The Still Life in Oil (Online Course)

Instructor(s):
Dale Zinkowski

Mondays 6 PM – 8 PM  ET- please adjust for your time zone
March 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2025
OR
Thursdays 11 AM – 1 PM ET- please adjust for your time zone
March 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 2025

Demo videos distributed a week in advance. Demo videos include over 8 hours of pre-recorded content.
Note: Students will have homework due the first day of class.

8 weeks plus over 8 hours of pre-recorded demos: Tuition $545

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.

Online tech needs:

• The class will be conducted on the Zoom platform and is a live online experience.
• Dale’s classes are recorded and made available so students can review critiques after each live session for the entirety of the class.
• Dale’s 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

Download Materials ListRegister Now for Thursdays 11AM ETSign up to be added to the wait list for Mondays 6PM

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.