Photorealism Oil Painting
With Jessie Rebik
August 8 - 13, 2027
In this workshop, Jessie Rebik will teach the techniques used to create photorealistic oil paintings. Participants will explore image selection and transfer methods, as well as color palette selection, color matching, and blending techniques. This process is technical, so students will also be introduced to possibilities for modification and will be invited to personalize the process if they choose.
In addition to hands-on painting instruction, students will be introduced to the history of photorealism and contemporary photorealist artists, as well as explore the potential meaning and ideas that painting in this style can embody.
Materials To Bring:
Painting Supplies
- Paint palette or palette paper
- Fast-drying oil painting medium, preferred
- Cleaning jar
- Odorless mineral spirits, such as Gamsol, or another odorless brush-cleaning solvent
- Heavy-duty paper towels or rags
- Apron or overshirt to protect clothing
- Brush soap
- Sharp pencil
- Eraser
- Ruler, tape measure, or another measuring device
- Sketchbook
- Hair dryer (optional–to speed up the drying time)
Painting Surfaces
Bring two smooth, gessoed painting panels, such as Ampersand Gessobord.
Recommended size range:
- 4″ × 6″ to 8″ × 10″
Smooth surfaces are recommended for achieving the level of detail explored during this workshop.
Brushes
Bring a variety of oil-painting brushes, including:
- Firm-bristle brushes
- Soft-bristle brushes
- Very small through medium-sized brushes
- One small fan brush
- One medium fan brush
Recommended Oil Paint Colors
Participants may use colors they already own. For figurative subjects, Jessie recommends:
- Naples Yellow
- Yellow Ochre
- Indian Red or Terra Rosa
- Permanent Rose
- Cobalt Blue
- Payne’s Grey
- Titanium White
Participants are welcome to bring additional colors from their existing palette.
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Schedule:
Sunday
- 4:00–5:00 PM: Check-In & Arrival at Adamah Retreat Center
- 5:00–6:00 PM: Welcome Dinner
- 6:00–7:00 PM: Studio Introduction & Workshop Orientation
Monday
- 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
- 9:00–12:00 PM: Studio Instruction (includes instructor presentation, demonstration, and student work time and discussion)
- Image Selection–what makes a good photographic reference for photorealism?
- Methods for image transfer– getting the important visual information from the photograph to the painting surface.
- 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00–4:00 PM: Studio Instruction (includes instructor presentation, demonstration, and student work time and discussion)
- Block in values–determine the darkest darks, lightest lights, and areas of highest contrast.
- Mix the general colors of the large shapes in the image.
- 4:00–5:00 PM: Break/Free Time
- 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
- 6:00 PM–Evening: Open Studio/Hiking/Explore
Tuesday
- 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
- 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Studio Instruction (includes instructor presentation, demonstration, student work time, and discussion)
- Block in general colors over the value layer.
- Color matching! Practice with a painting exercise.
- 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00–4:00 PM: Studio Instruction (includes instructor presentation, demonstration, student work time, and discussion)
- Color organization on your palette
- Mix colors that match the photograph and organize them accordingly
- 4:00–5:00 PM: Break/Free Time
- 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
- 6:00 PM–Evening: Open Studio/Hiking/Explore
Wednesday
- 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
- 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Studio Instruction (includes instructor presentation, demonstration, student work time, and discussion)
- Begin the application of accurate color and respond to subtle shifts in hue, value, and temperature.
- This is a slow, tedious process. There will be breaks!
- 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00–4:00 PM: Studio Instruction
- Continue to apply accurately matched color to the painting
- 4:00–5:00 PM: Break/Free Time
- Evening: Chef’s Night Off! Explore the area and enjoy dinner on your own.
Thursday
- 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
- 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Studio Instruction (includes instructor presentation, demonstration, student work time, and discussion)
- Finishing detail (the fun part!)
- 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00–4:00 PM: Studio Instruction (includes instructor presentation, demonstration, student work time, and discussion)
- Continue adding detail
- Varnishing–the final layer (also the fun part!)
- 4:00–5:00 PM: Break/Free Time
- 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
- 6:00 PM–Evening: Open Studio/Hiking/Explore
Friday
- 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
- 9:00–11:00 AM: Final Painting, Group Critique & Discussion
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PM: Studio Cleanup, Group Photo & Workshop Review
- 12:00 PM: Workshop Ends
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View frequently asked questions here!
About the Instructor
Jessie Rebik
Jessie Rebik is a figurative photo-realistic painter who received her BFA from Clarke College (Dubuque, IA) and her MFA from Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL). She spent almost twenty years as an art professor teaching drawing, painting, color theory, 2D design, professional development, and more. Recently, she shifted to the Program Development role at […]
Learn more about Jessie RebikCategory : Painting