The nine-day, three-hour lessons in this workshop will cover the whole painting process, starting from surface choice and preparation. Students will learn about the structure of the eye from an artist’s perspective in a fun tutorial with handouts. The workshop will cover the whole process of a direct painting approach method, from brush strokes of the first layer to a final, realistic painting of a human eye contrasted by a background constructed with ideas of nature, rebirth, and decay (Vanitas). Students will be provided with a photo reference and in-depth instructions on how to paint way beyond the photo and create a vibrant painting of an eye that looks realistic. Workshop Specifics This workshop will reframe how you approach painting an eye by giving you the tools you need to take your painting to the next level. We will cover several key elements, including: • The Structure of the human eye from an artist’s perspective. • How to transfer your reference to the painting surface. • How the directions of your brushstrokes impact the realism you achieve within your painting. • How to identify basic skin tones in your photo reference. • How to use texture and light to move beyond the flatness of a photo reference while interacting with a rich and interesting background. • Knowledge of common drawbacks and what to be careful about when painting from a photo reference.