• Introduction-Intermediate
  • Painting

This ONLINE course is quiet but exciting. The art of still life painting can be traced back to classical antiquity and remains the subject of choice by many contemporary artists. It is the art of painting common objects, like fruit, flowers and household items and bringing them to  vibrant life. This  course is an introduction to still life painting with a focus on learning how to see, organize and paint still life forms in vibrant and colourful composition.

Taught step by step, starting with drawing, proportion and composition through to painting using luminous colour, value, and finishing techniques, this course is an excellent foundation course for anyone interested in learning to paint still life. Each session of this journey will include demonstrations using a beginner friendly wet-on-wet, “alla-prima” painting technique. Students will learn by working simultaneously with the instructor. Classes will include a short lecture, demos, painting in real-time (along with the instructor) and student work share / feedback sessions at the end of each class.  

Oil paint will be used for demo purposes, however, students are welcome to use acrylic paint.


Spring 2021: 8 wks: Tuition: $325.00

TSA will deliver this course using ZOOM. Prior to the course session, you will receive an invitation for the session(s) via email. You'll need a laptop, desktop or tablet, internet connection with good bandwidth and headset (either wired or wireless). We recommend that you set up a free ZOOM account and be familiar with ZOOM prior to the class beginning.  Here is a link to help you get started: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697

Notes: Anahita Akhavan is a Toronto-based artist and faculty member at TSA since 2018. Previously, she taught the Fundamentals of Painting and Drawing at the University of Saskatchewan. Akhavan’s practice ranges from figurative abstract painting to collage, drawing and photography. Her studio practice ranges from collage making to painting and drawing. She draws her subject matter from fragments of the human condition; identity, social roles, both subjectification and objectification of "the self" in multi-layered constructed surreal spaces. She has had solo and group exhibitions across Iran and Canada. Akhavan received the ICCC grant in 2016, won the second rank prize of Iranian Contemporary Painters held in Art Residency in Qeshm Island in 2013. 2017, MFA, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada 2013, BFA, Painting and Drawing, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
* This course is not currently open for registration

What you will learn

  • How to create balance and rhythm in your composition
  • Layering complimentary colours to create depth
  • Munsell’s coluor wheel
  • Alla prima technique for small colour sketches
  • How to create luminosity in your colours and avoiding muddy paints