Floral Painting from Observation w/ Elizabeth Rouland

Floral Painting from Observation w/ Elizabeth Rouland
November 13 – 14, 2026, 9am – 4pm
Advanced Beginner to Advanced
Non-member fee $278 / Member fee $250
Minimum 5 / Maximum 15 students

Floral painting is a wonderful way to continue surrounding ourselves with beauty as seasons change and the days grow short and cold.  Fresh flowers will be our lovely models for this still life painting class. We will practice working from observation and learn an approach to painting the beautiful shapes and colors of flowers and foliage.  Students will work on fundamental skills including composition and painterly brushwork, learning to arrange and paint from observation.   As we paint, participants will pick up practical strategies for handling tricky materials and building paintings that feel bold, loose, and full of life. Previous drawing and painting experience is very helpful. Demonstrations will be in oil, but students are welcome to work in acrylic, if they prefer.

Students will leave with two or more floral studies and foundational lessons that will translate to any subject.

Each day will begin with a slide discussion and demonstration. Students will then work on flower still life paintings using fresh flowers and greenery. A one-hour lunch break will take place from 12-1pm each day. Students are invited to bring a sack lunch, or there are nearby restaurants where lunch can be purchased.

Medium: Oil Painting (Students may work in acrylic if they prefer)

Supply list

Students are welcome to bring the painting supplies and palette of their choice.  The instructor will demonstrate in oil paint. This supply list is suggested but not required. I’ve noted some paint colors that are optional but helpful if you plan to continue painting flowers and their rich colors.

Easels and tables will be provided. Flowers will also be provided.

Suggested Supplies

Palette & Tools

• Masterson Palette Seal
• Glass palette insert (preferred), smooth glass cutting board, or palette paper
• Palette knife: Small triangular or diamond-shaped knife for mixing
• Palette scraper
• Brush washer: Metal container with lid or Silicoil jar with lid
• Gamsol odorless mineral spirits

Brushes

Bring a variety of sizes and shapes. Recommended brands include:

• Robert Simmons Signet Bristle
• Princeton Dakota Series Synthetic
• Rosemary Ivory

Choose a few flats, filberts, and rounds in sizes #2, #4, #6, #8, and #10 to experiment with. You can always add more later!

Painting Essentials

• Paper towels and/or rags
• Apron or painting shirt
• Nitrile or rubber gloves (optional)
• Soft vine charcoal
• Sketchbook or paper and pencil for thumbnail sketches and notes

Painting Medium (Optional)

Choose one of the following:

• Gamblin Galkyd Gel (a current favorite!)
• Liquin
• Winsor & Newton Painting Medium
• Linseed oil

Bring a small jar if needed.

Painting Surfaces

Plan to bring 1–2 surfaces per day, depending on your painting pace.

Suggested sizes: 8″ × 10″, 9″ × 12″, 11″ × 14″, or larger.

Recommended options:

• Centurion Oil Primed Linen Panels (highly recommended)
• Gessoed stretched canvas or prepared canvas board
• Ampersand Gessobord
• Arches Oil Paper
• Centurion Oil Primed Linen Pad

If using oil paper or a linen pad, bring drafting tape and a larger Masonite board for support.

Your preferred painting surface is perfectly fine!

Suggested Oil Paint Colors

Feel free to bring your usual palette of colors. You do not need to purchase every color listed.

Whites & Yellows

• Titanium White
• Cadmium Lemon Yellow or Gamblin Radiant Lemon Yellow
• Cadmium Yellow Light or Medium
• Yellow Ochre

Oranges & Reds

• Cadmium Orange
• Cadmium Red Light or Medium
• Alizarin Crimson Permanent
• Phthalo Red Rose or Permanent Rose (optional, great for pink and red blooms)
• Rembrandt Transparent Red Oxide and/or Transparent Brown Oxide

Greens

• Viridian Green
• Sap Green
• Winsor & Newton Green Gold or Rembrandt Transparent Yellow Green (optional, lovely for warm flower centers)

Blues & Purples

• Ultramarine Blue
• King’s Blue (optional)
• Permanent Magenta (optional)
• Manganese Violet or Dioxazine Purple (optional)

Where to Shop

Supplies are available locally at Meininger’s and Guiry’s, or online at:

• dickblick.com
• jerrysartarama.com

Questions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Elizabeth. She’s happy to help you prepare for the workshop!

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Want to learn more about Elizabeth and her work? Connect with her, explore her paintings, and get inspired!

Website: elizabethrouland.com
Instagram: @elizabethrouland
Email: elizabeth_rouland@msn.com