Oil Painting: Still Life and Portraits

Coming October 2009

The Quinlan is privileged to be hosting another workshop with modern master, Sherrie McGraw. Coming to us from Taos, New Mexico, McGraw will be teaching oil painting still life and portraits.

"Learning to paint-- no matter what the subject matter happens to be -- is the same for every subject. And although the commercial element is always quick to create a problem and then sell the solution, learning to paint is remarkably simple. Although it is not easy, it is simple.  However, human nature tends to compartmentalize and complicate and that is why the "how-to" mentality thrives. As humans, we respond to work that resonates with something inside ourselves already, as appreciation is the first step to dong it  oneself. Find the work that speaks to what you want to do, and the rest will follow. This class will deal with the elements that makes good painting good, regardless of subject matter. Good painting uses the abstract elements available in the visual language of painting (color, value, edges and paint quality) to play out parts in an abstract visual concept. Understanding why certain solutions work and why others don't is how the student can successfully learn to paint well. There will be class demonstrations and individual critiques. All levels of experience are welcome." - Sherrie McGraw

McGraw's art education began at the Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts and continued at the Art Students League in New York, where she studied under David A. Leffel. She is the author of The Language of Drawing: From an Artist's Viewpoint; a master draftsman and eloquent teacher, she will guide workshop participants in rendering still life and the human figure in oil.

For Sherrie McGraw's Oil Painting supply list, click HERE.

For Sherrie McGraw's Figure Drawing supply list, click HERE .

Click HERE to access Sherrie McGraw's website.