Wednesdays, April 8,  2026 - May 13, 2026 | 6:30PM - 8:30PM
Open to ALL LEVELS ages 16+ 
Instructor: Paul Rienzo 
 
In this class create a photorealistic still-life in acrylics, using innovative tools and techniques.  Bringing objects from home, students create their own subject matter.  Working from a photo, they will create highly realistic work and achieve a higher personal mastery that can be applied to any medium. 6 weeks. All Levels. Up to 10 students.
 
Class Outline:
The instructor will complete 1-2 paintings over the course of the class, bringing the works in progress to each class. The instructor works one on with with students throughout the course. Live painting demos weeks 3-6.

Week 1: After a brief talk on composition, you will compose your still life and take a photo. Students bring objects and work with instructor to capture image that they will use for the duration of the class. (3 hrs). Intermediate and advanced students, or those who plan to paint between classes, should bring items for a more ambitious subject matter. Beginners and those who will only be painting during classes should aim for a simpler subject (1-3 simple objects). We will also expose students to AI tools to edit images.

Week 2: Instructor will bring 8X10 photo and paper prints for transfer for each student. Students will burnish images onto hardboard and seal with matt medium. (2 hrs). There will be a brief talk and demo on Digital Image editing with ChatGPT and Photoshop tools.

Week 3: Color wash board (2 hrs). There will be a brief talk on my favorite paints and tools and a slide show of start to finish progression.

Week 4-6: Detail painting (2 hrs). Talks over these three weeks include overcoming challenges with acrylics, working with a big idea for a body of work, stocking your creativity well, and the History of Still Life.
 
PLEASE SEE INFO SECTIONS FOR IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION