This is the first in our series of workshops led by Fellows of ASMA, exclusively for members of ASMA.
Plein-air Painting Workshop with Bill Duffy
Essex, Connecticut
June 20-21, 2026
$500
Join us for a 2-day plein-air painting workshop on the beautiful grounds of the Connecticut River Museum.
Space is limited to 12 students.
“Bill Duffy is a grandmaster of the elements of painting which separate the great landscape painters from the rest of us: the authenticity of light and atmosphere, deft and expressive brushwork, subtle modulation of colors within colors, and the ability to evoke a certain mood. These elements elevate Bill’s work to the highest level.”
This workshop focuses on a painting process that improves how you see and manage tone and design. I teach a specific approach to composition and painting that I believe will be useful to you, whether you adopt it fully or adapt parts of it to your own practice.
examples of Bill Duffy’s artwork
Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22, 2026
Meet at 8:30 AM at
The Essex Yacht Club
13 Novelty Lane
Essex, CT
Each morning, from the meeting point, we will have a wonderful couple of minutes’ walk with our painting gear to our painting site on the grounds of the Connecticut River Museum, with stunning views of the river.
I begin by demonstrating the value of making a few small compositional drawings on toned paper, using an office pencil and a white charcoal pencil. These quick studies allow me to resolve the composition before committing to paint.
Once I’m satisfied with a sketch, I move on to a full-size alkyd underpainting, working with a limited palette. From there, I complete the painting in full color with oil paint. I will answer questions along the way and explain the choices behind each decision.
After lunch the class will paint the same subject, perhaps focusing on something else. I will help each student to the extent that they want my input. At the end of each day there will be a critique.
The major points I will touch upon are:
Using a simple four-value approach as a tool in design.
Understanding the role of color and contrast in the creation of mood.
Achieving focus through value and color contrast, shape diversity, edge manipulation, and thick and thin paint quality.
Learning to simplify value patterns to achieve unity and impact.
Discussing art supplies and painting tools.
Be sure to bring the materials listed below.
SPECIAL EVENTS
In addition to class time, we have arranged these optional special events:
Friday, June 19, 5:30 -7:30
An informal meet-and-greet at the home of Bob and Brenda Osborn
31 Book Hill Woods Rd, Essex, CT
Light snacks, beer or wine. I will give a short talk with illustrations followed by a Q&A.
Saturday Evening, June 20
A possible after dinner cruise on the Connecticut River aboard Onrust, a re-creation of sailing ship from the 1600s. (Price not included in tuition fee. Please discuss this with me when you sign up so I can get a head-count.)
Sunday Evening, June 21 — 5:45
Dinner at the Essex Yacht Club (Price not included in tuition fee.)
About Bill Duffy
Bill was born in Boston in 1948. He received his art education at the School of the Worcester Art Museum/Clark University, and the Boston Architectural Center. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Marine Artists, and is a former member of the New England Plein Air Painters, the Copley Society, and the Oil Painters of America.
AWARDS
1993— Award of Excellence
1st Mystic International Exhibition at the Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport
Judges: George Plimpton, founder of the Paris Review, and Stephen Doherty, Editor of American Artist
1998 —Award of Excellence
Mystic International Exhibition at the Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport
Judges: James Taylor of the National Maritime Museum in England, and Peter Sutton, Director of the Wadsworth Athenaeum, Hartford, CT
2004 —Award of Excellence
Mystic International Exhibition at the Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport
Judges: Stephen S. Lash, Chairman of Christie's Americas, John Carter, President of Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, and Dawn Riley, America's Cup contender
2006 — Award of Excellence
Oil Painters of America
EXHIBITIONS
1996 — group show at Big Horn Gallery in Fairfield, CT
1994 to 2014 — the Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport's annual Modern Marine Masters exhibition
2006 — Solo exhibition of plein-air works at Quidley and Co. Gallery, Nantucket
2008 — group exhibition at: The Chase Center, Wilmington DE, The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, MD, Noyes Museum of Art, Oceanville, NJ, Spartanburg Art Museum, Spartanburg, SC, New Bedford Art Museum, New Bedford, MA.
GALLERIES
Pierce Gallery, Nantucket, MA
J. Russell Jinishain Gallery, Stonington, CT
Mr. Duffy’s work is in the permanent collection of American museums, art centers and corporation. His work is also in private collections, in the USA, Europe and the Far East.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
"I approach painting on three different levels. First is the aesthetic. Composition for me is a complex exercise of arranging squares and rectangles broken by subtle curves and angles, fitting into a cohesive whole, and activated by progressive systems of warm and cool colors.
The second level is creating a sense of place. Light, atmosphere, local color, and texture play the major roles, enabling the viewer to say, yes, this is the Azores, Nantucket, Cape Cod, or Ireland. Painting on location, producing small studies, is crucial to the success of the final studio painting. Although I put the most emphasis on my studio work, many collectors have sought out my studies as works of art in and of themselves.
The third level is the emotional or spiritual content. For me this is the most important level, and the most difficult to articulate. A painting must have mood and subtle power. I try to stir the soul."
Registration & Payment Policies
Tuition
$500
Cancellation policy:
Before April 1: full refunds less credit card fees
From April 1-June 1: a 50% refund.
After June 1: a refund will be issued if another student can take the spot from the waitlist.
Transfers
If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another participant with prior approval from the workshop organizer.
Workshop Cancellation by ASMA
If the workshop must be cancelled by ASMA, all tuition payments will be fully refunded.
Minimum Enrollment
If minimum enrollment of 5 students is not met, participants will be notified and issued a full refund.