Painting the Still Life

Painting the Still-Life

Instructor Name: Brandon Brownlee

Date: June 20, 2022

Time: 9:30-4:30

Location: Pamela Stockamore Painting Lab

Ages: 15+

Cost: $110

Class Cap: 10

Workshop Description

In this workshop students will walk through the process of recognizing and designing compositions using a large still-life set-up. This workshop will cover the preliminary sketching process as well as the preliminary color study or “poster study” done before a final painting. Geared toward beginners and intermediate/advanced painters, this workshop will introduce color theory, drawing, and both direct (alla prima) and indirect painting methodologies. For advanced painters we will build upon previous knowledge and personal interests.

Required Materials

Still-Life will be set up prior to students arrival. Only painting and drawing supplies will be needed.

Paint

Brand - If you’re using oil I would get the best paint you feel comfortable purchasing. I personally use Gamblin or Winsor and Newton; the quality is good and they also discount their paints if you buy large quanitites. If you’re using acrylic - Golden is a decent brand and isn’t overly expensive.

Warm/Cool Palette - If you have a palette that you prefer or that you typically use, feel free to use that.

• Cadmium red (can substitute for any similar red if you have a preference or want to avoid cadmium)
• Alizarin Crimson
• Yellow Ochre
• Cad yellow pale (can substitute for similar yellow if you have a preference or want to avoid cadmium)
• Cobalt Blue or Cerulean Blue
• Ultramarine Blue
• Ivory Black
• Burnt Umber
• Raw Umber

Medium

• Gamsol odorless mineral spirits. No turpentine - far too strong.
• Please also have a container with a lid; must be sealable to reduce odors.
• Linseed oil can also be used if preferred or if you want to try it.

Brushes

Assorted sizes (range from 2-10). Make sure to have a few brushes on the larger side in order to block in large portions of the painting. If you have a preference in style of brush (round, filbert, flat) feel free to use what you’re most comfortable with; this includes sizes of brush in accordance with what size canvas you choose.

Canvas

• (1) 6”x8” canvas, panel, gessobord, or ACM panel.
• (1) 12”x16, 16”x20”, or 18”x24” canvas, panel, gessobord, or ACM panel - gessoed (before workshop - most come gessoed)
• I would suggest no larger than 18”x24” for a one-day workshop

You can also use your preferred substrate if it’s not on the list above. You can also tone your surface prior to class if you prefer a toned surface.

Other Supplies

• Palette paper
• Palette knife
• Tape
• Pencils - assorted (2H, HB, 2B, 6B)
• Paper Towels
• Sketchbook

Instructor Bio

Brandon Brownlee is an artist living and working in Hartford, Connecticut. He completed an MFA in painting at New York Academy of Art, where he studied figure drawing under Michael Grimaldi and advanced artistic anatomy at Drexel University College of Medicine. He also holds a BFA in Illustration from the Hartford Art School and an AFA in Visual Fine Art from Manchester Community College. Brownlee’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is held in private collections in the United States.

Instructor Website

https://www.bbrownlee.com/