In this (Oil, Acrylic, Pastel) workshop, Nicole will share the techniques she uses to bring figures from photographs to life. Students will learn to focus on simple shapes, light, and shadow to capture movement, body language, and attitude—with minimal drawing. Nicole will provide a variety of figurative reference photos specifically chosen for the workshop and designed to help students capture body language. She will also give quick demonstrations and provide individual instruction specific to each artist’s level. Students may bring their own photos for Day Two, as long as the figure makes up at least 75% of the image and has clear light and shadow on the body. Advanced Beginner to Advanced. You must have some previous painting and drawing and know how to mix basic colors.
About the Instructor — Nicole White Kennedy
Nicole White Kennedy is an award-winning North Carolina impressionist and figurative painter and a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society. Her paintings have appeared in numerous national juried exhibitions, and she received Best in Show in the Society’s 2025 All Members Online Exhibition.
A former advertising art director and owner of Nicole’s Studio & Gallery in Raleigh, Nicole brings extensive experience in visual storytelling, painting, and art instruction to her workshops.