Upcoming Workshops:
Mixed Media Drawing Workshop & Retreat
April 26 - May 2, 2025
Sara and Chelsie are teaming up again… this time, in Ireland!
Join us for a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive Drawing Workshop & Retreat at the gorgeous Annaharvey Farm in Tullamore, Ireland next Spring.
Nestled in the heart of Ireland, Annaharvey Farm provides cozy accommodations on a rustic, historic equestrian ranch. The workshop will be held in their beautiful atrium during the day, with free time in the evening to explore the grounds, venture to nearby towns, or partake in additional group activities with your fellow creatives. Your all-inclusive stay comes with three home-cooked traditional Irish meals a day, allowing you to fully relax and be present in the lush surroundings. Please join us for this unforgettable experience to hone your skills and nurture your creativity in a serene and inspiring environment!
Chelsie and Sara share an artistic foundation rooted in traditional graphite work, yet both dare to expand our palettes with innovative techniques. You will learn to create a full scale of values with graphite, graphite powders, and pastels - from smooth light, ethereal values to velvety darks, to subtle tones of color… The course will also focus on studying facial structure, assessing accurate values, and rendering fine detail, wrapping with a touch on creating atmospheric backgrounds in the work.
This mixed-media drawing workshop welcomes both serious beginning students and seasoned professional artists!
Image provided by Annaharvey Farm
This course offers:
An opportunity to learn from two world-renowned artists
Realism graphite instruction
An overview of our favorite tools, papers, & mediums
An introduction to Sara's mixed-media graphite & PanPastel technique for creating detailed works with subtle tones of color
An introduction to Chelsie's mixed-media graphite technique for creating soft graphite ranges and warm, rich blacks
A detailed study of facial features, values, and planes
Tips for adding atmosphere to background imagery - with a brief study on creating skies, prairie grasses, and landscapes with graphite and additives.
Group critiques and individual consultations with each artist.
Group sketching time on the grounds of Annaharvey Farms
The opportunity to collaborate, share stories, and spark innovation together
A chance to make lasting memories and build relationships with fellow creative spirits.
PLUS A range of group excursions outside of the studio to explore Ireland! Including but not limited to:
- Sunset excursion to the Cliffs of Moher
- Visits to historic Castles
- Horse and sheep farm experiences
- Music & drinks at the local pub
- Plus many more!
When: Workshop dates: Monday, April 28 - Friday, May 2, 2025
All-inclusive accommodation: Check in on Sunday, April 27, check out Friday, May 2, 2025
Where: Annaharvey Farm, Tullamore, Co, Offaly, Ireland
Spots Available: 14 students max. Accommodations at Annaharvey offer 7 rooms, which can be sold as single or doubles. Workshop can also be attended individually without the all-inclusive stay.
Supplies: A supply list will be sent out after registration. The total for supplies should range from ~$30-$125 depending on where you purchase and what you have on hand.
All-Inclusive Workshop Price:
Includes room and three meals a day.
Single Room: $2,450; pay in full or use coupon code DEPOSIT to secure your slot for $1,225
Double Room: $1,900; pay in full or use coupon code DEPOSIT to secure your slot for $950
This option is great for friends who want to share the experience as well as save on costs! Also available to individuals who are willing to be paired with a fellow creative attending the course — please email us if you are open to us pairing you with a fellow student!
*Note: if you want to travel with a spouse who will not be attending the workshop, there will be an additional fee for them to join you in the double room, according to Annaharvey Farms’ policies.
Workshop Only Price: $1,175; pay in full or use coupon code DEPOSIT to secure your slot for $587.50
Refund Policy: Due to the location, we cannot refund, however, if you cancel before February 1, 2025, we can apply your money toward a future workshop of ours!
Secure your spot today with a 50% deposit simply by entering the code DEPOSIT before checkout!
~ We are also offering a $200 Early Bird Discount now through December 2nd ~
About Chelsie Murfee:
Chelsie Nicole Murfee is an internationally recognized graphite and charcoal artist who creates genuine depictions of people and contemporary life.
Her drawings have received prestigious awards from the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, the European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM) in Barcelona, Spain, Strokes of Genius publications, and The Artist Magazine. Her artwork is available through Chelsie Nicole Contemporary in Ozark, Missouri.
Her work is a gentle hybrid of drawing and painting, resulting from the meticulous blending of ink, graphite, or charcoal. Through painstaking layering, Chelsie strives to create drawings that capture the spirit of the moment without altering the narrative. Her work does not stage or pose models; instead, it attempts to document life as it naturally unfolds.
Chelsie teaches drawing nationally and workshops in her gallery & private studio in Ozark, Missouri.
About Annaharvey Farm:
Annaharvey Farm has been home to the Deverell family since 1928. It is now a 420 acre farm with four main enterprises: An equestrian center; a guesthouse in their 100 year old renovated barn; tillage crops such as wheat, oats, barley, and oilseed rape; and beef steers they rear on the farm.
Student Testimonials:
STUDENT WORK! Above is the first completed mixed-media drawing by Sara’s student, Zach Meyer.
“I reached out to Sara when I was stuck in my artistic practice. Within the first couple of sessions, I experienced many breakthroughs in how I approached drawing. Sara is an outstanding teacher. I gained new insights in every session, and she was patient, encouraging, and motivated me to learn more. I particularly enjoyed her demonstrations; it felt like observing an old master at work. I learned more from her than I did in six years of art school, it has changed my life.” - Zach Meyer, Mentee
“I cannot recommend this workshop enough. Chelsie Murfee and Sara Gallagher are incredible instructors. From the first moments of the first day, the tone was set for the perfect learning environment for every one of their students. They facilitated introductions and connections for each of us, thoroughly discussing the details of the project and meeting each artist where they are, regardless of background or experience level. Their demonstrations were expertly narrated and no detail was overlooked. Sara and Chelsie generously share a wealth of knowledge and techniques they have developed within their respective practices. They make their process accessible to students at every skill level with positivity and encouragement. Even more than the techniques and incredible knowledge shared, the sense of community that these women intentionally built within the workshop setting is invaluable. I have made lasting friendships and meaningful connections from this wonderful experience, and I look forward to another workshop again with these artists in the future.” - Traci Wright Martin, “Drawing the Self Portrait” workshop student
“In May of 2024 I was fortunate enough to experience a Drawing the Self-Portrait workshop instructed by Chelsea Murfee and Sara Gallagher. It was extraordinary! The studio and gallery space is loaded with charm. The work on the walls was of such a high quality, it proved inspirational. It is located on a town square that looks as if it belongs in Mayberry, complete with a beautiful courthouse and lovely gazebo. The supplies they provided were top quality. The workshop included a personal photoshoot complete with edits and digital images as well as incredible instruction and insights as to the application of both graphite and PanPastel. The girls were AMAZING. Not only are they incredibly talented with tremendous work ethics, they are open, honest, caring and generous to a fault. They are truly the most unselfish artists I have ever met. They worked diligently to create a safe space in which to learn. There was ample time for instruction and work. As an educator of many years, I was so impressed with their ability to connect with each participant on a meaningful level. Each student left the workshop feeling as if they were a success. I know I did. I will forever be grateful and I would recommend them most highly.” - Tracy Bruton, “Drawing the Self Portrait” workshop student
Past Workshops…
Two-Day Portrait Drawing Workshop
at Lost Clture Tattoo
Sara is partnering with Lost Clture Tattoo in Sacramento, CA to present this intensive 2-day graphite drawing workshop!
When: Sunday, Aug 11 - Monday, Aug 12, 2024, 9am - 5pm
Where: Lost Clture Tattoo, 1022 22nd St, Sacramento, CA 95816
Workshop Price: $500 - please contact Sue to secure your spot at: lostclturetattoo@gmail.com
Supplies: Upon registration, you will be given a full list of materials for the class. For anyone with limited funds there is an option to use materials at the studio for a small daily fee.
This workshop includes lectures, demos, and ample one-on-one guidance. Suited for all skill levels wanting to learn this unique approach to drawing!
No tattoo experience required - this is a graphite drawing workshop NOT a tattooing workshop.
Questions?! Please reach out to Sara, she’ll be happy to discuss anything! inquiries@saragallagherartwork.com
This is a 5-day workshop where Sara will teach foundational skills in her uniquely developed Graphite and PanPastel mixed media technique - an approach that blurs the lines between drawing and painting, allowing the soft velvety finish of a painting, with the crisp and precise attention of pencilwork. The students will learn the key tenants of realism (including form, value, and light), brief color theory, tools and application, and fine detail rendering. In addition to technical application, Sara will also open the discussion around composition, concept development, and the importance of exploring one’s own creative studio practice.
This workshop includes lectures, demos, and ample one-on-one guidance. Sara will provide numerous photo references for the workshop drawing, so individuals can choose the one that excites them the most. Suited for all skill levels wanting to learn this unique approach to drawing!
Where: Sara’s home studio, nestled in a beautiful redwood grove in Nicasio, CA (exact address provided upon registration.) This is one hour North of San Francisco, 20 minutes West of San Rafael, 20 minutes East of Tomales Bay, and 40 minutes East of the Pacific Ocean.
When: Wednesday, July 24th - Sunday, 28th, 10am - 3:30pm
Additional optional group activities include a short nature hike, one artist’s dinner out at historic Rancho Nicasio (Friday, July 26th), and a local concert at the Old Western Saloon in Point Reyes Station (Saturday, July 27th).
Workshop Price: $850; pay in full or choose the $300 deposit option to secure your spot and pay the remaining balance at a later date.
Refund Policy: A full refund can be issued if canceled before June 26th, 2024. Due to the limited number of seats, I cannot refund after that date however I am happy to apply your money toward a future workshop.
Supplies: Upon registration, you will be given a full list of materials for the class. For anyone with limited funds who would like to test out this technique first before investing in the required pastels or pencils, there is an option to use materials at Sara’s studio for a small daily fee.
Questions?! Please reach out to Sara, she’ll be happy to discuss anything!
inquiries@saragallagherartwork.com
I’m teaming up with Chelsie Murfee!
I am thrilled to partner with Chelsie next spring to offer a Self-Portrait Workshop in her gorgeous studio in the Ozarks!
Chelsie and I share an artistic foundation rooted in traditional graphite work, yet both dare to expand our palettes with innovative techniques.
Join us in the studio to learn foundational graphite methods, as well as how to achieve unique darkest darks, brightest brights, and subtle applications of color in an otherwise black-and-white medium.
This mixed-media drawing workshop welcomes both serious beginning students and seasoned professional artists!
This course offers:
Basic & advanced realism graphite instruction
An overview of each artist's favorite tools, papers, & mediums
An introduction to Sara's mixed-media graphite & PanPastel technique for creating detailed works with subtle tones of color
An introduction to Chelsie's mixed-media graphite technique for creating soft graphite ranges and warm, rich blacks
A mini personal photo shoot with digital images
Digital editing tips for creating strong reference photos
Group critiques & one-on-one consultation with each artist
Quality time with other creative souls