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Artists Association of Nantucket
ART CLASSES EVENTS

Course Description

Discover the expressive possibilities of alla prima oil painting in this engaging workshop with Heather V McLeod. Through demonstrations, discussion, and individualized instruction, students will explore the fundamentals of alla prima painting while developing their own original oil paintings. Participants may choose to focus on portraiture, still life, or a combination of the two, allowing for a personalized approach that reflects their individual interests and artistic goals. Special emphasis will be placed on color mixing, paint application, and learning how to stretch and manipulate paint to achieve a variety of textures, edges, and visual effects. Students will gain confidence in making color choices, creating luminous passages, and using painterly techniques to bring their work to life.

Each class begins with a demonstration followed by ample studio time and one-on-one guidance from the Heather. Using photographs and observational reference, students will create paintings that are both technically strong and personally meaningful while exploring their own artistic voice and approach to storytelling through paint.

Whether you are new to oil painting or an experienced artist looking to deepen your understanding of portraiture, still life painting, and alla prima techniques, this workshop offers a supportive environment for creative growth and exploration. A basic knowledge of drawing is helpful, but all levels are welcome.

For questions or assistance please contact Elizabeth Buccino, Director of Education*

Cancellation Policy

AAN depends upon student tuition to continue to offer classes and workshops. Due to our commitment to small class sizes and the hands-on nature of art education, we are greatly impacted by cancellations. Nevertheless, we do understand that plans change. If you need to cancel your reservation for a class or workshop, please note our cancellation/refund policy here and let us know as soon as possible.

Materials

PLEASE NOTE: The AAN’s Painting studio is equipped with easels and glass top carts for palette use and daily personal storage. Due to this studio’s evening classes in a variety of media, please be prepared to leave your cart and easel clean, store work in progress in drying racks provided, and transport your supplies to and from the studio each day. Storing unused paint in a plastic palette bin is suggested. Thank you in advanced for your consideration.

Oil Paint:
(My full palette but please feel free to add or remove on your own)

    • Titanium white
    • Yellow ochre
    • Cadmium yellow
    • Cadmium yellow deep
    • Burnt Sienna
    • Red ochre
    • Alizarin crimson
    • Cerulean blue
    • Ultramarine blue
    • Raw umber
    • soft bristle brushes (I prefer filberts)
    • palette knife
    • linseed oil
    • Paper towels
    • Canvas
    • photo reference (portraits, flowers, other paintings etc.)
Alla Prima Painting: Portraiture & Still Life, 18+

Heather V McLeod

Heather V McLeod is an artist exploring identity and the psychology by which we perceive others. Interested primarily in portraiture and representative work, Heather creates pieces with the intent of capturing the character of the figure portrayed. She plays with the use of symbolism and concealment to enhance the narrative and evoke a quiet yet humorous side to portraiture. Born and raised in the greater New York area, Heather received her MFA from The New York Academy of Art in 2021 and her BFA from Rhode Island School of Design in 2016. In 2017 she was awarded a Fulbright Study/Research Award in Perugia, Italy where she lived and worked for a year. She is a recent recipient of two Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grants and The Leslie T. and Francis Posey Scholarship. She has been featured in a number of exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad and has been the recipient of a number of art related awards, including most recently AXA Art Prize Finalist.
Full Artist Profile