Still Life in Context with Kate Nielson / 1 Day Workshop

Suitable for all levels

This workshop invites participants to explore still life painting not as isolated objects, but as part of a broader interior environment. Working from carefully arranged still-life setups within a room setting, participants will develop paintings that integrate objects, space, pattern, and atmosphere.

The session draws inspiration from artists such as Henri Matisse, Édouard Vuillard, and Pierre Bonnard, whose paintings dissolve the boundaries between still life, interior space, and the surrounding world. Through discussion and practical exercises, participants will explore how these artists used colour, pattern, and unconventional spatial structures to create vibrant and immersive compositions.

Particular attention will be given to:

• Pattern and decorative surfaces
• Colour relationships within interiors
• Tilting or shifting picture planes
• Balancing still life objects with surrounding space
• Personal interpretation of everyday environments

Participants will begin with short observational studies before developing a larger painting that integrates still life objects within a broader interior context. The workshop encourages experimentation with composition, colour, and spatial relationships while strengthening technical painting skills.

Workshop Structure (6 Hours)

Introduction & Artist Context (45 minutes)

• Overview of Matisse, Vuillard, and Bonnard
• Discussion of pattern, flattened space, and tilted picture planes
• Looking at examples of interior paintings that integrate still life

Observational Studies (1 hour)

• Quick studies exploring composition and spatial relationships
• Focusing on object placement within a room environment

Developing Composition (1 hour)

• Planning a larger painting
• Considering pattern, colour harmony, and spatial distortion

Painting Session (2.5 hours)

• Creating a resolved painting from observation
• Individual guidance on composition, colour, and structure

Break & Discussion (30 minutes)

Final Development & Group Reflection (45 minutes)

• Refining paintings
• Group discussion on composition, pattern, and spatial decisions

Materials

Participants may work in oil or acrylic painting.
Still life objects and interior setups will be provided.

• Paints either acrylic or oil
• Brushes
• Large Canvas sized between 60 x 60 and 120 x 120cm
• Sketch pad
• Either pencil and/or charcoal
• Rags/apron

Terms and conditions

Please choose carefully as fees are non-refundable. Refunds of course fees will only be given if the course is cancelled or a place is not available in the course. Payment of course fees implies that you have read and agree to the WAC Terms & Conditions which are available online.