Workshops

A Pencil to Paint course is not simply a set of lessons in technique—it is a disciplined awakening of sight. It begins with the humble pencil, because before one can paint with conviction, one must first learn to see with precision. The course guides artists through the quiet but transformative shift from looking at an object to truly observing it: noticing the subtleties of contour, the gentlest turn of form, the delicate shift in value where light surrenders to shadow.

At its heart, Pencil to Paint is a process—methodical, intentional, and layered. Each layer serves a distinct purpose, much like the careful construction of a building. The first layer establishes structure: proportion, placement, and the underlying geometry that anchors the subject. This is where observation becomes translation, where what is seen begins to take form on paper.

The next layer deepens into value and light. Here, students learn to interpret how illumination reveals dimension—how highlights describe planes, how shadows carve depth, how reflected light softens transitions. Light is no longer incidental; it becomes the architect of form. Through careful shading and tonal mapping, flat shapes begin to breathe and turn in space.

Subsequent layers refine detail with deliberate intention. Texture emerges—whether the softness of fabric, the roughness of bark, or the smooth curve of skin. Edges are considered: some sharpened to command attention, others softened to allow the eye to rest. Each mark is purposeful, contributing not only to accuracy but to atmosphere.

As the course progresses from pencil into paint, the foundational discipline of seeing carries forward. Color is introduced not as decoration, but as structure—temperature shifts defining depth, saturation guiding focus, subtle variations creating realism. Glazing, scumbling, and careful layering of pigment build complexity. Every layer has a role: to clarify, to enhance, to unify.

What makes this process powerful is its specificity. Nothing is arbitrary. Every stage asks a focused question:

• What is the true shape?

• Where is the light strongest?

• How does the form turn?

• Which details serve the whole?

By working patiently through these layers, artists learn that detail is not merely the accumulation of small marks—it is the thoughtful orchestration of structure, value, color, and edge. The result is work that feels alive with nuance and intention. Paintings become rich with depth, clarity, and quiet complexity because they are built, not rushed.

Ultimately, Pencil to Paint teaches more than rendering—it teaches perception. It trains the eye to recognize subtlety and the hand to honor it. Through this layered approach, artists discover that detail is not something added at the end; it is something cultivated step by step, layer by purposeful layer, until the painting resonates with fullness and life.

Pencil to Paint is a eight week course.
Dates for Pencil to Paint for 2026 will be announced as soon as they are available.