Landscape Painting Classes 2026: Dates, Schedule, Travel Tips, and Where to Stay

Quick Answer

Landscape Painting Classes 2026 are Monday morning art sessions at Miller Park in Fawnskin, on the north side of Big Bear Lake. Classes run from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and welcome oil, acrylic, and watercolor painters. All skill levels are welcome, although the published event information notes that some previous painting or art-class experience can be helpful.

The 2026 series is scheduled on Mondays through September 28, 2026. As of September 10, the remaining published classes are September 14, September 21, and September 28. The official event listing identifies Miller Park at 1178 Chickasaw, Fawnskin, CA 92333 as the venue and says parking is available at the park. ?cite?turn0search0?turn0search9?

Instructor Marilyn begins sessions with instruction on painting techniques and follows with a demonstration using a reference photo. The classes also introduce basic plein air painting skills. Participants bring their own painting supplies and may register online or contact Big Bear Valley Recreation & Parks District at 909-866-9700. ?cite?turn0search0?

For visitors traveling to the mountains specifically for a class, staying Sunday night can make the 9:00 AM Monday start more enjoyable. A Chalet offers cabins in Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City, providing a local base for a creative weekend before the Monday morning session. ?cite?turn1search0?

Browse A Chalet cabins for a Big Bear painting getaway.

Landscape Painting Classes 2026 at a Glance

What Are the Landscape Painting Classes?

The Landscape Painting Classes are recurring three-hour art sessions designed to help participants develop landscape-painting techniques in a mountain setting. The classes take place at Miller Park in Fawnskin and are taught by an instructor identified in the event information as Marilyn, who paints primarily with oils.

The format combines instruction with demonstration. Each session begins with a short lesson on painting techniques, supported by a handout and potentially a presentation or video. Marilyn then demonstrates a painting using a reference photograph and teaches fundamental plein air painting skills. ?cite?turn0search0?

The classes are not restricted to oil painters. Oil, acrylic, and watercolor painters are welcome, giving participants flexibility to work in the medium they already know or prefer. ?cite?turn0search0?

The event welcomes all skill levels. Complete newcomers should note, however, that the organizer says previous painting or art-class experience can be helpful. That makes the sessions particularly appealing to hobby artists who already understand some basic materials but want more guidance with landscapes and plein air techniques.

When and Where Are the Landscape Painting Classes?

The 2026 Landscape Painting Classes are scheduled on Mondays from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM at Miller Park.

The published season runs through September 28, 2026. With September 7 now past, the remaining classes on the current Visit Big Bear calendar are:

• Monday, September 14, 2026 — 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
• Monday, September 21, 2026 — 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
• Monday, September 28, 2026 — 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Visit Big Bear’s live event calendar confirms the September 14, September 21, and September 28 occurrences. ?cite?turn0search9?turn0search11?

The venue is:

Miller Park
1178 Chickasaw
Fawnskin, CA 92333

San Bernardino County’s official Miller Park venue page independently confirms the 1178 Chickasaw address and lists Landscape Paint programming at the park. ?cite?turn1search3?

What Can Visitors Expect in a Landscape Painting Class?

This is a structured art class rather than simply an informal gathering of painters. The published format includes instruction, demonstration, and practical painting work.

Participants can expect the session to begin with a short lesson about painting techniques. The instructor may use printed materials, a presentation, or video to support the lesson. A demonstration painting based on a reference photograph follows, allowing students to observe how the instructor approaches the subject. ?cite?turn0search0?

The class also introduces basic plein air painting skills. Plein air painting refers to working directly from the outdoor landscape rather than exclusively from photographs or inside a studio.

That connection makes Fawnskin a fitting setting for the program. The north shore of Big Bear Lake places participants in a mountain community surrounded by forest, lake, and changing seasonal scenery—useful inspiration for anyone interested in landscape art.

The exact subject or painting completed during a particular Monday session is not published in advance, so participants should not assume every class follows an identical project.

What Painting Supplies Should You Bring?

Participants are expected to bring their own painting materials. The published supply list is fairly detailed, so preparing before traveling to Big Bear is important.

• A table easel
• An 8×10, 9×12, 11×14, or 12×16 stretched canvas or board panel, or 140-pound watercolor paper
• Oil, acrylic, or watercolor paints
• Odorless solvent such as Gamsol if working in oils
• Warm and cool red
• Warm and cool blue
• Warm and cool yellow
• White and black
• A basic set of flat or filbert brushes, including sizes #2, #4, #6, #8, and #10
• A palette
• Sketching paper or a sketchbook for thumbnail sketches
• A reference photograph of something you would like to paint
• Drawing pencils and an eraser
• Gloves and an apron
• Paper towels

The organizer notes that additional paint colors and brushes are fine if you prefer to use them. Marilyn favors Masterson palettes, but participants may use their preferred palette. ?cite?turn0search0?

Oil painters should pay particular attention to the solvent instruction: the published materials list specifies odorless solvent.

Do You Need Painting Experience?

No specific minimum skill level is published. The classes welcome all levels of skill.

However, the organizer adds that some previous painting or art classes would be helpful. That distinction is useful when deciding whether the class fits your experience.

A first-time painter is not expressly excluded, but someone who already knows how to handle brushes, mix basic colors, and set up their chosen medium may find it easier to focus on the landscape techniques being taught.

If you are completely new to painting and unsure whether the class is appropriate, contact Big Bear Valley Recreation & Parks District at 909-866-9700 before registering.

Registration, Cost, and Class Information

The event information says participants may sign up online or contact Big Bear Valley Recreation & Parks District. ?cite?turn0search0?

A reliable current class fee is not published on the Visit Big Bear page reviewed for this guide, so no price is stated here. Contact the Recreation & Parks District for the current registration cost, availability, and any cancellation or age policies that apply to your chosen date.

This is especially important if you are planning an overnight trip around the class. Confirm your class registration before making the Monday session the centerpiece of your itinerary.

Parking and Getting to Miller Park

The official event listing states that parking is available at Miller Park. ?cite?turn0search0?

Miller Park is located at 1178 Chickasaw in Fawnskin, on the north side of the Big Bear Valley. San Bernardino County’s venue listing confirms the same address. ?cite?turn1search3?

Because class begins at 9:00 AM, allow enough time to park and carry your supplies to the class area before instruction starts. Painting equipment can take longer to unload and organize than gear for a typical indoor activity.

Check mountain road and weather conditions before departure, particularly if you are traveling into Big Bear on Monday morning.

What Else Should You Bring for a Mountain Painting Morning?

In addition to the required art supplies, a few practical items can make the morning more comfortable:

• Water
• Weather-appropriate layers
• Sun protection if part of the session is outdoors
• A bag or container that keeps brushes and supplies organized
• Protection for transporting a wet oil or acrylic painting
• A cloth or additional paper towels for cleanup
• Your registration information

Because the class teaches plein air fundamentals, prepare for the possibility of spending time in outdoor conditions. Mountain weather can change during a three-hour morning session.

If you work in oils, also think ahead about transporting a wet painting back to your cabin or vehicle without damaging it.

How to Make a Creative Weekend of the Landscape Painting Classes

Saturday: Arrive and Find Inspiration

Turn the Monday class into a longer Big Bear art getaway by arriving over the weekend. Spend Saturday settling into your cabin and exploring the valley at an unhurried pace.

If you are bringing a reference photograph for class, the weekend can also give you time to think about the type of landscape you want to paint.

Sunday: Explore Big Bear’s Scenery

Use Sunday for a relaxed scenic day rather than filling every hour with activities. The Big Bear Valley offers lake, forest, mountain, and village environments that can help put you in a creative mindset before Monday’s class.

September 2026 is also the creation period for Big Bear’s third annual Plein Air Art Competition, which runs from September 12 through October 10. Artists participating in that separate competition can potentially build a broader art-focused trip around the valley, although its registration and submission requirements are separate from the Miller Park class.

Return to your cabin Sunday evening and organize your easel, paints, brushes, canvas or paper, reference image, and other supplies so you are ready to leave Monday morning.

Browse A Chalet cabins for a creative Big Bear weekend.

Monday: Paint at Miller Park

Have breakfast early and head toward Fawnskin with enough time to park and unload your materials before the 9:00 AM class.

The session runs until noon. Afterward, carefully pack your artwork—especially if it is still wet—and consider having lunch or spending additional time around Big Bear before leaving the mountains.

For travelers who do not need to return home Monday afternoon, an additional night can remove the pressure to pack up a cabin, attend a three-hour painting class, and immediately begin a long drive on the same day.

Where to Stay for Landscape Painting Classes

The class itself is in Fawnskin. A Chalet’s current destination collection focuses on Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, and Lake Arrowhead. For a Miller Park class, Big Bear Lake or Big Bear City are the relevant choices because they keep you within the broader Big Bear Valley. ?cite?turn1search0?

Couples and solo artists can consider smaller A Chalet properties, while friends attending together may prefer a two- or three-bedroom cabin with more shared space.

Current A Chalet featured listings include Bear Den with one bedroom and one bath; Heavenly Bay Retreat and Maverick’s Cabin with two bedrooms and two baths; Conklin Canopy with three bedrooms and two baths; and larger four-bedroom options including Boulder Landing, Rustic Ridge, and Elevated Escape. ?cite?turn1search0?

For example, Maverick’s Cabin is currently listed in Big Bear City with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Its current property page lists a refrigerator, microwave, washer, dryer, Wi-Fi, and other amenities. ?cite?turn1search4?

A cabin can be particularly practical for an art weekend because it gives you a place to organize supplies, prepare breakfast before class, and relax after several hours of concentrated painting.

Do not assume every cabin has the same workspace, parking, or amenities. Review the live property listing before reserving, especially if you are bringing bulky art equipment.

Check current A Chalet availability for your Landscape Painting Classes trip.

Tips for Booking a Landscape Painting Weekend Cabin

Confirm your class first. The remaining published dates are September 14, September 21, and September 28, but registration availability should be verified with Big Bear Valley Recreation & Parks District.

Consider arriving Sunday at the latest. Staying locally avoids combining a mountain drive with unloading art supplies before a 9:00 AM class.

Pack from the official materials list. This is not a class where you should assume paints, canvases, brushes, or easels will be supplied.

Plan for wet artwork. Bring an appropriate way to transport your finished piece without damaging your vehicle or cabin.

Choose your cabin based on your group. A solo artist may need very little space, while several painters traveling together may value separate bedrooms and room to organize supplies.

Verify property rules before using art materials indoors. Avoid painting, cleaning brushes, or using solvents inside a vacation rental unless the property rules clearly permit what you plan to do. Protect the cabin and handle art materials responsibly.

Leave some unscheduled time. A creative mountain trip works well when you have time to observe the landscape instead of rushing from one activity to another.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Are the Landscape Painting Classes in Big Bear in 2026?

The classes are held on Mondays from 9:00 AM to noon through September 28. As of September 10, the remaining published sessions are September 14, September 21, and September 28, 2026. ?cite?turn0search0?turn0search11?

Where Are the Landscape Painting Classes?

Classes take place at Miller Park, 1178 Chickasaw, Fawnskin, CA 92333. Parking is available at the park. ?cite?turn0search0?turn1search3?

Do I Need Painting Experience?

All skill levels are welcome, although the organizer says some prior painting or art-class experience may be helpful.

Can I Use Watercolor or Acrylic Paint?

Yes. The class welcomes oil, acrylic, and watercolor painters. Instructor Marilyn works in oils, but participants do not have to use the same medium. ?cite?turn0search0?

Do I Need to Bring My Own Art Supplies?

Yes. The published materials list asks participants to bring an easel, painting surface, paints, brushes, palette, sketching materials, reference photograph, pencils, eraser, gloves, apron, paper towels, and other supplies appropriate to their medium. ?cite?turn0search0?

How Do I Register?

The event information says participants may sign up online or contact Big Bear Valley Recreation & Parks District at 909-866-9700. Confirm the current fee and availability when registering. ?cite?turn0search0?

Where Should I Stay for the Landscape Painting Classes?

Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City are the most relevant A Chalet destinations for a class at Miller Park in Fawnskin. Staying Sunday night gives you a local base before the 9:00 AM Monday session and avoids starting your painting day with a long drive into the mountains. ?cite?turn1search0?

Browse A Chalet cabins for your Big Bear art getaway.

Plan Your Landscape Painting Classes 2026 Getaway With A Chalet

Landscape Painting Classes Big Bear 2026 offer artists a relaxed Monday morning devoted to technique, demonstration, and the fundamentals of plein air painting. The three-hour sessions at Miller Park welcome oil, acrylic, and watercolor painters and are suitable for a range of experience levels.

As of September 10, three classes remain on the published calendar: September 14, September 21, and September 28, each from 9:00 AM to noon. Bring your own easel, painting surface, paints, brushes, palette, reference photograph, and other required materials, and confirm registration with Big Bear Valley Recreation & Parks District before making the trip. ?cite?turn0search0?turn0search11?

For visitors coming from outside the mountains, an overnight stay can turn a Monday art class into a more complete creative escape. Arrive over the weekend, explore the Big Bear Valley for inspiration, organize your painting supplies Sunday evening, and wake up locally for the morning session in Fawnskin.

Browse A Chalet cabins and plan your Landscape Painting Classes 2026 getaway.