Bill Cone Workshop—Pastel & Oil
A Plein Air Painting Workshop
Instructor: Bill Cone
Dates: May 6–8, 2027 (Th–Sa)
Class times: 9:00–4:00
Medium: Pastel / Oil
Class Limit: ONLY 12 students
Tuition: $750.00
Level: All Levels
Location: Greater Carmel Area
Join renowned artist Bill Cone for three inspiring days of plein air painting along the spectacular California coast near Carmel. From rugged headlands and rocky coves to atmospheric skies and shimmering water, the Carmel region offers an endless variety of subjects—and Bill will help you discover how to turn these beautiful scenes into compelling paintings.
The workshop will focus on the elements that make coastal painting so exciting: atmosphere, water, light, and composition. Each day, we’ll paint on location at a different scenic site, with Bill providing demonstrations and plenty of individual instruction to help you develop your own approach to painting outdoors.
A few days before the workshop, we’ll gather online for an introductory Zoom lecture with Bill. This gives everyone a chance to meet, discuss the workshop, and explore some of the ideas and techniques we’ll put into practice once we’re out painting together.
And because great workshops are about more than painting, we’ll gather for a relaxed dinner and drinks one evening after class—a chance to share stories, talk art, and enjoy the company of fellow painters.
Bill works primarily in pastel, and his demonstrations will focus on the unique possibilities of the medium. However, artists who regularly work in other mediums are absolutely welcome. Bring the medium you’re most comfortable with and join us!
Whether you’re an experienced plein air painter or looking to take your first steps into painting outdoors, this workshop offers a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the landscape, sharpen your observational skills, and spend three memorable days painting along one of California’s most inspiring coastlines.
Feel free to contact Bill Cone directly if you have any questions at moraga97@yahoo.com
BIO: An ArtCenter College of Design graduate in 1983, Bill Cone has spent more than 25 years painting landscapes, with a particular passion for the hills and coast of California and the remote beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains. His love of painting outdoors has taken him on annual pack trips into the Sierra, where he works directly from the landscape and studies the ever-changing effects of light, atmosphere, and color.
Working primarily in pastel, Bill has exhibited his paintings in numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout California. His work reflects a deep understanding of light and atmosphere, shaped by decades of painting outdoors and an exceptional career in visual storytelling.
For 29 years, Bill’s professional career was as a Production Designer at Pixar Animation Studios, where he created hundreds of pastel lighting studies that helped establish the visual direction and mood of Pixar films. His credits include A Bug’s Life, Toy Story, Cars, Inside Out, Up, and Luca, among many others.
Bill’s experience at Pixar has had a profound influence on his approach to landscape painting. His ability to quickly interpret a scene through shape, value, color, and light allows him to capture the essential character of a landscape without losing its atmosphere or emotional impact.
A respected voice in the plein air community, Bill has lectured at numerous Plein Air Conventions and art events and is a sought-after workshop instructor. His teaching combines his extensive professional experience with a genuine love of painting outdoors, making his workshops both informative and inspiring.
Join Bill Cone for an unforgettable plein air experience along the California coast, where you’ll explore the landscape, study the effects of light and atmosphere, and discover new ways to bring your paintings to life.
