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A Sargent-Inspired Approach to Portraiture (Online Workshop) Summer 2026 w/ James Otto Allen
May 27 to June 10 (Wednesdays), 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Eastern Time
**All sessions are live and will be recorded, students do not have to be present. All recordings will be available to students for 3 months after the final session, after 3 months the recording will be deleted.
Please check your email spam/junk folder for your Zoom invite. Our business hours are 10:00 AM through 5:00 PM. All course information and email correspondence will be sent during business hours. If students purchase a course, workshop, demo or recording outside business hours or during the weekend the course information or recording will be sent the following business day.
DEMO:
Workshop Description
This three-week workshop introduces a direct, observational approach to oil painting inspired by artists such as John Singer Sargent. The emphasis is on fundamental skills - seeing large shapes, organizing values, and confident brushwork - that apply to painters at all levels. Beginners will gain a clear structure for starting and developing a painting, while more experienced students will refine clarity, economy, and control. The workshop focuses on practical methods that can be adapted to each student’s current level.
Workshop Outline
Week 1 – Foundations of Direct Painting
Understanding the subject as a flat arrangement of shapes and values. Establishing proportion and a confident block-in while avoiding over-detail. Emphasis on clarity and simplicity appropriate to each student’s experience level.
Week 2 – Developing Form, Color, and Edges
Developing value relationships and colour temperature. Students focus on building structure and interest without overworking, adjusting complexity based on skill level.
Week 3 – Refinement, Accents, and Evaluation
Learning how to selectively refine, place accents, and unify the painting. Emphasis on decision-making, knowing when to stop, and evaluating work constructively at different stages of development.
Workshop Materials
An Easel (preferably an H-Frame easel)
Palette (wood, glass, or disposable)
Assorted bristle or synthetic brushes
Optional: Liquin
Oil painting surface (A3 sized oil-primed paper, canvas, or panel)
Oil paints (limited palette recommended: titanium white, yellow cadmium, raw sienna, burnt sienna, rose madder or alizarin crimson, cadmium red, raw umber, ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, ivory black)
Odorless mineral spirits
2 flexible Palette knives
Rag or paper towels
May 27 to June 10 (Wednesdays), 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Eastern Time
**All sessions are live and will be recorded, students do not have to be present. All recordings will be available to students for 3 months after the final session, after 3 months the recording will be deleted.
Please check your email spam/junk folder for your Zoom invite. Our business hours are 10:00 AM through 5:00 PM. All course information and email correspondence will be sent during business hours. If students purchase a course, workshop, demo or recording outside business hours or during the weekend the course information or recording will be sent the following business day.
DEMO:
Workshop Description
This three-week workshop introduces a direct, observational approach to oil painting inspired by artists such as John Singer Sargent. The emphasis is on fundamental skills - seeing large shapes, organizing values, and confident brushwork - that apply to painters at all levels. Beginners will gain a clear structure for starting and developing a painting, while more experienced students will refine clarity, economy, and control. The workshop focuses on practical methods that can be adapted to each student’s current level.
Workshop Outline
Week 1 – Foundations of Direct Painting
Understanding the subject as a flat arrangement of shapes and values. Establishing proportion and a confident block-in while avoiding over-detail. Emphasis on clarity and simplicity appropriate to each student’s experience level.
Week 2 – Developing Form, Color, and Edges
Developing value relationships and colour temperature. Students focus on building structure and interest without overworking, adjusting complexity based on skill level.
Week 3 – Refinement, Accents, and Evaluation
Learning how to selectively refine, place accents, and unify the painting. Emphasis on decision-making, knowing when to stop, and evaluating work constructively at different stages of development.
Workshop Materials
An Easel (preferably an H-Frame easel)
Palette (wood, glass, or disposable)
Assorted bristle or synthetic brushes
Optional: Liquin
Oil painting surface (A3 sized oil-primed paper, canvas, or panel)
Oil paints (limited palette recommended: titanium white, yellow cadmium, raw sienna, burnt sienna, rose madder or alizarin crimson, cadmium red, raw umber, ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, ivory black)
Odorless mineral spirits
2 flexible Palette knives
Rag or paper towels