Dynamic Still Life Painting
This class has already started. Please call to register.
No class 2/13. Make-up on 3/26.
Still Life painting offers a world of delight and interest! When we paint what we love, our work is fun and satisfying. This class is for all levels, with a focus on helping beginners get started in oils. Paint directly from observation, using an established still life set up, or bring in your own small objects to study and paint. Learn oil painting basics, palette set-up, brush-cleaning, values, color, composition, and more. There will be an emphasis on small quick studies as a fun way of growing and learning. We will have demos, individual instruction, and group discussion.
Supplies:
If you have experience and a good selection of art supplies already, that’s fine, bring what you have. Otherwise, here are my suggestions:
- Oil Paint Basic Palette:
- Titanium White
- Cadmium Yellow Light
- Yellow Ochre or Raw Sienna
- Cadmium Red Light
- Alizarin Crimson
- Sap Green*
- Viridian*
- Manganese Blue or Cerulean Blue Hue
- Ultramarine Blue
- Burnt Sienna
- Burnt Umber*
- Ivory Black*
- Other colors may be substituted, deleted or added, according to personal taste, especially as you become more experienced.
- *not essential if you’re trying to limit your palette
- Brushes: Generally, an oil painter needs eight to ten brushes, ranging in sizes. It is beneficial to have a combination of soft brushes and stiff brushes. Nylon or Sablette brushes are soft and hog bristle brushes are stiff. I use a variety of brush shapes:
- Flat (long straight tipped
- Bright (short straight tipped)
- Filbert (almond shaped)
- Round (tubular, coming to a tapered point)
- Liner (like a round except very long, & thin (0 to 000) and pliable, for maximum calligraphic effect) Sometimes called a Rigger. Please make sure to get one of these!
- Brush preference is highly individual. Feel free to work with what you already have and like. It is helpful to occasionally try other styles and types of brushes: your needs and preferences will change over time. Cheap brushes are fine to start out with!
- Turpenoid or other low-odor solvent (must be fresh! Do not recycle old solvent for this class.)
- Solvent cup (can be empty glass (jam) jar with lid)
- Small mirror (optional)
- Medium of your choice (Liquin, etc. I use Res-N-Gel or Gamblin Gel Medium)
- Medium cup if needed.
- Oil Painting Palette (disposable is fine. I use a Gray disposable palette in a Masterson Box.)
- Palette knife
- Rags or paper towels
- Sketching/writing Materials
- An apron or smock
- An empty can to hold brushes.
- Sometimes a visor or cap with a brim is useful to help see values.
- Small objects to paint, and a cardboard box to set them up in.
- A small battery-operated light to light your individual set-up.
- Folder to hold class hand-outs.
- Some recommended books for home study: “Daily Painting” by Carol Marine, “Lessons in Classical Painting” by Juliette Aristides, “Alla Prima” by Al Gury, and “Art & Fear” by David Bayles & Ted Orland
