Going beyond reference photos
A One-Day Art Workshop Open to All Artists Workshop
Instructor: Michael Anderson
Date: Saturday August 9, 2025 Time: 9:00am-4pm
Location: Belleville Arts & Festivals Building, 1 Public Sq., Belleville, IL
Cost: $60 non-member rate / GEAG Members $40
Online Pre-Registration at geag.net or follow the link below
Description: A unique approach designed to enhance the painter’s practice with a freer, more expressive mind set using photo references to inform but not dictate their artistic process, to create works that feel fresh, expressive, and personal.
Workshop Goals:
Brushwork and Color: Focus on developing confident brush strokes, simple shapes and colors to add life to the artist’s painting.
Emphasize Creativity: Encourage artists to move beyond trying to replicate a reference photo and instead focus on creating an expressive, painterly work that is inspired by the photo.
Confidence using Photo References: Provide guidance on fair use and resources to help artists feel more confident in using photos as a springboard for creative expression.
Key Take Aways for Participants:
-A deeper appreciation of the painterly style, focused on expression and color.
-Practical experience using new skills to break away from tight, realistic rendering.
-A new level of comfort with spontaneity in brushwork and composition.
Materials required: Artists should bring a brush washer with a cap for use with water-based paints, a 9×12 disposable palette pad and paper towels. All other supplies, paints, brushes etc. will be provided. Parking & additional info will be provided with registration.
You may also like the following events from Gateway East Artists Guild:
- This Thursday, 24th July, 05:00 pm, Triad Show with Karen Miller, Lynn Dibadj, and Linda Gruchala in Belleville
- Next Monday, 28th July, 06:00 pm, Bead Soup Bracelet Workshop in Belleville
- Next month, 12th August, 06:00 pm, Sketch and Socialize in Belleville
Also check out other
Arts events in Belleville,
Workshops in Belleville,
Festivals in Belleville.
