Drawing the Floral Still Life One-Day Workshop

Explore still life drawing from direct observation using a composed arrangement of flowers and other objects. Sunday, January 24th from 9:00AM-4:00PM Using pencil and charcoal, students will begin with observational sketches before developing a longer drawing through a structured process that emphasizes composition, proportion, simplified shapes, negative space, value, light, and spatial relationships. Instructor demonstrations and individual feedback will guide students in moving from large, simplified forms toward greater refinement while maintaining a sense of freshness and unity in the drawing. A simple watercolor wash will also be introduced as an optional way to reinforce value, add subtle color, and enhance the overall atmosphere of the finished work. $125 workshop fee does not include materials. A supply list with recommended materials can be found below the instructor bio. 6-hour Workshop Cost - Non-members: $125 / Members: $100 NOTE: Eventbrite charges non-refundable processing fees for online payments and now displays these fees in the total ticket price shown on this event listing. We will have an hour break for lunch midday. The studio will be closed during this break, but there are nearby parks where you can eat lunch if you brought your own, or you can check out one of the local restaurants in the area. About the instructor: Kat Gifford is a Maine artist based in Westbrook. She has been a professional artist for almost two decades. Kat's work is based around oil paints, drawing, digital painting and animation. Her work can be described as expressive realism using the figure, portrait, still life and motion. She loves teaching drawing and painting because it allows her to talk about the process and procedure of both her own work and that of the many contemporary and old master artists that inspire her. You can view her work at www.kgifford.com. Drawing the Floral Still Life - Materials list -Drawing paper: small sketchbook of your choosing at least 5x7”, Strathmore 400 series drawing paper 11x14” or larger, Strathmore 400 series Toned paper tan or grey 11x14” or larger -Charcoal: willow charcoal sticks, Nitram Acadamie Fusain Charcoal (hardness B, the green package), white charcoal (Generals or any other brand will work) -Graphite pencils: Any brand (I prefer Derwin, Staedtler, Faber-castell) hardness HB, B, and 2B -Erasures: plastic/gum erasure and a kneaded erasure -Watercolors/ink (optional): basic watercolor set, any brand (preferably non student grade) -Tortillion (blending stump) (optional): small to large size Any questions about materials (ie., alternatives etc.) please reach out to the instructor. Click here to view Artascope's cancellation policy. Workshop Structure: Introduction & Composition: Materials, drawing setup, and the fundamentals of working from direct observation, including how to arrange and simplify a still life through shape, proportion, negative space, value, and light. Observational Sketching & Block-In: Students will use quick sketches to explore composition, placement, and the relationships between flowers and surrounding objects before watching an instructor demonstration on establishing the drawing with large shapes and simple structural relationships. Drawing & Development: Students will begin their own still life drawings with individual feedback throughout. An instructor demonstration will address value, form, edges, line variation, spatial depth, and how to develop focal areas without overworking the entire drawing. Optional Watercolor Wash: The instructor will demonstrate how a limited watercolor wash can be used to reinforce value, introduce subtle color, or create atmosphere while allowing the drawing to remain the primary focus. Refinement & Critique: Students will continue refining their drawings with an emphasis on focal areas, simplification, unity, and selective detail, followed by a group review and discussion of key takeaways.