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Still-Life Painting in the Sight-Size Method

In this 14-week course, instructor Joe Altwer will guide you through the fundamentals of still-life painting using the sight-size method. You will learn how to set up your workspace and approach painting with accuracy and control. Joe will demonstrate three oil paintings, progressing from simple to more complex arrangements. Subjects will include a single pear and multi-object still-lifes set against both dark and light backgrounds. The course begins with a limited palette and gradually transitions to full color. Along the way, you will develop skills in color mixing, form modeling, and edge control, enabling you to translate the complexity of observed reality onto your canvas.

14 Lessons 54h 48m 22s of videos

In week one, instructor Joe Altwer will introduce the materials needed for the course and demonstrate how to set up a pear for painting from life. You will learn to create an initial drawing using the sight-size method. Joe will explain his limited palette and walk through his approach to color mixing. He will conclude the session by blocking in the major shapes.

Common Questions

Is this course beginner friendly?

Yes! This is a great introduction to still-life painting in the sight-size method.

Are there any assignments in this course?

This course includes downloadable assignment PDFs, that help you practice the materials taught by instructor Joe Altwer. Keeping up with these assignments will maximize your learning outcomes.

What materials do I need to get for this course?

A material PDF list is linked in each lesson under the description. Please check the file to see what you need to prepare.

Can I do this course digitally, using Photoshop or Procreate?

We highly recommend using traditional tools for this course. However, most New Masters Academy courses are designed to be done traditionally or digitally. Software changes constantly, but the fundamentals stay the same. It will be up to you to translate the information that you are learning to your software of choice.