Mediums: Oil or acrylic – Mel will work in oil
Level: All levels welcome
Class Dates: Mondays, May 11-25, 2026
Class Times:
• 10:00 am-12:30 pm Pacific Time
• 1:00 pm-3:30 pm Eastern Time
• 6:00 pm-8:30 pm UK Time
“Every tree is a “personality” and possesses, within the limits of its species, a tremendous latitude of expression.” – John F Carlson
Trees are the perfect, low-pressure subject on which to practice essential painting techniques. Their varied forms are fun to recreate, and easy to imbue with character and mood (without the pressure to capture an exact likeness that comes with human portraiture).
With trees as our “sitters”, Mel will guide you to sketch and paint along with live exercises and demos, from references images provided (or your own). First we will study the basic shapes and foundation of trees, learning how to convey weight and balance so that our trees feel grounded and alive. Then we will explore colour harmony, restrained use of detail, and thoughtful edge work as we create our personable trees.
By the end, you’ll understand and love trees as characters in your future landscape paintings, or even as compelling “portraits” in their own right.
In stock
$225.00
Mel Williamson lives and paints on Salt Spring Island, BC, where she creates work in a variety of genres, including the human figure, landscape and still life. Her work has been described as “impressionistic, fresh and honest” and has a unique expressive quality, through bravura brushwork.
Known as a kind, generous and open teacher, Mel shares her knowledge and practices with others in an encouraging manner. She teaches online and in-person in Vancouver and Italy. She loves oil paint in all of its materiality and possibility, and believes there are no mistakes, only progress.
Mel is represented by three galleries in Canada: on Salt Spring Island and Sidney, BC and in Toronto, ON.
About This Online Class:
Search Winslow classes by instructor, day, month, medium or keyword.
