This course will cover the essential skills needed to make compelling paintings or drawings with luminosity, depth and interest. A focus will be placed on composition, value, edges and paint application as well as understanding the effect of light, shadow, and atmospheric perspective. This class is for serious artists who want to improve their skills with structured instruction and the energy generated by working with a group. Students will set up their own still-lifes in class with a shadow box for controlled light. Paintings begun in the class will continue at home between classes.