Color Theory and Mixing Workshop with Devin Cecil-Wishing
Two-Day Workshop: February 8-9, 2020, 9am – 4pm
$250M/285NM

Color is a complex topic that beginning, and even more advanced painters, oftentimes struggle with.  In this workshop, using a traditional color palette,  students will learn a logical approach to color mixing, which will eliminate much of the mystery and confusion surrounding the topic of color.

By systematically breaking down the subject in to its component parts, you can learn to focus on one element at a time and begin to think of color in terms of freely navigating through a “color space” rather than worrying about trying to memorize specific recipes of pigments.

This class will feature in depth discussions on color, light, and visual perception, as well as demonstrations showing how to actually apply these principles to real world painting scenarios.  Students will spend time completing various color mixing and painting exercises on small still lifes, specifically designed to help them internalize the lessons on color that are being discussed in the lectures and demonstrations.

“Goodbye chalky or muddy colors”

This is a great opportunity for students to learn how to avoid some common pitfalls such as “chalky” and “muddy” colors, and learn how to pin down exactly what we’re talking about when we describe colors as “interesting,” “subtle,” “deep,” “rich,” “warm,” “cool,” etc. 

By exploring the underlying principles of color mixing, students will discover that color is just as logical in its workings as anything else and that there is no reason for it to feel confusing, mysterious, or inaccessible.

Click HERE for the materials list for this workshop and scroll down for more information about the instructor, Devin Cecil-Wishing.

WORKSHOPS:  Cancellations by the student – more than 90 days: full refund. Under 90 days: $50 non-refundable registration fee is included in the workshop tuition.  Deposit is non-refundable within 14 days of the start of the workshop.

San Francisco native, Devin Cecil-Wishing (b. 1981), launched his art career at age 13 after discovering the work of underground cartoonist R. Crumb.  He attended San Francisco School of the Arts High School where, at age 14, he was offered his first commission.  The classroom teacher noticed Devin’s class “notes” were a rich assortment of well-developed doodles and cartoons.  In an unusual offer, the classroom teacher offered Devin a “B,” if he could produce a poster for his band.  A successful poster was created for the teacher and Devin’s early art career was launched.

Devin went on to attend the California College of Arts and Crafts where he graduated in 2005 with High Honors from the illustration department.  It was during this time that Devin began to more seriously explore other forms and styles of art.  His education helped him develop interests in 60’s poster art, surrealism – particularly the works of Dali, wildlife art and many other art styles. Following graduation, Devin traveled to Amsterdam to view works on display for the celebration of Rembrandt’s 400th birthday.  It was during a trip to The Hague and a viewing of Rembrandt’s “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp,” that Devin realized how much he loved traditional painting and desired to study it further.  Returning to San Francisco, Devin began studying at the Atelier School of Classical Realism in Oakland CA.  At the same time, he began working as an instructor, teaching traditional drawing to low-income high school students in an after school program.  He discovered that not only did he love creating art; he also had a true love for teaching art.  He quickly began to teach at several other Bay Area locations. 

Wanting to push his skills further, Devin applied and was accepted to study under the direction of Jacob Collins at the Grand Central Academy of Art in New York City. Devin moved to New York and began his studies in the summer of 2009.  In his fourth year as a student he was invited to begin teaching classes there as well.

Devin’s work has been featured in numerous publications including American Artist Magazine, The Epoch Times, Bay Nature Magazine, The New Criterion and the San Francisco Chronicle. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the country.  He has received numerous awards including a Stobart Grant, acceptance to the Hudson River Fellowship and first place in the Alfred Ross Prize for Excellence in Cast Drawing, and has been awarded in the prestigious Art Renewal Center’s annual scholarship competition.  His work has also been featured in the Art Renewal Center’s Annual Salon multiple times.

In the summer of 2014 Devin was invited to South Africa where he went to teach a two week drawing intensive.  In 2018 he launched an ongoing instructional video series designed to teach painting and drawing to those students who can not come to New York to study in person.

Devin currently lives in New York City where he paints and teaches at the Grand Central Atelier.  He is represented by William Ris Gallery in Long Island and Sheldon Fine Art in Newport, RI.

To see more of Devin Cecil-Wishing’s work, please click here.