Still Life: Drawing Like it Matters
Instructor: Paul Missal
Week 1: August 8-14, 2021

This class will bring people together who want to make beautiful drawings based on the understanding and practice of basic drawing principles and deep focus. The drawings will be inventive but based on a solid understanding of the fundamental principles of composition, value and an understanding of light, shade, texture and their rhythmic interaction.

Drawing is a way of seeing, experiencing, recording, expressing and connecting to the world around us. With our sense of observation and the skillful application of technique we can make our experience and its meanings indelible. There will be demonstrations and assignments around still life objects. You need only bring some basic drawing tools and your enthusiasm. You can expect to do at least three finished drawings, one of which will also use Gouache.

You will finish each drawing believing it to be the best one you have ever done and leave the classroom each day feeling as if you’ve worked really hard, that new doors had opened and you can't wait to get back into the classroom to continue your journey.

Click here for required class supply list

About Paul

Paul Missal received his B.F.A. degree in Painting and Printmaking from the Cleveland Institute of Art in l965 and his M.F.A. from Yale University in 1968. After teaching in Cleveland for a few years at various schools including the Cooper School of Art, he moved to Portland, Oregon in 1972 where he taught Painting, Drawing and Design at the Museum Art School, now the Pacific Northwest College of Art. In 1978 he along with 15 other artists, cofounded Blackfish Gallery which opened its doors in 1979. Paul continues to be represented by Blackfish and also does work on commission including Portraits and Murals. The latter is often done in collaboration with Emmerling Studio, a faux finishing studio that does work both here and in the far east. Having recently retired from full-time teaching, Paul Missal was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus from the Pacific Northwest College of Art. He continues to teach part-time at the College while maintaining an active studio routine.

My artwork is always based in observation, with the subjects ranging from Figure to Landscape and Still Life. In all, I seek not only the formal aspects of Painting but also try to connect with the deeper spiritual content within the work. Sometimes it is manifest in the way Light bathes forms. Other times it is Rhythms within a composition. Hopefully all work together with insight and passion to create the Painting.

*Images below include student artwork from Paul's CAC workshop summer 2019