Image 1 of 1 Still Life Painting Workshop – Inspired by Helene Schjerfbeck
Discover the art of still life through the expressive vision of Helene Schjerfbeck.
Join us for a full-day painting workshop on Sunday 19 October where we’ll take inspiration from the beautiful still-life paintings of Finnish artist Helene Schjerfbeck (1862–1946).
In the morning session (10:00am–12:30pm), we’ll begin with some warm-up drawing exercises, looking closely at the shapes of fruit, vegetables, and a still-life arrangement prepared for the class. We’ll then sketch out our overall composition and start building layers of colour using acrylic paints (provided), with the option to work in oils if you prefer to bring your own.
After a lunch break (12:30–1:30pm)—you’re welcome to bring your own, or explore the vibrant farmers’ market right outside our door—we’ll return for the afternoon session (1:30–4:00pm). Here we’ll explore more experimental techniques: layering colour, scratching back with sandpaper, and adding touches of charcoal or scuffed textures to create the earthy energy and atmosphere that characterises Schjerfbeck’s work.
Schjerfbeck’s still lifes were never just conventional studies of objects; they reflect her deeply personal vision of light and colour. Influenced by contemporary European painters such as Cézanne, she developed a distinctive approach, often using the palette knife to organise the structure of her paintings and focusing on the intensity and character of colour rather than material detail.
This workshop promises to be a creative, hands-on day of exploration, giving you the chance to experiment with colour, texture, and technique—and to take home your own expressive still-life painting.