Painting “Painterly” From A Photo Reference Dan Graziano Workshop

Level: All levels, Adults
Limit: 15 students
Instructor: Dan Graziano
Date 1: May 18 & 19, 2024
Date 2: July 27 & 28, 2024
Time: 9am – 4pm
Location: Chester Springs Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $260 Members, $270 Non-members

This two-day studio workshop will focus on painting “alla prima” (all at once) as well as developing greater skills of observation, simplification and quickly painting “wet on wet” to create strong “painterly” paintings. The workshop will also discuss techniques to quickly transfer the important elements of a reference photo to the canvas, creating an artistic painting rather than simply rendering a photograph. The first morning of the workshop begins with a discussion of oil painting basics (from materials to paint handling) and will also address the fundamentals of color, value, edges, perspective and other “practical” elements related to successful painting. Participants will then work on a series of timed painting exercises incorporating the techniques discussed and developing their skills of observation, simplification and quickly working in an “alla prima” manner. Each day of the workshop will include a short painting demo by Dan with explanation of his process along the way with plenty of one-on-one individual instruction throughout the day. This workshop is designed for beginning to advanced painters in both oil and acrylic mediums. Participants are encouraged to bring photos to paint from or may choose from photos brought by the instructor.

CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED SO REGISTER SOON. Participants supply their own art supplies and equipment (easels are provided). Link to Material List is below.

About Dan Graziano

Dan Graziano is an award winning, nationally exhibited artist whose paintings capture the hidden beauty found in the unexpected places and fleeting moments of everyday life. Incorporating dramatic light, shadow, color and perspective, his compositions feature a diversity of subjects—from a simple still life to rugged coastlines, active urban life, lively cafes and bars, small rural towns and forgotten roadside relics. His work has been featured in numerous publications and is in the collections of private and corporate collectors throughout the world.

His artistic vision began taking shape in the 60’s, during America’s explosive political, cultural and artistic awakening. His first formal training focused on advertising and illustration, but a career opportunity in architecture and urban planning altered his original direction.

When he returned to painting, he was drawn to the rich complexity of the urban landscape—inspired by Edward Hopper and other urbanist painters. As an accomplished blues guitarist (his other great passion), he found the city streets, time worn buildings and multiple layers of decay and repair a visual parallel to the spirit and culture of the music.

“In my paintings, I try to capture the hidden beauty found in the unexpected places and fleeting moments of everyday life. I continue to be intrigued by the urban landscapes of inner cities—their active streets, time worn buildings and multiple layers of decay, renewal and adaptation—that proudly display the effects of age and use, which I see as testaments to strength, character and authenticity in contrast with modern society’s demand for newness, imitation, disposability and easy duplication. My work is influenced by the American realists such as Sargent, Hopper and the three generations of Wyeths along with California painters Wayne Thiebaud and Richard Diebenkorn.”

Material List (pdf)