COLOR + DESIGN is Mark’s signature workshop providing artists with a comprehensive, in-depth dive into the world of Color Mixing and Principles of Design.
Mark’s forte is meeting each artist where they are, helping to expand their knowledge of concepts, techniques and strategies in order to create successful compositions of richly orchestrated color. This workshop has proven to help overcome doubt, fear, and uncertainty – a common malady amongst artists. Mark’s motto is: Knowledge + Craft = Freedom.
Intuition and cognitive understanding work hand in hand advancing and refining one’s own personal vision and voice in their studio practice.
As a group, we will open many doors, push through some walls and set up a path for each participant to further explore. This workshop is designed to benefit artists who work figuratively and abstractly, at all levels.
Topics covered:
Identifying the seven compositional elements (line, shape, color, value, mass, space, texture).
Discussing the seven principles of design ( balance, visual weight, emphasis, hierarchy, direction, simplicity, unity).
Exploration of Color and Color Mixing / understanding hue, value, saturation and color relationships.
Understanding Abstraction / how to see ALL art & subject matter, based on abstract structures and arrangements.
Design + Composition / putting it all together with various visual exercises.
Art History and Study of the Masters / understanding the lineage of art and utilizing those connections to inspire and inform one’s own practice.
About Mark
Mark Eanes is a painter, printmaker, photographer, curator, and educator who currently lives and works in Richmond, Virginia.
Prior to living in Virginia, Mark lived in the Bay Area of California since 1970. He holds a BFA in Fine Arts from U.C.Santa Barbara and an MFA from Mills College.
Eanes is Professor Emeritus from the California College of the Arts in San Francisco, where he taught drawing and painting courses for over thirty three years. Mark also taught at other art institutes in California including San Francisco State University, the Academy of Art University, Dominican College in San Rafael, College of San Mateo, and other community colleges.
Mr. Eanes taught figure drawing at the California State Summer School for the Arts ( a pre-college arts program at CalArts in Los Angeles) for twelve years, and was the Chair of the Visual Arts Department for three years. Mark has also conducted numerous private drawing and painting workshops throughout California and Italy, and has recently created online courses (The Language of Color, Design and Drawing) through the Mark Eanes Academy website.
Eanes has exhibited his artwork throughout California as well as nationally and internationally. His past solo and selected exhibitions include the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, CA., the Parsons School of Design in Paris, the Applied Arts Museum in Belgrade, Serbia, the Cumberland Gallery in Nashville, Tennessee, the Documenta Galeria de Arte in San Paulo, Brazil, Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA, Pence Gallery in Davis, CA, Hanford Center for the Arts, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, and the San Francisco Center for the Book, among many other venues.
Reviews
From all of us here at EOM
You are warmly invited to stay a while.
We invite you to imagine standing on the panoramic hillside of our studio, taking in the spectacular views of Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick (Ireland’s holy mountain).
Open your heart to the profoundly moving drama of the constantly shifting Atlantic skies, reflecting an ever-changing light show on the bay. The wildness and grandeur of this spectacular area belie the peace and connection you will feel to Ireland and to this very special place.
Lie on a blanket in the heather and watch the stars emerge on a clear night, or walk along the rocky shores to gather shells, driftwood, and memories. Feel yourself letting go of the stress of everyday life as the mystery and beauty of this land awaken your senses.
This unspoiled landscape provides a haven of inspiration and experimentation, a place to stretch your skills in whatever medium you are working with, all within an amazing, state of the art studio.
Join us in Mulranny, Ireland.
Set in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way, Essence of Mulranny Studios provides a sanctuary for creativity—where the rugged beauty of Ireland’s west coast becomes both backdrop and inspiration. Surrounded by stone walls, sea air, and the deep-rooted myths of the land, you’ll find the perfect setting to truly immerse yourself in your work and your growth.
Local Villages
Meet the local people, warm, friendly and always happy to chat and share a story or a cup of tea. While you're here, take some time to explore the charming village of Westport, where you can shop at the quaint stores and perhaps stop by a local pub or two.
Connect with Nature
Finding something to inspire you is not hard with the richness of the various eco systems surrounding Mulranny - from marine to mountain landscapes, with grasslands, bog and heather hills - this enchanted land casts a spell on any artist.
Enriching Excursions
Visit historic sites. Learn about the infamous Irish Pirate Queen and visit one of her many castles. Hear the story of our Stone Age ancestors and experience the myths and magic of Irelands spiritual roots while standing in one of the ancient stone circles. This is indeed a land of legends!
Find Your Inspiration
Make sure to pack your camera and sketchbooks because you're about to embark on a journey that will capture your heart and fill your mind with boundless inspiration. Prepare to be swept away by the sights, sounds, and stories that make this place truly magical.
Your Time with Mark at EOM
Your 8 days will be a beautiful blend of studio time, delightful excursions, cultural experiences and of course, plenty of free time to rest and explore!
You can arrive, unpack your suitcase (and your art supplies) and truly relax, at the gorgeous Essence of Mulranny Retreat center, operated by yours truly. We will be visiting enchanting villages, strolling along the beautiful coastline, touring ancient castles and ruins, picnicking in the heather fields and creating all along the way! The creative inspiration will be all around you!
Your general itinerary for your time in this magical place.
There may be a few changes here and there, depending on weather usually but we will let you know.
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We will collect you all at Westport Train station at 4pm and whisk you away to Mulranny, about 30 mins drive. After a champagne reception, we will gather for dinner and sharing and get you settled in to your rooms at EOM or DeBrun house.
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The MAC studio will be open from 9am to 8pm and is a short walk from the residence areas Class will be from 9:30am to 4pm.
We will serve lunch at 1pm each studio day at the MAC.
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This day is an all day trip to Achill Island. Lunch will be at a lovely little restaurant (your expense)
Dinner will be served back at EOM.
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Class will be from 9:30am to 4pm.and dinner will be at a lovely little pub in the Village (included)
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We often have a special entertainment on this evening but it depends on availability. We will let you know.
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1⁄2 Studio day and a trip to local attractions including Westport and the Old Irish Goat center. Dinner will be at the Famous Nevins restaurant (your expense).
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1/2 Studio day and finishing up work. Delicious dinner with wine and sharing.
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The bus will take you to Westport train station for a 9:45 departure to Dublin or the Galway bus.
Your home for the week.
This beautiful learning center is complete with well equipped mixed media/encaustic art studio, private bedrooms, a cozy gathering room with fireplace and group kitchen for those midnight snacks!
All meals will be included and prepared by an on-site private chef and will focus on delicious, healthy cuisine. For larger groups we house students in the village, in apartments with spectacular views.
March 22nd - 29th, 2027
COLOR + DESIGN with Mark Eanes
US $4,295 for a private bedroom & bathroom
US $3,995 for a private bedroom/shared bathroom
Included in your retreat:
Workshop instruction
Some supplies (will be specified closer to trip)
7 nights lodging
Transportation from Westport to the Studio (it is recommended to fly into Dublin airport and get a train to Westport where we will meet you to take you to Mulranny).
All meals except - 1 lunches & 1 dinner
All tour & excursion fees
New friends and an art tribe!
Not Included:
Travel costs / Airfare
Passport fees, photos and processing where applicable
Additional nights lodging
Ready to reserve your spot?
A US $500 deposit will secure your place.
It is advisable to have insurance to cover your travel to Ireland and to cover your workshop fees for your possible cancellation in the event of illness. There are no exceptions for this policy. Read the cancellation policy here.
Mark Eanes
$500.00
Nonrefundable deposit of $500. Read the cancellation policy here.
Complete information about the workshop and prices can be found here.