Q&A: How do I sign up for a class? Simply email: claudia@claudiarilling.com and a reply will be sent to you with payment options. Class descriptions below.

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NEW CLASSES COMING THIS FALL 2026: (email claudia@claudiarilling.com to be added to the announcement)

FOUNDATIONS OF FLORAL PAINTING | SEPTEMBER 24-27
Open For Registration | Full Class Details below

BUILDINGS IN THE LANDSCAPE OCTOBER 6-20
Open For Registration | Full Class Details below

The Studio Landscape: Semi-Abstraction and Invention: October- November- Details Coming Soon...

SPACES ARE LIMITED

*Summer Classes are full

FOUNDATIONS OF FLORAL PAINTING 4-Day Workshop 
September 24-27
 
Dates & Times (Philadelphia/NYC time zone (Eastern) time)
• Thursday, September 24 | 12:00- 1:45 PM ET
• Friday, September 25 | 12:00- 1:45 PM ET
• Saturday, September 26 | 12:00- 1:45 PM ET
• Sunday, September 27 | 12:00- 1:45 PM ET
Office Hours (Optional to join): Sunday, September 27 | 3:00- 4:00 PM ET (casual drop-in; not recorded)
 
About the Workshop
Designed for painters who are new to painting flowers, this four-day foundations course will help students understand complex floral forms and paint them with confidence. By learning to simplify and paint these intricate forms, students will build a strong foundation for more advanced floral painting classes.
 
The workshop is divided into clear and manageable stages. During the first two days, students will work in a more realistic style to develop a strong understanding of floral structure and form. On Days 3 and 4, a looser, more expressive approach will be demonstrated. 
 
Course Objectives
• Simplifying and understanding complex floral forms
• Employing strong lighting to ensure a successful painting
• Mixing clean and accurate color
• Developing the surface and using varied edges
 
Class Syllabus
Day 1 Drawing; seeing shapes rather than details; simplifying complex information
Day 2 Mixing clean color; painting simple floral forms
Day 3 Different flower species and forms; working with edges
Day 4 Vases and ellipses; continuing to develop varied edges and marks
 
Format & Materials
• Instruction includes discussion, lecture, and demonstrations
• Instructor works in oil; acrylic, gouache, and pastel are also welcome
• A basic supply list will be sent after registration
• Students may paint from life or from provided photo references
 
After the Workshop
Students will receive individual weekly audio or written critiques through our private online classroom.
Participants will have two full weeks following the workshop to complete exercises and receive continued feedback. You might choose to start the work over the weekend or complete them during the week (however your schedule allows).  
Online Format
• Classes are held live via Zoom and recorded
• Live attendance is not required
• Recordings are available for 30 days after the course ends
• Private online classroom for critiques and between-session feedback  
Level
Beginner and higher

Tuition: $325
EMAIL: claudia@claudiarilling.com to register

BUILDINGS IN THE LANDSCAPE
Observing How Architecture Anchors the Natural World

October 6, 13, 20
Dates & Times (Philadelphia/NYC time zone- Eastern Time)

• Tuesday, October 6 | 12:00–2:00 PM ET

• Tuesday, October 13 | 12:00–2:00 PM ET

• Tuesday, October 20 | 12:00–2:00 PM ET

About the Class
Architecture can appear overwhelming, but by training our eye to see past detail, we can convey buildings powerfully and merge them with the organic forms of the landscape.
In this three-week intensive course, students will learn to see edges and shapes more confidently and clearly. The focus will be on simplifying complex architectural forms, conveying detail without overworking, varying edges, and merging the man-made with the organic.
By focusing initially on faster, small-scale studies, students will learn how to see and quickly capture complex information in paint. We will gradually move to slightly larger surfaces during Weeks 2 and 3. Other topics, including color mixing, value structure, and light, will also be covered.

Course Outline
• Simplifying complex architectural forms
• Seeing and organizing strong shapes

• Conveying detail (without painting details )
• Varying edges- integrating architecture into the landscape

Format & Materials
• Instruction includes discussion, lecture, and demonstrations

• A basic supply list will be sent after registration

After the Class
Students will receive individual weekly written or audio critiques through our private online classroom.
You will have two full weeks following the final class to complete the class exercises and receive feedback.

Online Format
• Classes are held live via Zoom and recorded

• Live attendance is not required

• Recordings are available for 30 days after the course ends

• Private online classroom for critiques and between-session feedback

Tuition: $295
Email crilling@hotmail.com to register

SUMMER CLASSES ARE NOW FULL AND CLOSED FOR REGISTRATION

2026 SUMMER CLASSES

JULY 2026
FOUNDATIONS OF LANDSCAPE PAINTING: STUDIO AND PLEIN AIR APPROACHES
4 Weeks: July 7, 14, 21, 28
This class is now full but delayed critique spaces are available- inquire via email

SUMMER CRITIQUE AND MENTORING GROUP
Class in now full
5 Weeks
Thursdays July 2, 9,16, 23, 30
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*FOR FULL CLASS DESCRIPTIONS SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE


SPACES ARE LIMITED, SIGN UP TO RESERVE A SPACE

JULY 2026

FOUNDATIONS OF LANDSCAPE PAINTING (Class is full)
4 Weeks: July 7, 14, 21, 28
Tuesdays from 12:00pm–2:00pm (Philadelphia/NYC Time EDT)

This class is now full but delayed critique spaces are available- inquire via email

This in-depth landscape painting class is geared toward painters looking for a strong foundation in landscape painting principles, and will cover the essential aspects of studio landscape painting, with an additional lesson on plein air painting in week 4.

The course will include demos and discussion, as well as art historical lessons to enhance our understanding of the genre. Each class will be broken into lecture, discussion, and demo.
Critiques will be conducted outside of our live class time in an online classroom, reserving class time for the specific weekly lessons.

Main Topics Covered
• Selecting and working with photo references
• Simplifying the landscape and seeing shapes
• Painting foliage and trees
• Mixing and controlling greens
• Atmospheric perspective
• Working in plein air

Each week a new assignment will be given, with clear written instructions. Students are encouraged to source landscape images they feel connected to, though several “back-up” images will be provided as well.
Class is taught in oil, though acrylic is also suitable. All levels are welcome.

Supplies: A supply list will be sent with registration.
Online classroom: Private online classroom for enrolled students.
Zoom: Classes are conducted via Zoom and are recorded for enrolled students, and available for one month

Tuition: $325
Registration: Email claudia@claudiarilling.com

JULY 2026

SUMMER CRITIQUE AND MENTORING GROUP

Class in now full

5 Weeks
Thursdays July 2, 9,16, 23, 30
11am–2pm EDT (Philadelphia/NY Time Zone)

This small summer critique group is designed for intermediate to advanced painters looking for feedback and direction in their work. Each session will focus on in-depth critiques, discussion of process, and practical ways to strengthen issues such as: composition, color, edge, and structure.
Students are encouraged to share current work, works in progress, or questions about their direction. The goal of the group is to create a supportive environment where painters can refine their work and stay engaged in their practice over the summer.

Additional painting-related topics will be covered each week.

Limited to 10 painters

Online classroom: Private online classroom where each student can post their work for discussion and weekly feedback.

Zoom: Classes are conducted via Zoom and are recorded, available for one month following each class.

Tuition: $375

2026 Private Mentoring and Coaching

These focused one-on-one meetings will support you in strengthening your work, overcoming blocks, and organizing your painting practice:

-Critique: Receive in-depth feedback on current work
-Overcome obstacles and artistic blocks
-Set artistic and professional goals
-Develop clarity and confidence in one's work and process

$110 USD/ 50 minutes
Meetings are conducted through Zoom

EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS COURSES: The Single Object Still-Life: Mastering Planes and Form; Foundations of Floral Painting: Unlocking Vibrant Color; Landscape Painting Foundations; After the Masters: Transcriptions in Gouache and Acrylic; After the Modern Masters: Transcriptions in Gouache and Acrylic; Alla Prima: A Direct Approach to Florals; Cityscape Painting: Capturing the Light and Atmosphere of the Urbanscape; Atmosphere and Edges: Building Depth into the Landscape; Oil Painting Foundations; Foundations of Still Life Painting; Color, Shape, and Design; Studio and Plein Air Practices; Buildings in the Landscape;

REFUND POLICY: There are no refunds or transfers for online classes. If one cannot attend live, recordings are available. In the unlikely event that a class is cancelled, students will receive a full refund.


General Supply List (oil):

Materials List for Claudia Rilling

• Paper Towels / rags
• Portable easel if working outside (landscape classes)
• Canvas Panels, stretched canvas, or gesso primed paper (any size you feel comfortable working in, but starting smaller is a good idea) 8x8, 10x10, 8x12, etc. Size is based on personal preference.
• Paint Brushes- It’s good to have a variety of brushes that range in both type and size. Rounds, Flats, and Filberts are all good
• Paper Palette (or whatever you prefer) - at least 12x16. Or, if using a portable easel, it may come with a nice palette.
• Metal palette knife. A pointed end is best, not larger than 3 inches long.
• Some Paints: (or use what you have)
Burnt Umber— Transparent Earth Yellow— Ivory Black — Cadmium Red— Cadmium Yellow Light or Medium— Ultramarine Blue or similar— Titanium White (large tube is best)— Alizarin crimson—Sap Green
• Any other colors that you like
• Feel free to experiment with other tube greens and blues like Permanent Green, Cadmium Green, Pthalo Blue (VERY strong), Phtalo Green (VERY strong), Prussian Blue, Cerulean Blue, etc. Tints can also be useful: ie "King's Blue"
• The brand I prefer: Gamblin or Windsor Newton oil paint, Williamsburg and Old Holland are more expensive options. AVOID student grade paint: "Gamblin 1980" and "Winton" by Windsor Newton
• Liquin Original or linseed oil– Not needed if working in acrylic
• Odorless Turpenoid or Gamsol– Not needed if working in acrylic
• Jars or cups for medium and thinner. Make sure the lid seals tightly.
• Optional: view finder (you can make a homemade version with pieces of cardboard taped together)
• Small sketchbook and pencil/markers. "Tombow" value markers are great for value studies.
• Gesso (optional to prime surfaces) : Professional Grade White Acrylic Gesso. “Golden” brand is good.

"Painting a Dynamic Landscape"
Jerusalem Studio School: Painting Workshop, July 1-15, 2019
Affiliate Workshop hosted by The JSS in Civita Castellana, Italy

WAYNE ART CENTER
www.wayneart.org

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Portrait drawing published in "Lessons in Classical Drawing" by Juliette Aristides