with David Ginsberg and Christine Mitzuk

In imaginative art (be it a posthumous portrait or fantasy art) a photo reference is incredibly useful. Your limitations may be funds, space, or having someone to pose for your project. For example, you need to paint an historical picture but only have static head reference, you need to have someone flying but you can't defy the laws of physics, or maybe you need to paint a special effect.

In this workshop we will design pictures by sketching, exploring what's possible through imagination, and then work with a professional photographer to get excellent photo reference based on those plans. The focus will be on visual storytelling, working through compositions, exploring ways to evoke emotion, a sense of time and place or special effects through light/value design in sketches, and character. We will discuss props and costuming. Working with a professional photographer, we will translate the sketches to get excellent photo reference that you can use to complete your picture in your own time.

You'll gain tips and tricks about how to know what kind and how much reference you need. We will cover pictorial as well as legal considerations, what kind of reference is available to artists, and ways to shoot your own reference by either working with a photographer who has the ideal gear, or using what you have available if you have budget and/or time constraints. Questions welcomed!

The first 3 days we will be at The Atelier for the lecture and sketching/planning the pictures. Students will then have 5 days to gather props, costume pieces, and someone to pose (or they can pose themselves).

The following weekend, we will be at David's photo studio for photoshoots based on students' sketches.

• Lecture at The Atelier: Friday, July 10, 9:00am-12:00pm
• Workshop sketch and planning phase: Friday, July 10, 1:00pm-4:00pm, and Saturday–Sunday, 9:00am–4:00pm
• Photo studio phase: Saturday–Sunday, July 18–19, 9:00am–4:00pm.

with David Ginsberg and Christine Mitzuk

Lecture and demonstration only. See full workshop here.

In this 9-week course, you will complete one or multiple paintings using a photo reference of your choice. We will discuss how to use classical painting techniques and principles to produce quality results in situations when working from life is not possible. Topics will include: selecting reference material, composition, paint handling, color, as well as any questions that you bring to the class! We will also outline strategies for finishing paintings within an established time frame, including the option for faster one- or two-day projects. Students will bring their own painting supplies in oil, acrylic, or gauche, as well as a quality printed reference photo. All experience levels are welcome!