Join Justin Wood for a Still Life Workshop in New Jersey
image shown: Apples in Wood Bowl by Justin Wood, 37×46 inches, Oil on Canvas, 2025
Join artist Justin Wood for an amazing in-person Dutch Still Life Workshop this June 15–19, 2026, in Lebanon, New Jersey (not to mention two online workshops listed below!).
“I am hosting an in-person still life painting workshop reminiscent of the 17th-century Dutch tradition in my hometown in beautiful Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Over the course of five days, I will lead the group through the entire picture-making process from composing and drawing to the various paint layers. Utilizing historical methods and conventions, we will use our understanding of design, light, form, color, and paint application to build a tangible, elevated world.”
— Justin Wood
About the Workshop
This workshop is inspired by the Dutch Breakfast Still Life (Ontbijtjes), a type of still life painting developed in the 17th century, and while the word ontbijtjes is Dutch for breakfast, it was more thought of as “a light meal taken at any time of day.” The Breakfast Still Life is characterized by the display of everything from common foods and items to rare delicacies and luxury goods such as roemers (wine glasses), silver/gold goblets, and Chinese porcelain bowls. Still life paintings in this genre ranged from small and simple to large and complex, with meanings both literal and symbolic, such as straightforward tributes to nature and finely crafted wares to moral and religious warnings against excess.
The paintings were created using specific procedures. They first executed a careful line drawing of the scene. This drawing was transferred to canvas or a panel and then toned a light gray or brown. The artist then completed the dead coloring (dood-verf), which was a transparent underpainting that would establish the general tones and colors needed to describe each object. Some artists did their dead coloring in full color, and some did it in just brown and white. We will use the latter method and limit our palette to brown and white. Once this layer is dry, the process of “working up” (opwerken) begins. In this stage, the artist precisely defined each form to completion. They were careful “not to apply paint too heavily, but thin and sparingly, elegantly laid, glowing and pure.” If, when this layer dried, some revisions and final touches were needed, they would do it at this time. There were, of course, different interpretations and versions of this method, but generally, most still-life artists of that time period worked in some variation of the previously described process.
Due to the time limitations and the importance of experiencing the entire production process, I want everyone’s still life to be simple. The size of the painting should be between 8 × 10″ and 11 × 14″. I recommend you choose a few pieces of produce (lemons, oranges, grapes, olives, etc.) with a bowl, plate, or cup, etc. Metal objects (steel, silver, pewter, copper) are great, but avoid high polish. Bread works well too and comes in many varieties. You can also include a piece of fabric, such as a white napkin or tablecloth. If your fabric has a pattern, it should not be too complex.
We will spend the first day setting up our compositions, drawing, and transferring. The second day will be used to complete the grisailles. The remainder of the time will be spent completing each part with color. I will work with everyone individually throughout the week and will paint alongside the artists on my own still life.
All levels welcome, although some prior experience drawing and painting is helpful!
Drawing and Painting Supplies
- 11 × 14-inch drawing pad
- drawing board
- artist tape
- pencil
- kneaded eraser
- medium vine charcoal (used to transfer drawing to canvas)
- 0.5 micron pen (used for inking transferred drawing)
- round sable or synthetic sable brushes (long handle): small, medium, large sizes (i.e., Rosemary Brushes pure sable series 99, long handle)
- medium (i.e., linseed oil, oleogel)
- Liquin (for speeding up dry time)
- odorless mineral spirits (i.e., Gamsol)
- container for mineral spirits (i.e., Silicoil)
- palette
- palette knife
- stretched canvas or prepared panel – size options: 6 × 8 inches, 8 × 10 inches, 9 × 12 inches, 11 × 14 inches (linen should be smooth, i.e., Claessens 13 DP)
- paints: lead white (i.e., Natural Pigments Flemish white) or titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, Venetian red, alizarin crimson, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, green (i.e., viridian, phthalo green yellow shade), raw umber, burnt umber, black
- mahl stick (optional)
- rags or paper towels
(Easels and still life tables will be provided.)
Accommodations and Transportation
Accommodations
Courtyard Lebanon
300 Corporate Drive
Lebanon, NJ 08833
908-236-8500
Transportation
Transportation to and from the studio during the week can be arranged by request.
Registration
The workshop will cost $700, and a 20% ($140) non-refundable deposit is due upon registration. Balance ($560) is due by May 1, 2026. Payment can be made via Zelle or a personal check. Send an email to jwood82@gmail.com to register.
Workshop address
79 Blossom Hill Road
Lebanon, NJ 08833
Limit of 13 artists.
Schedule
Monday: 10 am – 5 pm
Tuesday: 9 am – 4 pm
Wednesday: 9 am – 4 pm
Thursday: 9 am – 4 pm
Friday: 9 am – 4 pm
Each day will have one hour for lunch.
Online Workshops
In addition, Justin will be featuring two additional online workshops this year. Be sure to check them out!
Winter’s Harvest: Still Life Across the Seasons
Link: https://terracotta.art/version-live/workshop/winters-harvest-with-justin-wood
Summer’s Bounty: Still Life Across the Seasons
Link: https://terracotta.art/version-live/workshop/summers-bounty-still-life-across-the-seasons
