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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.

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