I have a variety of workshops that I am passionate about teaching with the goal of providing students the skills to take their work to the next level.

My process is to educate using scientific principles and facts to understand topics from colour theory, composition, painting water, landscape structure, still life painting or portraiture anatomy.

Each workshop topic can be covered in approximately a three hour block so participants can complete hands on work for a better understanding of the principles. This time also provides students with an opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback.

I paint in oil but all the topics translate into acrylic and watercolor painting as well.

If you or your group are interested in in any of the below workshops, please contact me to discuss cost.

 

Drawing

The world of constant comparison. Learn how to draw objects and scenes correctly the first time through observation and point referencing.

Supplies Needed: Sketch book and pencil,standard painting supplies plus paper and ref photos.

Perspective

What is perspective and how does it work to influences buildings, people and any object in your scene? Instruction will include exactly why humans see perspective but often ignore it when trying to draw objects. Once the student understands what they see and why, drawing perspective becomes second nature.

Supplies Needed: Sketch book and pencil and/or standard painting supplies plus canvas and ref photos.

Composition

Beyond the basics… there are no rules. Using armatures and design to create better paintings.

Supplies Needed: Sketch book and pencil and standard painting supplies plus canvas and ref photos.

Pigment Mixing

Do you know what colour your paints can create? Students learn how to mix the greys they need, shift colour mixtures from warm to cool to capture interest, keeping greens realistic and how to isolate value in colour.

Supplies Needed: A palette knife, brushes, canvas paper or similar, brushes and paint supplies.

Value

Value is KING and colour is its servant. Learn how to see value in colour and understand that you do not have to match the colour in a scene or photo but the value.

Supplies Needed: Reference photos in colour and B&W, canvas or boards, brushes and paint supplies.

Using Shapes

Learn how to break a scene into larger and smaller shapes and why this is important. In addition, students will learn how to  fill these shapes with the corresponding correct value & colour.

Supplies Needed: Photo references, sharpie marker, scissors, canvas or board, brushes and paint supplies.

Large Brushes/Small Canvas

Defining a painting using large and bold brushstrokes to free student from ‘tinkering’ with their work.

Supplies Needed: Reference photos, small canvas or boards, large brushes (no 10 or larger) and paint supplies.

Principles of Landscapes

Reviewing the four large planes of a landscapes that are needed to fully understand outdoor scenes while covering the effects of atmospheric perspective.

Supplies Needed: Standard painting supplies plus canvas and ref photos of landscape scenes.

Water

Looking at the principles of refraction and reflection while learning how to paint water and waves.

Supplies Needed: Standard painting supplies plus canvas and ref photos of water (lake, river or surf).

Snow

The use of homeopathic white to make whites that vibrate with interest.

Supplies Needed: Standard painting supplies plus canvas and ref photos of snow scenes.

Creating the Glow of Object

Making objects appear to glow in your painting.

Supplies Needed: Standard painting supplies, canvas and ref photos items against a darker background.

Transparent Objects

Learning the principles of light reflection and refraction to paint anything transparent from clear to coloured glass.

Supplies Needed: Standard painting supplies plus canvas and ref photos.

Portraits

Using shapes, proportion and the understanding of what is beneath the skin to create better portraits. Learn to create eyes that come to life, why lighting is important and learn techniques that create a better portrait.

Supplies Needed: Standard painting supplies plus canvas and ref photos.

Photographing your Art Work

A comprehensive workshop on the best way to photograph your art for accurate values and colours. Topics covered are cameras, camera settings, software to use and how to use it, colour correcting, saving and archiving.

Supplies Needed: Digital camera and one piece of artwork (no larger than 24″, no frames)