Overview
Cobalt Studios offers a variety of specialized Seminars taught by Cobalt and guest artists/instructors (and industry legends!). These 1-5 day Pro Seminars are great professional development opportunities for scenic artists and instructors alike.
If you’re looking to broaden your knowledge and skills, join us for these informative, hands-on seminars. These programs are a part of the 2-Year SATP Curriculum and can accommodate additional enrollees of all levels. Participants will receive lots of individual attention.
*NOTE: These seminars do require a basic knowledge of scenic tools and techniques, the ability to draw, and to accurately mix color. Without these, you will still learn, but you may not necessarily be successful in your project.
If your schedule conflicts with these seminars and you are unable to attend, consider our Advanced Independent Studies for which you create a custom-made session that addresses your interests and fits in your schedule.
Cobalt Studios maintains a racially and sexually non-discriminating policy and a willingness to accommodate accessibility needs within the realistic physical expectations of our industry.
Specifics
For Dates and Instructors, see individual seminars below
Costs
- Deposit*: $150
*Note: Your deposit is ultimately included in the tuition cost and is credited toward the total of fees due. - Tuition*: (tools & materials included)
- 1-Day Seminar: $165 / 2-Day Seminar: $330/ 3-Day Seminar: $495 / 4-Day Seminar: $660 / 5-Day Seminar: $825
- Room and Board is included.
- Enrollment Max: 9*
- Deadline: Space is limited, so plan ahead and call early!
*Except for the Anti-Freakout Job Roundtable weekend. See below.
Application
None.
Registration
To register for a Seminar, fill out the Sign Up Form. Please register as soon as possible because class sizes are small.
If you would prefer to send a check, make it payable to Cobalt Studios, Inc. and mail it to us at PO Box 79, White Lake, NY 12786.
Questions? Give us a call at (845) 583-7025.
Deposits are fully refunded if seminars are full or cancelled. Unused Deposits can also be credited to an alternate Seminar.
Curriculum
All seminars are incredibly informative, workshop-style classes. This list is chronological to the current Academic Year.
Check back regularly for updated schedules and information.
Please visit the Instructors Page to learn more about the fabulous Instructors hosting each Seminar.
Using Pneumatic Sprayers for Scenic Artwork
Spring 2025
April 14 – 18
FIVE DAYS: $825
Pneumatic sprayers, cup guns, detail sprayers…Clouds, skies, quick gradations…they all have their ups and downs! With projects up on the wall and down on the floor, this seminar helps participants get familiar with the sprayer in any orientation. Sandy has lots of tips and tricks for making friends with your sprayers and helping those projects move smoothly. Read More
Film and TV Series: Intro to Rust and Aging Techniques
Spring 2025
APRIL 12-13
2 DAYS: $330
This is an information packed, playful workshop where you will learn how to safely use a number of techniques and chemicals that one might encounter working on a film set. Taught by USA829 member, Helen McCarthy, who has 20 years of experience working in immersive/installation art, theatre, film, corporate, and commercial capacities. They bring an enthusiastic delight to decay and grunge. Read More
Film and TV Series: The Basics
Spring 2025
MARCH 29
1 DAY: $165
The Who, What, & When, presented with lots of Show N’ Tell in a one day whirlwind! Lots of valuable information culled from years of experience by Rebecca Perrenod, USA829 Charge of Sex and the City and Just Like That. Arrive the night before for an early start!
/FFilmFilm & TV Series: Interior Grade Woodgrain
Spring 2025
APRIL 1 – 4
FOUR DAYS: $660
Sign up and join Sean’s inaugural seminar at Cobalt, though he has been teaching around the world for almost 30 years! A Master Professional Decorative Painter, and Member 829, International Salon of Decorative Painters, and IUPAT. Read More
Hard Scenery: Materials, Methods and Touchups
Spring 2025
APRIL 22-25
FOUR DAYS: $660
This workshop gives you the low down on contemporary materials and techniques for hard scenery – teaching you the lingo and product knowledge that will help make you more useful in any shop. Activities in this Seminar include an exploration of substrates, paints, and textures, going over game plans to get your scenery painted, aged, and safely from shop to theater. Read More
Historical Scene Painting: Techniques with dry pigment
Spring 2025
MAY 4 – 9
FIVE DAYS: $825
Instructor: Alan Bryson
Come discover the amazing historical scene painting process and historical approach to scenic art. Historical scene painting techniques are extremely efficient, and save time during the painting process. The brush strokes and placement of color allow massive drops to be created in a relatively short period of time–a day or two. Â Read More
Foliage Painting I: Photo-real Foliage painting Techniques
FALL 2025
Dates TBD
FIVE DAYS: $825
Commune with nature on the Cobalt grounds and master the techniques of rendering foliage photo-realistically! This seminar provides a fresh approach to looking at and painting trees and leaves. Special attention is given to reproducing realistic colors and textures. Learn how to use appropriate contrast, scale and perspective to add depth to your tree-scapes. Â Read More
ALL ABOUT FOAM
FALL 2025
Dates TBD
FOUR DAYS: $660
This seminar covers the subject of flexible and rigid foams used in the entertainment industry. A thorough presentation of various types of coatings, tools and paints used will inform you as to the use of these foams: how to attach, form, protect and paint them. This hands-on workshop includes PLENTY of product information, safety practices and finished pieces for you to take home. A FOAM LOT OF FUN!
Sign Painting: The Art of Lettering for Film and Theatre
FALL 2025
Dates TBD
FIVE DAYS: $825
This in-depth seminar addresses traditional sign materials, tools, alphabets & lettering techniques. We will then swing over to theatrical tricks, tools and materials. You will be guided from the initial layout through to a finished sign as you work at your own 4′ x 8′ easel. Transforming your timidity to confidence, you’ll be ready to paint the town!
Film and TV Series: Faux Marble
FALL 2025
December 14 – 18
FIVE DAYS: $825
After a thorough introduction to the world of decorative finishes, Rachel Keebler guides you through the magical process of marbling (using primarily Beer glazes). Learn to let the Marble flow out of your hand! You will use the tools and procedures she shows you to make many quick, beautiful and sophisticated samples. Note: good drawing skills will be critical to your success.
Furnishing Your Backdrop
Spring 2026
Dates TBD
FIVE DAYS: $825
Legendary Instructor and Co-Author of the textbook “Scenic Art for the Theatre” Susan Crabtree shares her innovative techniques for rendering not only furniture onto backdrops, but infusing them with depth and light. Come learn the shortcuts which Susan uses for quick project turnarounds and accurate artistic representations.
**This course is also available as an Independent Study Course**
Stage Floors and the Scenic Artist
SPRING 2026
Dates TBD
FOUR DAYS: $660
Explore all there is to learn about stage floor surfaces! Jenny will share her wealth of knowledge, information, and problem solving techniques. She is a firm believer that practice and adaptability are essential for any artist. Under her direction, you will ingest LOTS of product info, make full scale samples, poke and prod, dance your way across the stage floor in this very hands on seminar.
Film and TV Series: 3D Textures
FALL 2026
Dates TBD
Three DAYS: $495
Emily Yoder is SO EXCITED to show you all she has been doing on the West Coast, and turn you on to the materials, tools, and techniques being used in the industry today.
Create samples of aged stucco, concrete, plaster, slate, and learn the ways texture can be applied (including through stencils) to create patterns for stone walls, walkways, and more. Â Read More
Painting Translucent Backdrops
SPRING 2027
Dates TBD
Five Days: $825
How to create those magical translucent backdrops that scenic and lighting designers love for their luminosity and transformational abilities.
Rachel Keebler demystifies the process and guides you through the testing and painting processes that result in a finished project of your own. Read More
Perspective for Scenic Artists II
Fall 2027
Dates TBD
Four Days: $660
The seminar will begin with a review of some typical elements of perspective drawing for the scenic artist. I make that distinction because we will not be developing drop point perspective from a ground plan as a designer might, but rather, analyze and develop the perspective of a backdrop for large scale drawing as the foundation for painting. Read More
Foliage Painting II:
Brushwork…You and the Artists
Spring 2027
Dates TBD
FIVE DAYS: $825
Rachel presents the brushwork styles used in Historical Theatre-style Foliage as part of this busy seminar which focuses on being able to follow any artists’ style as they are used in theatrical and mural applications. Your confidence will grow as you are painting beautiful examples. Foliage I is not a prerequisite.
Painting on Scrims
Spring 2025
Dates TBDÂ
5 DAYS: $825
Instructor: Rachel Keebler
A backdrop of another sort! Rachel is opening up this complex subject to you as a seminar – drawn from her many years of both painting scrims and teaching about them. After you hear all about them, you will accomplish an approximately 8′ square project to take home! Experience Drawing, mixing colors and using standard scenic tools will certainly help ensure your success.
Antifreakout Job Market Round-table
SPRING 2025
Dates TBD
(Friday Evening – Saturday All Day – Sunday Morning)
1 1/2 DAYS: NO FEE*
*Please bring $25 cash to toss in the Bean Pot.
Call ahead to sign up and reserve a bed or a couch.
Roundtable Host: Rachel Keebler, et al Read More
