Home / Art Gallery / Art Gallery: David Cheifetz / Time flew by this week while teaching a workshop

Time flew by this week while teaching a workshop

Time flew by this week while teaching a workshop @scottsdaleartschool . Super cool group of artists. So creative, talented, worked hard. Here are the two main demonstration paintings I did. Two complimentary approaches to composition. Demo 1: composing objects provided by the venue, painting from observation. Physical setup on top, finished demo below. Demo 2: Painting from imagination. Trusting yourself and breaking through the compulsion to use reference. Abstract composition on left, representational interpretation on right. In the initial abstract phase we just create focus/hierarchy and balance using color, value, placement and proportion. In this stage we intentionally have ZERO thoughts about what the subject will eventually be. You’ll notice I rotated my panel before starting the representational phase. If it’s a good composition, it should work in any orientation! Letting the abstract forms suggest what it will become. I developed this approach a few years ago and it helped me break through a period of frustration. Super fun and challenging way to paint, and pays dividends if you can take this attitude back to your more observational paintings 🔥. Both demos are sold. Looking forward to returning to Scottsdale in the future!

A Realism food piece by David Cheifetz at David Cheifetz, posted on Oct 11, 2025.

Studio

Styles

Subjects

Send Tattoo Request to David Visit Paradise Artist Retreat

Catch David at

Oct 6–8, 2026Paradise Artist RetreatJiminy Peak, MADetails →

Continue browsing

More by David Cheifetz (21)More realism pieces (188)More food pieces (7)

← Back to the art gallery