The Art of Going Big (Online Workshop) Winter 2027 w/ Brian Sindler

February 18 to March 4 (Wednesdays), 1:00 PM to 4:00 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.

Workshop Description

Transforming Small Beginnings into Compelling Large Paintings

Painting larger isn't about making everything bigger—it's about making better decisions.

A large painting offers opportunities that simply aren't possible on a smaller scale. Rather than simply enlarging a painting, we'll explore how to reinterpret and develop an original idea, strengthening the design while preserving the freshness, spontaneity, and spirit that made it compelling.

Over the course of three days, I'll demonstrate one painting from the initial block-in to the final accents, discussing composition, design, paint handling, brushwork, and the many artistic decisions that shape a successful large painting. We'll explore the unique challenges and opportunities of working on a larger canvas and develop practical strategies you can immediately apply to your own work.

Whether you're creating your first large painting or looking to bring greater confidence, impact, and intention to your work, you'll leave with more than a method for painting bigger—you'll leave with a deeper understanding of how to create stronger, more expressive paintings at any scale.

Workshop Outline

Week 1 – The Beginning

We’ll begin by exploring the challenges and opportunities of working on a larger scale. I’ll demonstrate how an initial idea is evaluated, adapted, and developed for a larger canvas.

Topics will include:

Choosing and developing an idea for a large painting

Composition and designing for a larger format

Determining what needs to change when moving from a smaller work to a larger canvas

Establishing proportions, shapes, and major value relationships

Simplifying and organizing the subject

The initial block-in and establishing the foundation of the painting

Maintaining freshness and spontaneity from the beginning

The demonstration will be accompanied by ongoing commentary, discussion, and questions.

Week 2 – The Development

We’ll continue developing the same painting, focusing on the challenges and opportunities that emerge as the painting becomes more fully realized.

Topics will include:

Developing major shapes and forms

Establishing and maintaining a strong value structure

Color relationships and paint mixing

Brushwork and paint handling on a larger surface

Creating variety in edges, shapes, and brushwork

Maintaining unity while developing detail

Recognizing problems and knowing when to adjust or rethink a passage

Keeping the painting connected to the original idea

Students will be able to see how decisions made during the initial block-in affect the painting as it develops.

Week 3 – The Finish

The final day will focus on bringing the painting together while preserving the qualities established in the earlier stages. We’ll look at what a large painting needs in order to feel complete—and what it doesn't need.

Topics will include:

Refining the focal area

Strengthening composition and value relationships

Selective detail and knowing what to leave unresolved

Creating hierarchy through edges, brushwork, and contrast

Making final color and design adjustments

Recognizing when a painting is finished

Avoiding overworking a large painting

Evaluating the decisions that shaped the finished work

The workshop will conclude with the completed demonstration and a discussion of how the principles explored throughout the three days can be applied to paintings of any size.

Throughout the workshop, the emphasis will be on seeing, thinking, and making decisions rather than simply following a set of techniques. Demonstrations will include continuous commentary and open discussion, with questions encouraged throughout each day.

Workshop Materials

Either oil or acrylics are fine but if you are already working in acrylic, I would recommend acrylic because that’s what I’ll be working with.

I use a limited palette,

Cad yellow light,

Pyrole red lt.

Permanent Maroon

phthalo blue (red Shade)

(As a guide I would say 1 yellow, 1 warm and 1 cool red, 1 blue and titanium white.)

Small panels, nothing smaller than 6” x 6” and nothing larger than 11” x 14” or 12” x 12”.

Brushes,

Easel,

Palette knife,

Paper towels,

Mineral spirits for oil or water for water media If using acrylic, I recommend a wet box palette.

Sketch book, micron or ink pen and a brush pen if available.

5 or 6 photo references