Still Life Painting with Jason Walker (August 2026)

This three day still life painting course is suitable for both beginners and intermediate painters who wish to develop their observational skills and confidence working directly from life.

Participants are encouraged to bring a small selection of objects they would like to paint. Simple, organic forms tend to work particularly well, especially for those new to still life painting, while highly reflective, patterned or overly complex objects can present additional challenges.

Still life painting offers the opportunity to create something extraordinary from the ordinary. The process itself is deceptively simple: a surface, paint and an object, yet the creative possibilities are endless. Throughout art history, still life has remained an essential and enduring genre, offering artists a space to explore composition, atmosphere, colour, narrative and personal expression.

Still life has always formed an important part of Jason’s own practice. It is how he first began painting and ultimately how he taught himself to paint. Working from observation provides a direct and rewarding way to strengthen drawing, painting and decision making skills while developing a deeper understanding of light, form, colour and structure.

This course is designed to provide a supportive environment in which to learn the mechanics of direct painting through observation. Over the three days, participants will have the opportunity either to develop a sustained painting across multiple sessions or to begin new studies each day.

Teaching throughout the course will focus on key principles including composition, drawing, value, colour and edge control, while also encouraging open discussion around surface, intent, atmosphere and narrative within painting. A range of direct painting methods will be explored, including alla prima and wet into wet approaches.

The course will combine demonstrations, practical exercises, individual tuition and one to one guidance where appropriate. References to both historical and contemporary painters will be incorporated throughout for context, inspiration and direction.

Day one will focus primarily on drawing and composition, exploring how arrangement and structure can influence mood and narrative within an image. The day will begin with shorter studies and practical exercises before moving towards a more sustained painting session in the afternoon. The direction of the following days will be shaped by individual interests, ambitions and areas of focus.

Jason’s own palette tends to favour earthy and muted colours, and much of the teaching surrounding colour and value will centre on the use of a limited palette. However, colour is deeply personal, and participants are very welcome to bring additional colours they wish to experiment with during the course and beyond.

Materials

Surfaces

• A few medium sized canvases or boards for instance, these.

Oil Colours

• Titanium White
• Ivory Black
• Cadmium Yellow or equivalent yellow
• Cadmium Red or Pyrrole Red
• Yellow Ochre
• Burnt Sienna
• French Ultramarine Blue

Optional Colours

• Magenta
• Cobalt Blue
• Cerulean Blue
• Burnt Umber
• Hooker’s Green

Participants are also welcome to bring any additional colours they may wish to experiment with. Colour choices may naturally be influenced by the still life objects selected for painting.

Brushes:

Please bring whatever brushes you already have available! Which may include filbert, flat or synthetic brushes suitable for oil painting. A variety of sizes can be useful for both broader passages and finer detail work.

About the Tutor

Jason Walker is highly regarded for his sensitive portraits and thoughtful depictions of everyday objects. His approach to painting is accompanied by a strong command of tonal value and a refined use of colour, both of which lend a quiet presence and sensitivity to his chosen subjects.

Jason graduated from Falmouth College of Art in 1992. Alongside numerous solo and mixed exhibitions, he has received awards in the Discerning Eye Exhibition and the Hunting Art Prize, and has exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery’s BP Portrait Award on multiple occasions. In 2004 he won the Holburne Portrait Prize and was commissioned to paint Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis. The portrait now forms part of the permanent collection at the Holburne Museum of Art in Bath.

PAST STUDENT FEEDBACK:

"Jason was a thoughtful teacher, recognising when students needed help. He was able to demonstrate on my painting where I could improve, a really lovely guy," Kathy C

 

"The course was very well structured with a good amount of painting time. Jason is very friendly and approachable, great one-to-one feedback"  Anne S 

How many students will there be?

There is a maximum of 12 participants, and the tutor will customise the course according to your individual needs.

Studio Access & Parking

The studio and car park open at 9:30 am each day. We kindly ask that you do not arrive before this time, as staff will be preparing the space.

We close at 5:30 pm, so please ensure you are packed up and ready to leave by then. Thank you for helping us keep everything running smoothly! 

If you have any questions, please see our frequently asked questions or contact us.