Today I received a request for what my painting classes are like, and here is my reply:

In the painting classes I teach, both in my studio and on Zoom, we paint from still-lifes and photographs, including the human figure. The emphasis is on learning to see the shapes that make up the subject, whatever it is, how those shapes contain value, rhythm and color, and how to put them all together.

Generally this brings it all under the umbrella of realism, but not always. Once you can recognize shapes and forms, it’s easier to emphasize the important characteristics and to make sure the other elements support the primary subject. I encourage using an image for a starting point, but then being able to let your imagination and individual style and preferences guide you in creating something that’s fun to make and that you’re happy to look at when you’re done.

We’ll work on each subject for one or two weeks, then move to a new one. I will demonstrate how to begin each painting with a value sketch, blocking in the strongest values and shapes, and choosing and mixing colors. In the process I’ll discuss the drawing, building 3-D forms from 2-D shapes, how to bring objects closer or further away, the rules for composition and design, which brushes to use and why, and whatever pops into my head that I think is useful or to answer what questions you may have.

I think about covers it, but if anyone has more questions I’d be happy to try to engage in further dialogue.