4-Day Oil Painting Workshop with Casey Childs
From Color Study to Finished Painting
$750
Sept 23rd - Sept 26th, 2026
Join award-winning artist Casey Childs for an immersive four-day oil painting workshop focused on how to develop a painting from start to finish. This workshop guides students through Casey’s complete process—from initial concept and live observation to a refined, gallery-ready painting.
What You’ll Learn
Over first three days, students will work from a live costumed model arranged in an expressive, thoughtfully designed pose. You’ll explore how to combine direct observation from life with reference photos you capture yourself to create a strong, well-informed final piece. On the final day, students will learn Casey’s approach to Alla Prima painting.
Workshop Progression
Day 1: Live Painting Demonstration by Casey, students practice with personal guidance
Introduction to designing a compelling setup with the model and environment
Creating quick thumbnails to explore value structure and composition
Painting a small, simplified color study to establish overall harmony, temperature relationships, and the major shapes of the final piece
Discussion of lighting, mood, and how to stay true to the character of the pose
Day 2: Live Painting Demonstration by Casey, students practice with personal guidance
Translating the color study and life observation into a solid drawing on the canvas
Blocking-in major value masses with accuracy and sensitivity
Working from both the live model and your own photo references to refine proportions and structure
Emphasis on simplifying shapes before adding detail
Day 3: Live Painting Demonstration by Casey, students practice with personal guidance
Building the painting with confident, intentional brushwork
Modeling form through careful observation of light, shadow, edges, and transitions
Strengthening color relationships established in the early study
Using photo references strategically—without losing the vitality and truth of painting from life
Day 4: Live Portrait Alla Prima Demonstration by Casey, students practice with personal guidance
Learning how to create an Alla Prima Portrait from life
Practice skills learned during the first three days of the workshop to create a painting in a single session
End of the last day
Group critique and feedback session
This workshop is ideal for artists who want to strengthen their observation skills, refine their painting process, and learn how to merge life observation with photo reference effectively. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a strong foundation or an experienced artist looking to improve your process, this workshop will provide the tools you need for your artistic growth.