Description
Painting Still Life in the North Light Studio with Syd Hale
Friday, March 21 through Sunday, March 23, 2025
Time: 9:00AM – 12:00PM
Members $175 / Non-members $195
In this workshop we will explore the true light spectrum of natural light in the studio. Painting without an artificial light source allows us to identify the darkest and lightest note without distractions of reflections and color changes that occur using artificial light. North light also enables us to work at a study longer than outdoors and work out color issues that can help us in our plein air and other work. We will work with a palette knife so as to not emphasize drawing and instead emphasize color spots which will lead us to build and mold a beautiful still life.
As taught at the Cape School of Art in Provincetown, these studies are the foundation of seeing light and color in the natural world. My website is Sydhale.com
Materials:
-Oil or water mixable oils, Windsor Newton or equivalent
-Windsor Lemon
-Windsor Yellow or Cad Yellow Light
-Windsor Orange
-Windsor Red
-Permanent Rose
-Alizarin
-Magenta
-Permanent Green Light and Dark
-Viridian
-Manganese or Sevres Blue
-French Ultramarine
-Yellow Ochre
-200ml Titanium White
Optional Materials:
-Transparent Red: Oxide, Mars Violet, Indian Red
-Blue pastel pencil
-Gessoed Panels: Masonite, Luan or birch plywood. If purchased and slick, I recommend an extra coat of gesso for paint to grab better.
-Bring two a day: 11×14,12×12, or 12×16
-Palette knife: “artxpress “online has best selection. Italian plus # 050 or # 045 Holbein 1066-S 303, 1066 S-33, Holbein 1066 S-41, or similar.
-Paper towels
-Plastic bag for trash
-Palette…big enough for a lot of mixing
-Your own easel set up or use the studio easels available at the Center
-Veg oil for clean-up
Bio:
Over the last eighteen years I have studied and painted with many of the artists that followed and studied with Henry Hensche at the Cape School of Art. These teachers have been my guides throughout my study of light and color and promoted my love of Plein Air painting. In the mid 1970’s, after receiving a BFA in painting from the University of Connecticut, I was primarily an abstract painter, immersed in and influenced in the modern art movement with the likes of Franz Kline, Pollack, Rothko, Hoffman and many others. At the same time pursuing artistic endeavors, I learned to fly and spent 35 years as an airline pilot. The world became my canvas, my sketchbook my companion, museums my reprieve. I began to see color in another way and became enveloped by the French Impressionists.
It is no surprise that, when I was finally able to paint more and had a studio of my own, that I discovered the Cape School of Art in Provincetown. It is here that I began to see color, influenced by natural light in its full spectrum, and where my artistic journey comes full circle working from the natural world.
Along with many of the art centers and associations here on the Cape, I have been fortunate to be part of another vibrant art community in Naples, Florida. I have been teaching at the Naples Art Association, showing at the Sheldon Gallery on Fifth Ave, and involved with shows in the Naples Art district.
Here on the Cape, I have been teaching at the Cape School for the last four years. I have had the honor to be a part of their board for ten years to help keep the school and its history alive. My village in Cotuit is also a special place and I love how I can just hop on my bike and paint at the beach, the marsh, the harbor, and even my beautiful rose garden. To “off road” on the dunes, perch myself on a bluff, or just be on a village street corner, I find beauty, joy and peace in painting.
I am a resident artist at the Chapman Gallery in Cotuit. My studio is in Cotuit, and you can view my work on my website at sydhale.com.
