I’m excited to invite you to join me for a one-of-a-kind oil painting workshop at Dillman’s, designed for artists of all levels. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been painting for years, this workshop is going to be a fun and engaging deep dive into what I believe are the three most important aspects of oil painting: Design, Story, and Freshness. Together, we’re going to explore how these three elements can truly elevate your art and help you create more captivating, meaningful work.

Here’s What We’ll Focus On:

• Design: We’ll look at how to create strong, dynamic compositions that really grab the viewer’s attention. We’ll explore how to use value, contrast, balance, and movement to build a design that makes your painting stand out.
• Story: Every painting tells a story, and in this workshop, we’ll focus on how to bring that story out. We’ll use your own photo references—the ones you’ve been dying to paint— or take samples from my photo library, and build narratives that give your work emotional depth. You’ll walk away with paintings that are not just technically strong but also full of life and meaning.
• Freshness: One of the biggest challenges in oil painting is knowing when to stop. We’ll practice techniques that help you maintain energy and vibrancy in your work. No more overworked, muddy results! You’ll learn how to keep things fresh and exciting, so your paintings have that spark.

What Makes This Workshop Different:

I’m going to bring everything I’ve learned over the past 45 years as an artist and as a judge for art shows to help you get the most out of your painting practice. This workshop isn’t about rigid techniques or rules—it’s about having fun with your painting, experimenting, and learning how to get the results you’ve always wanted. I’ll share a ton of tips and tricks that I’ve picked up over the years, and we’ll make sure every stroke you put down has purpose and intent.

Hands-On and Fun:

Here’s what you can expect each day:

• Day 1: Mastering Design – We’ll kick things off by breaking down how to create strong, captivating compositions. You’ll learn how to build your paintings from the ground up, ensuring they have impact right from the start.
• Day 2: Telling Stories Through Paint – This is where we bring your paintings to life. We’ll work on creating emotional connections through your work by focusing on the story behind each scene. Every piece you paint will have a narrative that resonates.
• Day 3: Keeping It Fresh – We’ll spend the day learning how to paint quickly and decisively, experimenting with techniques that will keep your paintings vibrant and full of energy. You’ll leave behind the habit of overworking and start making confident, expressive art.
• Day 4: Putting It All Together – This is where we pull it all together. Whether you love painting small or you’ve always dreamed of going bigger, this day is all about applying everything we’ve covered in a way that feels right for you. You’ll have the chance to work on small pieces or take on larger canvases, and we’ll focus on finishing a piece that truly embodies the skills and techniques you’ve learned throughout the workshop.

Whether you’re looking to refine your technique, discover a new approach, or simply have fun painting in a beautiful setting, this workshop is for you. Let’s dive in together and create some amazing art!