Welcome to my workshops in oil painting or soft pastel
In each workshop you will learn key principles of composition, colour and application that will allow you to handle these mediums with confidence. Learn to simplify complex images and build in layers to render accurately and create atmosphere and expression in your paintings.
In-person studio workshops
PAINTING SKIES - in oil
(Please note: In this workshop some previous oil painting experience is beneficial)
This is the first session in a series of landscape workshops that I am developing. My goal in this series is to help artists navigate and organize the complexity of nature so that they can create images that are dynamic and exciting, as well as poetic and engaging.
This workshop will focus on:
- Breaking down the colour/lighting structure of the sky to create depth and distance.
- Simplifying cloud formations.
- How to effectively describe direct bright sunlight and soft indirect lighting.
- How to see, organize, and articulate colour transitions
- How to mix colours from bright and saturated to soft and subtle.
- Discussion on colour temperature.
- Proper brushwork - how to hold your brush and apply the paint so you can keep your colours fresh.
- How and when to use mediums with your paint for proper paint adhesion.
What to expect in our 3 days together:
- A deep dive into colour mixing and how to achieve subtle greys to bright and saturated colours.
- Painting exercises aimed to progressively deepen your understanding of skies in different lighting and cloud conditions.
- Multiple painting demonstrations to clearly show you the whole process of painting skies.
- Group discussions, and individual tutoring to address your own needs.
- Slide show of paintings I think are magical and inspiring.
- Handouts
- A calm working space that is safe for you to ask questions and work at your own pace.
Materials
- Materials are not supplied - you must bring your own. Please see the materials list below.
- Subject sources will be supplied.
LOCATION
My studio at: 100 Crimea Str, Unit C2
Guelph On.
WORKSHOP JUNE 20-22
Friday 11:00am- 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Cost for 3 day workshop:
$425+ HST = $480.00
Critique Day
Critique Day
All artists need community. And we need objective opinions that offer new perspectives to help us reframe and find solutions for our work. Over 15 years of teaching painting, soft pastel and drawing I have consistently observed how engaged and satisfied artists are during one-on-one consultations about their work. Receiving professional and personalized feedback is validating, and it supports development of new ideas, helps to solve problems, and generates new challenges which can open up exciting possibilities.
For these reasons I am offering a studio group critique in my studio on Saturday June 7th from 1pm - 4:30pm. In this small group session, participants are invited to bring in 2 pieces for critique. During the critique I will listen to your intentions, and your needs, and respond with recommendations to help you solve problems and move forward.
My Approach:
“I consider critiquing other people's artwork a privilege. I recognize the growth opportunity as well the vulnerability that one can feel with these discussions. To balance the opportunity and the sensitive nature of a critique, I listen first to the artist's needs and try to deliver suggestions and observations that will align with the artists’ personal goals. I am objective and see critiques as information that will lead to positive changes and provide new challenges, not as a criticism of our efforts or outcomes.
I value the core principles of building a composition and using colour. I see these skills as the artist's tools for communicating to the viewer. I also look for the personal expression that each artist demonstrates and try to encourage the unique style of each artist. In a world that is full of comparisons and “how to” videos, we sometimes lose sight of the impact of our own expression.
In my critiques I look to connect the principles of design and colour with the artist’s true voice so they can see the value in their own approach and create impactful work."
Subjects can be any of following mediums:
- oil painting
- acrylic painting,
- soft pastel
Location
My studio at: 100 Crimea Str, Unit C2
Guelph On.
SATURDAY JUNE 7, 1:00PM - 4:30PM
Maximum of 12 participants
Coffee | Tea | Cookies provided
Cost
$50 (includes hst)/ person
To Register
***Please email to register and also provide the 2 images you would like to bring in for the critique. I will get back to you with further instructions.
Course details and how to register
Additional Information
REGISTRATION
To register please email: jessicamasters02@gmail.com or call 1-519-829-0641 and provide the following information:
- Indicate which session, medium, and date you would like to attend .
- Provide payment: Payment via E-transfer to jessicamasters02@gmail.com
- Payment is due within 48hrs of registration
- Please provide best contact/ information - email and phone number
*Payment in full secures your spot
*If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
CANCELLATION POLICY
I require 15 days notice for any cancellation to receive full refund. For late cancellations, I will do my 'best' to fill your spot and if I can fill it, I will give you a refund.
519-829-0641
Please note: Jessica reserves the right to cancel any class that is under-subscribed and, in such a case, guarantees a full refund of tuition. Jessica is not responsible for travel expenses. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact
testimonials
"Oh my goodness Jessica, you’ve gone above and beyond. These resources are fabulous! Thank you so much for being so incredibly supportive and generous with your time and expertise. You really are one of the greatest instructors I’ve ever had, I can’t thank you enough! I now feel a lot more confident about oil painting." Michelle Purchase
"I want to thank you once again for such a great weekend workshop! I really enjoyed it and learned some great new things...several AHA moments!!!!
You are a very effective instructor! You create a relaxed atmosphere where people feel emotionally safe even when pushed out of their comfort zone. I love your party analogies, they always make me chuckle and drive the point home. You clearly know your stuff; materials, skills, theory! I always learn a lot from you and have fun doing it, so thank you!" Renata Bradshaw
Thank YOU for an awesome weekend! I had an absolutely wonderful time being creative, learning new things and remembering past ones with a great group. I can't thank you enough for waking up my curiosity, my reason why and my desire to paint! Your knowledge, experience, incredible talent and words of wisdom were truly appreciated! Yup! I really had a great time... even tho my brain is still trying to process it all.. lol
I look forward to the adventure ahead of me and I am positive you will see me again".
Liz Turnbull
"Jessica's insight and encouragement helped me discover the bold, painterly style that had been eluding me". Susan Typert
"Jessica is not only a wonderful teacher and artist but she is also the most welcoming host...and that makes her workshops something truly special. I had so much fun while I was learning, I can't wait for the next time. " Andrea Pyman-Varangura
"I attended Jessica Master's July, 2017 workshop held in Thornbury, Ontario, and can very much recommend Ms. Master's approaches to using pastels and teaching. Jessica is a terrifically generous teacher with materials and her demos, and has developed the uncanny ability to work with each participant at the right level. Great planning and execution provided comfortable working spaces. Fit this workshop into your schedule." Catherine
"I really like your teaching style (not too fast) and your friendly, approachable personality made for a very relaxed atmosphere. Your new space is great and I felt sufficiently distanced from the other participants.
All in all, a very positive experience where I felt that I really learned a lot. Colleen
Materials list for oil painters
OIL PAINTING WORKSHOP
Materials List for Skies workshop
Hello Painters!
I am looking forward to working with you!
I have tried to create a list of standard art material that will set you up well for a solid painting practice beyond this workshop. If you are new to painting and you would prefer not to purchase your own materials - you can connect with me and pay an additional $75 to have material supplied in class. Also, if you are a more seasoned painter and want to swap out a few colours for ones you love - knowing they will operate similarly to the ones listed- that's ok too.
Main list of Colours
- Hansa Yellow light
- Cadmium Yellow medium
- Cadmium Orange
- Cadmium Red light
- Permanent Rose
- Cerulean Blue 'Hue' or Phthalo Blue
- French Ultramarine - blue
- Transparent Earth Red (Gamblin) or Burnt Sienna (W&N)
- Dioxazine Purple
- Titanium White
*Note: The brand of paint you use is up to you. In my practice I mostly use Gamblin, Holbein, and Winsor and Newton Artist quality oil paint.
Selection of hog hair oil brushes
Please bring:
- #'s 2,4,6,8,10 In a combination of Rounds, Filberts, Brights (or Long Flats) in hog hair. I recommend Winsor and Newton Hog Hair Brushes.
- I also like to have a small Synthetic details brush #2 in a Bright, Flat and or Round
- (If it's helpful...I favour Rounds in hog hair for my work with skies)
Other materials...
- Disposable GREY palette paper - 12"x16
- Canvas "PAPER" PAD by Strathmore 12"x16" (click link for more info) Please note this is not a pad of canvas- it's a paper that you can paint with oils.
- Blue industrial Paper towel roll (Canadian Tire, Home Depot)
- Disposable gloves
- Travel or table top easel (email me if you need this to be provided - I have a few)
- Apron
- Sketch book, pencil, eraser, ruler
- Black marker
- Plain masking tape (not green or blue)
- Gamblin's Gamsol Odourless Mineral Spirits (***please do not bring any other brand).
- Painting medium- Neo Meglip or Solvent Free Gel by Gamblin (***please do not bring any other brand).
- a small container of Gamblin's cold wax
- palette knife
- 2 sealable jars: 1 for clean solvent and 1 for dirty solvent
- small brayer roller
- Picture Perfect View finder (if possible) (click link for more info)
*My source for all art materials is WYNDHAM ART SUPPLIES in Guelph On. They have great service, will ship, and have a complete list of the materials needed for my workshops on hand to answer any questions.