Liz Haywood-Sullivan PSA-MP

Build Your Best Painting: From Intent to Impact

January 15 to 17, 2027 (Friday to Sunday)
9:30 am to 4:30 pm (ET)

This workshop by Liz Haywood-Sullivan is designed to guide artists to the next level in their painting. This intensive three-day experience encourages a more deliberate and thoughtful approach by focusing on essential building blocks that are often overlooked.

We begin with the concept of intent, the “why” behind what you choose to paint. Intent influences every aspect of your work, from materials and technique to composition and execution. Composition and value are often at the heart of painting challenges, and we will address these structural elements through exercises using simplified shapes and clear value patterns.

We will also take a deeper dive into reference images, learning how to see more effectively, crop and edit with purpose, and understand the limitations of the camera. Through this process, artists will begin to make stronger, more intentional decisions in their work.

Participants are invited to bring a painting they have struggled with and revisit it using the principles explored in class. Daily demonstrations, individualized instruction, and collaborative discussion will support each artist’s development. 

Immerse yourself in what makes a painting truly sing.

Scholarship Opportunity

Instructor Bio

Liz Haywood-Sullivan, PSA-MP, IAPS/EP, AIS, has been dedicated to working exclusively in pastel since 1996. Her work is known for its ability to capture light and atmosphere, often exploring the subtle transitions between realism and abstraction in the landscape.

She is a sought-after instructor and judge for pastel societies and arts organizations around the world and is the author of Painting Brilliant Skies and Water in Pastel. Her award-winning work has been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions nationally and internationally.

Liz is a President Emerita of the International Association of Pastel Societies and a past president of the North River Arts Society. A lifelong educator, she is deeply committed to helping artists grow through a stronger understanding of the fundamental elements of painting.

Who This Workshop Is For

This workshop is designed for artists with some prior pastel experience, from advanced beginners through more experienced painters. It is especially valuable for those who want to strengthen the underlying structure of their work and develop a more thoughtful and intentional approach to painting.

Q & A

What do you hope students leave this workshop with?

A lot of students have reached a point in their painting practice without spending enough time developing the core building blocks explored in this workshop: intent, composition, structure, and value patterns. I hope this workshop provides pathways for artists to improve their work by becoming more deliberate and thoughtful about the structure supporting their paintings.

What makes this workshop unique or especially meaningful to you?

This workshop is based on more than 20 years of teaching and addresses the issues I most often see holding artists back. You cannot advance without studying and practicing these underlying elements, yet it can be difficult to find instruction focused on them. I especially value the portion where students revisit a painting they struggled with, applying the concepts in a way that is personal and meaningful to their own work.

What draws you to teach?

Teaching is a critical part of my painting practice. I’ve had generous mentors and feel a responsibility to pass on what I’ve learned. Giving back has always been important to me, and I find great satisfaction in teaching. I am also constantly learning from my students, which keeps the process dynamic and rewarding.

What would you like prospective students to know before attending?

Artists often work in isolation and must find motivation from within. My workshops create an environment where you can experiment freely while I help guide and push you forward. It’s a chance to explore new ideas, take risks, and open yourself up to growth and those important breakthrough moments.

Materials and Studio Setup

Finding the materials that work best for you is a process of experimentation and is individual to each artist. Taking a workshop is the perfect time to try something new. Use this list as a guide rather than exact requirements for your material selections.

Pastels

• Bring your pastels of choice, with a minimum of 150 sticks and a full range of colors and values
• Include a range of soft, medium, and harder pastels, at least hard and soft varieties
• Neutral grays and neutralized colors are essential
• Clean pastels and remove wrappings so colors are visible and easy to access
• Breaking pastels in half is encouraged to expand your working range
• A single pastel box is recommended for portability and organization (Heilman Box suggested)

If your current palette lacks neutrals, consider:
• Unison Grays 1–18
• Liz Haywood-Sullivan Girault Neutrals (50-piece set)

Paper and Backing Board

• Sanded pastel paper, cut approximately 8 x 10 to 12 x 16
• Light-colored surfaces (white or beige) suitable for underpainting
• Recommended brands: UART, Lux Archival, Art Spectrum, or Canson Touch
• Backing board if paper is not pre-mounted
• Pad of white drawing paper (11 x 14 or larger) for exercises

Additional Supplies

• Portable easel
• Sketchbook and drawing utensils
• Tombow markers in gray values (N75, N55, N25)
• Isopropyl alcohol (70%) for underpainting
• Tape (black, beige, or white only, no colored painter’s tape)
• Glassine for protecting finished work
• Towel for under your easel
• Sealed container for alcohol
• Viewfinder
• Synthetic brushes for underpainting (flat brushes in 1/2″, 3/4″, and 1″ recommended)
• Camera, phone, or tablet for reference photos (with charging cords)

Photo reference guidelines will be provided approximately one month prior to the workshop.