Ever painted an apple that looked more like a flat red circle? Sketched a portrait that seemed to float right off the page? Don’t worry. You’re not missing talent. You’re missing light and shadow.

Whether you work in oil, watercolor, charcoal, or anything in between, the secret to making art look real comes down to one thing: understanding how light behaves and where shadows fall. Master that, and suddenly your still lifes have weight, your portraits come alive, and your landscapes have depth you could practically walk into.

In this workshop, we’ll take our cues from one of the greatest observers of light ever to hold a brush: John Singer Sargent. Sargent didn’t just paint what he saw. He carefully documented how light worked, from the warm glow on a cheek to the sparkle on moving water. His observations became a true “tipping point” in art, shaping the work of many great contemporary artists who followed.

Here’s how the session works:

• First, an engaging overview of the fundamentals, with plenty of Sargent’s work to inspire you.

• Next, a live demonstration so you can watch these principles come to life, step by step.

• Finally, an optional hands-on exercise in the medium of your choice: acrylic, oil, pastel, charcoal, watercolor, or whatever you love most.

Whatever your skill level, you’ll leave seeing the world a little differently, and you’ll never look at a shadow the same way again.