Still-Life Painting in the Sight-Size Method

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.

In week two, instructor Joe Altwer will continue the pear still-life. He will premix colors and explain how to examine the painting carefully before adjusting shapes, values, and colors. You will learn how to model form and refine detail to bring the pear to completion.

In week three, instructor Joe Altwer will demonstrate how to set up a still-life in a shadow box with non-reflective objects. He will arrange the composition against a dark background before creating a value study in preparation for painting. Joe will finish by choosing a crop for the study to carry forward.

In week four, instructor Joe Altwer will show you how to create a color study for your still-life. You will practice premixing colors, blocking in, and making refinements. Joe will then begin the final painting with a charcoal contour drawing before filling in the shadow mass.

In week five, instructor Joe Altwer will begin his still-life painting of non-reflective objects against a dark background. You will focus on blocking in the background and dark masses. Joe will then define major shapes and slowly build the values of the painting.

In week six, instructor Joe Altwer will continue his still-life of non-reflective objects against a dark background. You will learn to reestablish values and adjust shapes for further development. Joe will work to unify the painting by bringing all areas to a similar level of resolve.

In week seven, instructor Joe Altwer will show how to create a focal point within the still-life. You will continue developing the composition, emphasizing visual hierarchy. Joe will concentrate on the bread and cloth, rendering detail with increasing refinement.

In week eight, instructor Joe Altwer will complete the still-life of non-reflective objects against a dark background. Joe will then reassess the composition and add final refinements. You will learn how to use edges to enhance visual interest and complete the painting.

In week nine, instructor Joe Altwer will guide you through setting up a complex still-life with reflective objects against a light background. You will complete a preliminary value study to prepare for a final painting. Joe will then choose a crop for the study to carry forward.

In week ten, instructor Joe Altwer will create a color study for the reflective object still-life against a light background. You will practice premixing colors and blocking in. Joe will then begin laying in the initial drawing of the final painting, starting with the contours before filling in the shadow mass.

In week eleven, instructor Joe Altwer will continue the still-life painting of reflective objects against a light background. You’ll focus on the blocking-in stage, starting with the background and dark masses. Joe will then spend time developing the forms and values of the painting.

In week twelve, instructor Joe Altwer will develop the reflective object still-life against a light background. He will demonstrate how to create perspective depth within the painting by unifying values and simplifying forms. Joe will use shape simplification to push the mixing bowl back in space while bringing the lemons and eggshells forward with further refinement.

In week thirteen, instructor Joe Altwer will focus on the importance of edge quality in painting. He will continue the still-life of reflective objects against a light background, demonstrating how to apply soft and sharp edges to different surfaces. You will also learn how to describe complex textures, such as flour.

In week fourteen, instructor Joe Altwer will complete the still-life of reflective objects against a light background. He will make final adjustments to values and color, bringing the painting to a resolved finish.