Painting Water, Glass, Fur and Feathers with Debra Keirce

Painting Water, Glass, Fur & Feathers with Debra Keirce October 27–29, 2026 $350 per person, lunch included each day Whether you enjoy painting landscapes, still life, or portraits in oil, this immersive workshop will expand the way you see and paint the world around you. Accomplished artist Debra Keirce will guide students through the techniques needed to create realistic depictions of complex textures—including water, glass, fur, hair, and feathers. While each subject requires a unique approach, Debra will demonstrate how the underlying concepts connect across a wide range of painting applications. Students will explore how the visual thinking used to paint water can also be applied to trees, mountains, and clouds. Similarly, the principles behind rendering luminous glass can be used for metals and other reflective surfaces. Techniques for painting hair and fur overlap with those used for flesh and fabric, while feathers introduce a dynamic variation on those ideas. This workshop offers a clear, approachable overview of the essential concepts master oil painters use to achieve convincing texture within classical realism. Join us—and bring a friend! All skill levels are welcome. Supply List All supplies are available online at: https://www.dickblick.com Students are welcome to bring their own materials, but please ensure all products are non-volatile and odor-free to maintain a comfortable classroom environment. Support Canvas pad (6" x 8", oil-primed sheets) Please bring two pads (20 sheets total) for exercises Brushes Synthetic brush set (student-grade is fine) Recommended (optional brands: Princeton Select 3750 series): Size 2 Chisel Blender Size 2 & 6 Filbert Size 3/0 & Size 3 Round Size 2 Liner 10/0 Short Liner ½" Flat Wash Optional: larger mop or flat brushes (even disposable makeup brushes work well) Paints (Oil) Recommended palette (e.g., Gamblin Artist Colors): Phthalo Blue Quinacridone Magenta Hansa Yellow Light Titanium White Burnt Umber Medium Solvent-Free Gel (Gamblin recommended) Additional Supplies Palette (or disposable plate) Palette knife Paper towels (blue shop towels recommended) Notepad and pen for notes Cleanup Mild soap (e.g., dish soap; provided on-site) Do not bring solvents with odor (e.g., lavender spike oil, maroger, etc.)