Still Life Masterclass: Fluid Realities
Fluid Realities: Designing, Composing and Painting The Still Life
Masterclass Description:
Unlock the potential of painting from life in the studio in this engaging and comprehensive Masterclass.
Dan will guide you through the essential principles of designing and composing compelling still life scenes, while mastering the unique challenges and freedoms that watercolor offers. From capturing the subtleties of light and shadow to creating vibrant, harmonious color schemes, you’ll learn how to turn everyday objects into mesmerizing works of art.
Why Paint Still Life?
By painting from life in the studio, you will gain the same important benefits and experience as in a plein air practice—without having to go outside in the cold or getting bit by mosquitoes!
We’ll be observing directly from life- the light conditions, tonal relationships, true color harmonies, and simplifying the visual focus- This blend of spontaneity from the outdoors and precision from the studio leads to a richer, well rounded and more dynamic painting practice that can be applied to any subject.
Dan will show you how to bring the energy and immediacy of plein air work into a studio practice, offering fresh insights on how to bring your still life compositions to life with that same vibrancy and energy. Whether you’re painting from a bouquet of flowers, a bowl of fruit, or everyday objects, the lessons you learn from seeing from life will help you create more dynamic, engaging still life paintings that feel alive, rather than static. Things you can never learn in a photo.
Key Takeaways:
- Design & Composition: Learn how to thoughtfully arrange objects and create balanced compositions that engage the viewer.
- Watercolor Techniques: Learn to use a full arsenal of watercolor techniques and use wet-on-wet, glazing, and layering to create depth, texture, and control tone..
- Light & Shadow: Understand how light interacts with objects, creating dimension and how to depict this interplay to bring your still life – to life.
- Color Theory: Explore how to combine colors harmoniously and use contrasts to add drama and impact to your paintings.
- Studio vs. Plein Air Approaches: Discover the distinct advantages and challenges of painting still lifes in the controlled environment of the studio versus painting on location (plein air). Dan will compare how both approaches influence composition, lighting, and color choices, providing you with a versatile toolkit for capturing still life in any setting.
- Personal Style: Develop your unique artistic voice as Dan shares his tips on finding inspiration and pushing your creativity beyond the basics.
What to Expect:
This workshop features a combination of discussions on theory, live demonstrations, detailed breakdowns, and exercises including:
- Floral Painting Demo
- Still Life Assemblage and Painting Demo
- Multiple exercises to explore
This Masterclass is designed with the intent that you’ll be inspired and confident to compose and paint still life scenes with a newfound appreciation for this subject in the fluidity and beauty of watercolor!
Sign up today and immerse yourself in the world of watercolor still life with Fluid Realities!
Fluid Realities: Designing, Composing and Painting The Still Life
Masterclass Replay Access Instructions
Previous Masterclasses now Available for Replay
The November Masterclass
Watercolor Shorthand: New Ways to Achieve Looser Paintings
Writing in shorthand is now a lost art. Growing up I remember seeing strange notes on my mother’s desk written in this beautiful, abbreviated script. I’ve come to realize that a big part of my approach & method is very similar in spirit!
Do you want to loosen up in your work but aren’t sure how to even do that?!? Watercolor Shorthand will help you discover a totally new mindset. Featuring exercises designed to get your brain working in new ways, you’ll soon be able to translate any subject without fuss and keep your paintings fresh & loose.
This Masterclass will introduce all new exercises & mindsets to aid in your approach to painting
This Masterclass will feature:
- Drawing in Shorthand (examples and timed draw along exercises)
- Watercolor in Shorthand (examples and timed paint along exercises)
- How to then develop a full painting with this information
- A fully interactive experience
- Ask questions and receive feedback in real time
- Class is live on Zoom
- Recording is available the day after the class with evergreen access
- Masterclass will run approx. 4 hours
This Masterclass will feature some timed work along exercises, Make sure to have your:
- sketchbook and pencil ready – drawing exercises will be approx 4×6 inches
- Watercolor setup ready – painting exercises will be approx 6×8 inches
The class will culminate with Dan doing an 11×14 demonstration painting (not designed as a paint along)