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3-Day Workshop April 23–25, 2026 - Waynesboro, VA
Color is what separates convincing rockwork from painted concrete. In this hands-on 3-day workshop, I'll share everything I know about coloring naturalistic environments… techniques I've developed over 30 years working on zoos, theme parks, and scenic installations worldwide.
What we'll cover: Color gradation, washes, rustication, naturalistic differences, palette building, paint viscosities, masking, and integral vs. topical color.
Details:
Dates: April 23–25, 2026 · 8am–5pm daily
Location: South River Mill, 200 West 12th St., Waynesboro, VA
Class size: 6 students maximum
Tuition: $1,500 per person (group discounts available)
Includes: All materials, tools, and BBQ lunch daily
All skill levels welcome
Tools and equipment generously provided by our sponsors: Quikspray Inc. & Roseburrough Tool Company
To reserve your spot:
A $750 deposit (50% non-refundable) holds your place. Space is extremely limited.
Questions? Call or email me directly.
+1 (714) 318-3994 / rlw@carve-right.com
Color is not the finishing touch. It is the moment your work either convinces people or it doesn't. Here are just a few of the techniques we will explore together over three days.
A single gradation can communicate age, geological history, and drama. Here, shifting color tells the story of a large rock mass that has cracked and fallen away over time.
Sometimes subtlety is the most powerful tool you have. A well-applied wash unifies a surface and adds quiet depth that makes a piece feel genuinely real.
Even though this is concrete, the coloring tells you it is metal. That is the power of color. It does not just finish a surface, it defines what that surface is.
Nature is never uniform. Every piece of rubble has its own story. Giving each element its own distinctive character is what makes the whole composition feel alive.
Workshop Re-Cap
I had such an amazing time at our workshop last Fall. I enjoyed sharing what I've learned over the last thirty years with young aspiring artists, and I cannot wait to see what they produce in the following years. The pleasure was absolutely mine. I look forward to our next class where we will be fabricating trees and a variety of wood textures. Join our mailing list at the bottom of this page to stay up to date on what we do next! I love to talk shop! I can be reached at rlw@carve-right.com or via phone at +1 (714) 318-3994. Rock on!
I'm very excited to share my knowledge of designing, sculpting, painting, and creating captivating naturalistic environments with you. I enjoy the chaos of nature and the way it creates such beautiful shapes and textures around the world. Rockwork is a medium and industry that is very inspiring to me, and I hope you find my instruction helpful on your journey. (In this photo, Exploring Masada on the edge of the Judean desert overlooking the Dead Sea.)
I have a variety of instructional videos covering all aspects of rockwork and fabrication, from planning to sculpting, painting, and more. Come check out one of my newest videos on sculpting Driftwood Handrails.