In this intensive weekend course, students will complete two to three small oil paintings while exploring a range of techniques for rendering complex surface qualities. Through focused exercises, participants will develop methods for organizing the flowing structure of draped fabric, capturing the intricate patterns of wood grain, and conveying the reflective sheen of metal. The course will also address the challenges of depicting transparency in glass and the subtle, shifting character of water both on surfaces and within vessels such as glasses or vases. This class presents valuable information for painters of all subject matter. Previous drawing and painting experience is strongly recommended.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

During this one-day intensive workshop, Beth shares her unique technique with students. Beth will do a demo and show how she uses photography and simple apps on her phone to simplify forms enhance value and emphasize composition. She will also discuss how to pick objects that make an exciting still life set up. Students are encouraged to use water mixable (soluble) oils to get the most out of the workshop. Beth will have paint for her students to try as well as one of her prepared painting panels, brushes and other supplies for you to use during the workshop. This workshop is for all level of painters.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Beth Bathe
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

This workshop will focus on the problem of combining the genres of still-life and interior painting into a single picture. We will start by addressing the problem of finding a subject and the practical and formal problems of setting up a still life. We will discuss how to organize and simplify complex information, how to have a unified sense of light throughout the picture and how to perceive color and tone relationships. We will also cover aspects of drawing that will help in the creation of a convincing sense of space. Students are welcome to bring their own objects or work with objects on hand at the center.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Peter Van Dyck
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Working from still-life we will develop a vocabulary for clearer color thinking, and skills in seeing and using the subtle color changes in white. Color is a perceptual event: a sensation, not a theory. White, as the brightest and highest value, is the master of all the other colors. How does a painter become a colorist? It is not about using bright colors but about handling nuances and seeing color relationships, especially in the use of whites. Those subtle color changes require heightened sensitivity to all aspects of color; value, harmony and complementary, along with careful observation and response, and understanding how color and light function in both human vision and in paint.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Maggie Siner
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Because drapery captures gravity, weight and movement, it does a great deal of the work in making a convincing dynamic composition. Drapery can be manipulated and altered in ways that bodies can never be and yet define the forms of the body underneath. As it covers it also reveals. Fabric retains the gesture of movement, giving life to static forms. Changes of color on each turning plane are subtle, beautiful, and completely dependent on fabric texture. This gives tactile specificity for the sense of touch. Fabric suggests content, drama. Working from visual perception and studying light relationships we will use both still life and figure to simplify and extract the essentials of form and gesture for a unified and dramatic whole.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Maggie Siner
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553