The Poster Study – Still Life (Online Course)
Dale Zinkowski
Students attend weekly during their registered 2 hour group critique slot with Dale but will receive access to all of the class critique recordings plus over 12 hours of demos.
Mondays 12 PM – 2 PM ET: May 5, 12, (no class May 19th), May 26, June 2, 9, 16, 2025
OR
Mondays 3 PM – 5 PM ET: May 5, 12, (no class May 19th), May 26, June 2, 9, 16, 2025
OR
Mondays 6 PM – 8 PM ET: May 5, 12, (no class May 19th), May 26, June 2, 9, 16, 2025
6 weeks
Tuition $515
*Plus approximately 12 hours of recorded demos. Access provided a week before each live class session. There is an assignment due the first class.
Limit: 5-6 students per section. These are smaller critique groups with more time to critique each student.
Take this class:
- to learn color and value shape organizational strategies.
- to learn the fundamental skill of utilizing the study to inform a long form painting.
- to gain the skills necessary to simplify a complex image.
Class format notes:
- 1-2 hours of pre-recorded demos 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.
Is this class for me?
- Artists should be familiar with oil paint and how it works.
Online tech needs:
- The class will be conducted on the Zoom platform and is a live online experience.
- The class is recorded so students can review demos and critiques for two weeks after each live session.
- This class also uses Google Classroom to distribute materials. Watch this video for more insight.
- This demos will be shared via a private video link on YouTube. YouTube is free but will require an account to view the video.
- All 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.
“Dale is a gifted artist and teacher in so many ways. Not only does he have command of the technical aspects of art making – but he also demonstrates the human side of what it takes to be a great artist. He is sensitive to the needs of all of his students, he is warm, friendly, welcoming and is always inclusive. He even acknowledges the “fuzzy friends” in the room as it is clear that Dale is an animal lover. From a technical aspect, Dale is extremely knowledgeable about materials, process, art history – this is evident when one observes his “masterful work”.” – Alexandrea
Course Description
The key to any composition is the arrangement of value patterns, value relationships, and color. Through repetition we can train a sensitivity to the shape distribution of the larger composition. In this 6-week online class students will paint a progression of value and color studies working with a different still life setup each week. The class will carefully examine and discuss ways of compressing the infinite range of value and color that nature provides, so that we can best represent it with oil paint.
Each week students will receive a two-hour demo in which Dale will first demonstrate the lesson working study from life. Students will then have the week to complete the assignment, and then meet over zoom for individual critiques. Once the six week class is complete, students will have six different sets of preparatory studies in which they can develop into finished paintings on their own.
Note: Artists receive a pre-recorded demo the week before their first live class. There is an assignment due for the first live class. Artists will receive access to all the class recordings and not just their own critique session.
The following is the week to week outline of topics:
Week 1: The Method
Breaking down the tiling method, where to start, and how to progress. Paint one value study.
Week 2: Value to Color
Building on week 1, artists will work with both value and color studies.
Week 3: Keying a Painting
Definition of keying. Produce two value studies using different keys.
Week 4: Highlight – Accent
Value study 1 begins with the Highlight. Value study 2 begins from the Accent (absolute darkest dark).
Week 5: Chroma
Pick two or three highly saturated objects and make both a value study and color study based on your setup. The goal is to try and see value through high chroma, which could sometimes make things seem lighter than they actually are.
Week 6: Colored “Neutrals”
Explore how using a string of color can influence the feeling of a painting. Make a color poster study but you must utilize a small amount of the neutral in every single paint shape that you place. Pre-mixing of piles is also a must for this one.