For Painters of All Levels
Date: Friday, Sept 2 - Sun, Sept 4 2022
Times: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Cost: $475
Workshop description
Paint looser and more confidently during this three-day workshop with Oregon artist Sarah Sedwick! Take a step-by-step approach to alla prima oil painting, from black-and-white studies to brilliant color. Build a beautiful composition with life and movement, get a new perspective on the still life, and learn tips for bringing inspiration to your home studio practice.
You’ll learn the fundamentals of good design, creating sketches and value studies to plan a composition that works. Using a split-primary palette as your color foundation - two reds, two yellows, and two blues - you’ll do quick, fun exercises to focus on loosening up your brushwork before creating a finished piece.
Sarah will demonstrate, and work with each student individually. Instruction is in oils, and acrylics are welcome - particularly Open acrylics, that stay wet longer.
Class size limited to 12 students. All levels welcome, age 15 and above.
Supply List
Palette - New Wave 11x16” white pad disposable palette, or similar
Palette knife – not a teeny one. You want to be able to scoop up a pile of paint with it. I like the RGM softgrip no. 45 (blue handle)
Rags or paper towels (blue shop towels are the best!)
Solvent: Gamsol
Medium: walnut oil or Gamblin Solvent-Free Gel
Can, jar, or other container for solvent
Paint - I use M. Graham brand. Here is my split-primary palette. Substitutions are ok!
Titanium white
Alizarin Crimson,
Cadmium red (medium or light)
Ultramarine Blue
Pthalo blue or Viridian
Cadmium yellow (medium)
Hansa yellow
Ivory black
Optional colors: yellow ochre, dioxazine purple
Viewfinder - I like the ViewCatcher by The Color Wheel brand.
Brushes - I use Princeton Summit Series 6100 white Taklon, Rosemary Evergreen flats, and Rosemary Ultimate bristles, but please use what you’re comfortable with. A good starter kit is a #2 round and a #4 flat.
Canvases or other painting surfaces:
Two 12x16” canvases or canvas boards, or a pad of canvas paper, or Arches oil paper
Both a square canvas and a rectangular canvas or panel - any size you’d like to work on for about 3 hours. You’ll need at least 2. 8x8, 10x10, 8x10, 9x12 or larger. I use Raymar - their Arches oil paper panels, and their smooth texture canvas panels.
Bringing a couple of extra canvases can be helpful.
Easel and side table A standing travel easel. (A french easel or plein air easel) *Some studios have easels for student use, but bring your own if you prefer.
Pencil, sketchbook, black sharpie, masking tape
To view these products, and more of my favorites, visit my Amazon list: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sedwickstudio
About the Instructor:
Sarah Sedwick is a prolific painter of still lifes inspired by color combinations and dynamic composition. All are painted from life.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Sarah earned a BFA in Illustration from The Maryland Institute, College of Art in 2001.
Based in Oregon, she has been teaching workshops on alla prima still life and portrait since 2013, and also mentors artists privately online.
Her teaching philosophy is simple: the more you paint, the more you improve - so removing the blocks that keep us from the canvas is key. Loosen up, let go of perfectionism, and watch the results unfold!
Instagram is a great way to follow Sarah’s work!