The Still Life in Oil (Online Course)
Dale Zinkowski
April 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24, (no class May 31), June 7, 2027
Mondays, 2 PM – 4 PM ET – please adjust for your timezone
OR
Mondays, 6 PM – 8 PM ET – please adjust for your timezone
Plus over 8 hours of recorded demos. Each week’s corresponding demo is provided a week before each live class session.
There is a homework assignment due the first class.
8 Weeks- Tuition: $575
Limit: 5 students per section. Students receive the critique recordings of the other sections.
Offered Once a Year
Is this class for me?
- Artists should be familiar with oil paint and how it works.
- Some drawing experience, especially in the Academic method, is always useful for painting classes at the GCA.
Class Format Notes:
- Pre-recorded demos are distributed weekly. The first demo is distributed the week before the first live class. Homework is due on the first class.
- 2 hour live critiques class.
- Students work on their weekly assignment outside of class time.
- Every online class is recorded.
- Critiques are only given during the live class time.
- Attendance at every live class isn’t mandatory.
- Absentee students can still submit their work at least 15 minutes before the live class starts and the instructor will critique the work during the class. The critique will then be viewable in the recording.
- Students receive access to the class recording within 24 hours of the class finishing. The recording gets posted into the google classroom.
- Access to the recordings is available for the duration of the class plus an additional 30 days. There are no extensions.
Class Tech Needs:
- The critique portion of the class will be conducted on the Zoom platform and is a live online experience.
- The critique sessions are recorded and made available so students can review critiques after each live session for the entirety of the class.
- The demos are pre-recorded and shared via private links on YouTube. You will need a YouTube account to access the videos and share the email address associated with the account with Admin.
- This class also uses Google Classroom to share resources. Watch this video for more insight.
- All of these services/platforms 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 for the live portion of the classes.
“Dale is an excellent instructor and engages with every student in a meaningful way. I learned so much and his positive attitude is contagious.” – John
Course Description
A great still-life composition is about creating an illusion through careful arrangement of values, color and edges. A still-life painting should convey a story that is carefully narrated by the artist.
In this 8-week class, we will compose and paint a finished still life inspired by the academic tradition. Painting from direct observation, artists will work (virtually) alongside Dale, as he demonstrates a multi-step process used to create his work. The value study, color study, block-in drawing, transfer, underpainting, first pass, and final pass will all be thoroughly demonstrated and explained.
Working from your own still-life set up, you will find straightforward means to getting accurate drawing, values, and color. You will learn how to model form, simulate the effects of light, and create atmospheric space.
All information covered in this class will be fully explained and demonstrated through individual critiques and daily demonstrations.
Artists are encouraged to have their compositions thought out and ready to be discussed on the first day. We will go over each setup individually and talk about some options for the painting.