Hybrid Workshop is Back!
Registration Open for Winter 2025
My Hybrid Workshop is open for Winter registration! I’ve continued to push the boundaries of my unique online workshop, featuring prerecorded instruction plus LIVE hang-out time from my studio for Q&A, critiques and discussion.
The new recorded lessons are from my painting Grandad’s Lunchbox, but if you’d prefer to paint one of my other classes just let me know and I’ll send you those lessons instead.
Whatever you decide to paint, we will meet as a group once a week for a fun time of art talk, critique and demos.
Example of an edited composition; paint what your schedule allows.
I have attempted to combine the best parts of online learning with the benefits of personal interaction with myself and fellow students. This workshop is designed to show you my entire painting process, as I work through a fully rendered painting. If you have any questions feel free to reach out!
That being said, you do not need to paint the same thing I do. I put a lot of hours into my full sheet paintings, but you may leave out elements if it’s too much to tackle for your schedule. For example, my Lemons and Silver painting works well as a vertical 16” x 20.” Some students prefer to do individual studies of single elements rather than a full painting—the complexity is up to you.
PRERECORDED LESSONS (Approximately 10 hours of content)
Lesson 1: Masking & Painting the Background (1 hr 28 min)
Lesson 2: Rust & Metal—Lunchbox (1 hr 36 min)
Lesson 3: Painting Round Forms—Apple (25 min)
Lesson 4: Antique Fan (1 hr)
Lesson 5: Milk Bottle (1 hr 5 min)
Lesson 6: Newspaper (23 min)
Lesson 7: Stapler (30 min)
Lesson 8: Banana (24 min)
Lesson 9: Wax Paper (1 hr 35 min)
Lesson 10: Peanuts (25 min)
Lesson 11: Peanut Butter and Jelly (1 hr)
LIVE MEETING SCHEDULE (Eastern Standard Time)
WINTER SESSION
Wednesday, Jan. 8, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Wednesday, Jan. 22, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Wednesday, Jan. 29, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
HOW IT WORKS
I will provide reference material and a link to the first two recorded lessons prior to our initial meeting.
The class will launch with a live zoom meeting. This will be a meet and greet, where I will give an overview of the class, review materials and answer questions.
Pre-recorded classes will demonstrate my methods, materials and painting techniques. I discuss my thought process for each subject, while other portions are sped up for observational learning. These recorded demos will be available to rewatch at your leisure for 4 weeks after the class.
After the launch, we will meet as a group for 2-hour live zoom sessions each week. I will answer questions based on the week’s lessons, provide additional demonstrations as needed, and review everyone’s progress. My critiques and group discussions are optional, but highly recommended and they have been much valued in previous classes. These live sessions will also be recorded and made available in case you are unable to attend.
Having a week between meetings allows you to rewatch segments you want to study, and provides time to absorb the techniques and concepts. You can rewatch as much as you’d like, and work at your own pace.
That’s over 10 hours of recorded content with 10 hours live interaction over 5 weeks.
There's nothing like teaching in person, but there are some benefits to this format. For example, people often jockey for the best seats in a class, but online everyone can see what I see, and I can zoom in for fine detail work. With four cameras, I can switch to different views, and include my palette so color mixing is no longer a mystery.
Perhaps the biggest benefit is the ability to replay something and watch it again and again. Now that is something that you can't do in a live workshop! There's also something special about gathering as a group during these difficult times. Here's what one person said from about my last hybrid course:
I cannot express how much I enjoyed the entire experience. The video was greatly helpful as I could watch it multiple times and close up shots were extremely valuable. How you have structured it with live Zoom calls made it a highlight of my week for the last 6 weeks. So grateful that you offered this class during what feels like a perpetual state of fear, suspension and chaos. I have never done a proper still life since I started about a year and a half ago, and not only I was intrigued by the process and what came out of it, but feel like I learned a ton from the instructions and perspective you shared.
— A.S., San Diego, CA
OTHER INFO
Each student will receive the materials list and reference photo for the class so you can work along with each lesson. Advanced artists may set up their own still life of similar objects if they prefer.
You will receive a confirmation email once you have registered, a follow up email will be sent with the Zoom LINK and PASSWORD before the class starts.
A Zoom account is necessary to join a class like this. Sign up is free at https://zoom.us/
I will open the class lobby approximately 30 minutes prior to the start to allow you to check your Zoom access. This is also a great time to catch up with others on the class and share stories.
THE FINE PRINT
Recordings and files may NOT be published in any media, online platform or video service, nor used for groups, art clubs/societies, etc. Workshop paintings may be shared on social media with attribution. All content copyright Matthew Bird.