet Nam Literature Project as editor.
StatementMy goal is to paint beautifully that which is not traditionally considered beautiful. Sorta like a less-grotesque Anselm Keifer in a better mood. Using a squeegee helps.
I live in Bellows Falls, a resurgent mill town on the banks of the Connecticut River in Vermont. My studio is in an old paper mill. There, I like to paint what nature does to what man creates.
I was born in a small town in New Hampshire where we used to swim in the abandoned granite quarries. We had pigs and chickens and rambling barns. I'd walk home from school along the tracks of the Boston & Maine Hillsborough Branch , and read the names and slogans on the box cars that'd roll by, things like "The Nickel Plate Road" and "Santa Fe All The Way.”
When they put a highway through our barns, my family returned to the house built by my great, great, great grandfather in Weathersfield Center, Vermont, where my great aunts lived. Our family still makes maple syrup there and also have a hand-cranked cider press which makes amazing cider but can remove a finger if you're not careful (just ask Uncle Andrew).
My Dad was an occasional minister who ran a small print shop. There was always a lot of paper and drawing stuff around. I drew a lot. Though I did not appreciate it at the time, in college, I was lucky enough to be forced to draw the figure three days a week from 8:00 am till noon under the tutelage of William Bailey. Afterwards, I got a job designing tour posters for acts like The Clash, REM and The Jerry Garcia Band. I got to design a lot of album covers and became a music manager. I quit that just before the music business imploded and went back to painting a lot and running music trains (live music on long-distance train trips - rootsontherails.com) a few times a year. Now painting is my primary focus.
Thanks for looking.
“Charlie Hunter has the uncanny ability to seize upon the most ordinary things, and transform them with his brush into bewitching jewels of design and artistic perception.”
— Richard Schmid, November, 2017
"Charlie Hunter stands outside and paints what he sees. Plein air is almost a sport you can compete with him some weekend. Some other weekend you can study with him to benefit from his review of how you paint what you see.You can buy a ticket to roll with him on a rail car someplace you could not otherwise travel to and stop on the tracks to paint what you see. What Charlie sees has to do with railroads and switching yards and the barns and fields that innovated like hell to compete with the big farms and markets that opened up to the west at the end of the 19th century.They were still in there swinging in our early childhood but fell in defeat as Charlie and I started adult lives.
If some more durable and local economy has begun around Vermont in its ruins Charlie has played a hand in that. He gives paintings to auction to keep movie night playing at the town hall. He works behind the scenes at the farmers' market. He organizes an annual music festival for the other couple thousand fans of a musician which runs in the black with volunteers and brings hundreds of thousands of dollars to local food and hospitality businesses.
There is a theme here that makes intuitive sense to me. It may be the kind of extraneous personal detail of no present interest that helps a lecturer chat after we all are dead around the intrinsically commanding objects we call art.
Charlie stands outside and paints what he sees.The sun is shining, casting shadows, the barn is still standing on its way to falling down. Railcars rust while tractors and trucks weather. Charlie goes off to New Mexico once a year to paint trains and I still don't know whether he means restoring the cars themselves or rendering them in oil as they fall apart. He works with sunny good cheer having the time of our life.
Anyone with a proper job can afford to study with Charlie Hunter to learn how, ride with him to paint in the wilderness, or buy one of these things that he makes so well that you may look at one on your wall till we all fall down."
– Daniel Edward Duffy, March, 2017
Born 1960, Duffy has served Viet Nam Generation, Inc., Viet Nam Forum at Yale Council on Southeast Asia Studies, and Viet Nam Literature Project as editor.
StatementMy goal is to paint beautifully that which is not traditionally considered beautiful. Sorta like a less-grotesque Anselm Keifer in a better mood. Using a squeegee helps.
I live in Bellows Falls, a resurgent mill town on the banks of the Connecticut River in Vermont. My studio is in an old paper mill. There, I like to paint what nature does to what man creates.
I was born in a small town in New Hampshire where we used to swim in the abandoned granite quarries. We had pigs and chickens and rambling barns. I'd walk home from school along the tracks of the Boston & Maine Hillsborough Branch , and read the names and slogans on the box cars that'd roll by, things like "The Nickel Plate Road" and "Santa Fe All The Way.”
When they put a highway through our barns, my family returned to the house built by my great, great, great grandfather in Weathersfield Center, Vermont, where my great aunts lived. Our family still makes maple syrup there and also have a hand-cranked cider press which makes amazing cider but can remove a finger if you're not careful (just ask Uncle Andrew).
My Dad was an occasional minister who ran a small print shop. There was always a lot of paper and drawing stuff around. I drew a lot. Though I did not appreciate it at the time, in college, I was lucky enough to be forced to draw the figure three days a week from 8:00 am till noon under the tutelage of William Bailey. Afterwards, I got a job designing tour posters for acts like The Clash, REM and The Jerry Garcia Band. I got to design a lot of album covers and became a music manager. I quit that just before the music business imploded and went back to painting a lot and running music trains (live music on long-distance train trips - rootsontherails.com) a few times a year. Now painting is my primary focus.
Thanks for looking.
FALL WORKSHOP PHOTOS
