Sunday, March 15 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Color is often the first thing we reach for when painting — but true depth, realism, and visual impact all begin with value.

This full-day workshop is designed as a black-and-white value study, focusing on how light, shadow, and contrast create form and depth before color ever enters the process. By removing color from the equation entirely, we train our eyes to see what actually makes a painting work.

Many artists practice value studies using simple shapes like spheres, cylinders, and cubes — and while that method is incredibly effective (and something we explore in other classes, including the February 19th value study), it doesn’t always appeal to everyone. This workshop offers a different approach.

Instead of still-life shapes, we’ll apply those same value principles to a recognizable, organic subject — a sea turtle. The goal isn’t the turtle itself; it’s learning how to translate light, form, texture, and depth into a finished painting using only black, white, and grayscale tones. For students who struggle to connect with abstract exercises, this provides a more engaging and approachable way to understand value without losing the discipline of the study.

Throughout the day, we’ll focus on:

Seeing and controlling light vs. shadow

Creating depth without relying on color

Understanding how value shapes form and realism

Using contrast to guide the viewer’s eye

Strengthening fundamentals that apply to every style of painting

Students will leave class with a completed black-and-white painting that stands beautifully on its own, as well as a stronger understanding of how value affects every future painting — whether realistic, impressionistic, or somewhere in between.

This workshop runs from 10:00 a.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m., with a lunch break built in to allow layers to dry. All supplies are included, and students will work on a provided canvas. Those wishing to work on a different size may do so with advance notice.

This class is ideal for:

Painters who feel their work lacks depth or realism

Students who rely heavily on color and want to strengthen fundamentals

Artists looking for a more engaging alternative to traditional still-life value studies

No matter what subjects you prefer to paint, mastering value will improve them all.