Alla Prima Narrative Still Life (Online Course)
Sandra Sanchez
Sundays, 2 PM – 4 PM ET – please adjust for your timezones
May 11, 18 (no class May 25), June 1, 8, 15, 22, 2025
6 weeks– Tuition $565
Limit: 10 students
Plus approximately 24 hours of recorded demos. Each week’s corresponding demo with a runtime of 3-4 hours is provided a week before each live class.
*Note: first demo sent a week before the live class starts – there is homework due the first class.
Take this class:
- To explore specific genres of still life painting through individual creative decisions.
- To apply the principals of composition and hone still life painting techniques.
- To build an organized practice for painting within a limited timeframe.
- If you have foundational experience painting.
Class format notes:
- 3-4 hours of pre-recorded demos distributed weekly. The first demo is distributed the week before the first live class. There is an assignment due on the first class.
- 2 hour live critiques class.
- Students work on their weekly assignment outside of class time.
Is this class for me?
- Students must have taken a still life painting class at GCA.
- If you possess the fundamental skills of oil painting. Basic painting techniques will not be introduced as this is an advanced class.
- To apply, students must contact Admin using the link below.
How often is this class offered?
- This class is offered once or twice a year.
Online tech needs:
- The class will be conducted on the Zoom platform and is a live online experience.
- The pre-recorded demos will be shared via a private video link on YouTube. YouTube is free but will require an account to view the video.
- Sandra’s classes are recorded and made available so students can review critiques after each live session for the entirety of the class plus an additional thirty days. There are no extensions.
- This class also uses Google Classroom to distribute materials. Watch this video for more insight.
Both of these services are free but require registration. - It will be necessary for students to have access to a computer, tablet or smartphone. The recommended device is a laptop or desktop.
“Sandra has taught me so much, not only about alla prima, but composition, artistic approaches, and how to learn from the masters. She very generously and clearly communicates her wealth of knowledge.” – Christelle
Course Description
Alla Prima Narrative explores key genres of still life painting. Topics include flower bouquets, Bodegones, Vanitas, Pronkstilleven, and Hidden Self-Portraits. Utilizing the narrative potential of each genre students will compose a new set up and complete a painting each week. Students are encouraged to begin with several simple items in straight-forward arrangements. With each painting (and as experience levels increase), students may gradually introduce more complex items into more elaborate arrangements. This class will inspire the confidence and build the skills necessary to produce beautiful paintings in a clear and organized manner.
Throughout the class, Sandra will share masterwork examples inviting questions and casual conversation with participants. Students submit their paintings for weekly individual in-class critiques, which include digital paint-overs in Procreate to show ways to improve in real time. Sandra tailors her feedback to meet each student’s unique needs keeping their end goals in mind. Students will receive a pre-recorded lesson and demo video to watch before working on each week’s topic.
This is an advanced class and requires previous GCA Still Life Painting experience.
Week 1 – Composition
—Discussion of various compositional tools that can be applied to personal Alla Prima Still Life works – Shape variety, value hierarchy, color harmony, etc.
Week 2 – Bouquets
—Applying compositional tools from Week 1, as well as discussing important principles specifically for painting floral pieces.
Week 3 – Bodegones
—Exploring this Spanish sub genre using everyday objects found in your kitchen
Week 4 – Symbolism/Vanitas
—Learning basic meanings behind everyday objects with hidden symbolic meaning, and implementing vanitas elements into your still life piece
Week 5 – Pronkstilleven
—Brief discussion on the history and role of Pronkstilleven paintings in the Dutch Golden Age, and painting a fancy feast display.
Week 6 – Hidden Self Portraits
—Reviewing Dutch still life paintings that contain the artist’s self portrait in a more hidden area (Such as metal or glass), and suggestions on how to create a still life with yourself represented.
Note: The first demo will be distributed the week before the live class begins. There is an assignment due the first day of the live class.