Paint Like the Impressionist with Alex Whitney

A multimedia demonstration followed by a hands-on Impressionist still life workshop in oil paint with Alex Whitney. All levels welcome, open to members and non-members. Part of the Guild's confirmed 2026-27 workshop season.

About Alex Whitney

Alex Whitney is a pioneering artist from the East Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City, Missouri, and the former owner of DalArts Gallery. She began selling her artwork at just 15 years old and spent much of her adult life working alongside museum artists in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. Throughout her career, Alex has exhibited her work in prominent galleries while managing art education programs, gaining extensive experience as both a professional artist and instructor. She is recognized throughout the Kansas City region as a figurative colorist, creating compositions that define space through the expressive use of color. Today, Alex lives and teaches in St. Augustine, Florida, where she continues to inspire artists through her passion for art.

Demonstration: The Artist's Journey — A Creative Life's Work

Join Alex Whitney for an engaging multimedia presentation exploring her artistic journey and some of the painters who continue to influence her work. Through a PowerPoint presentation and discussion, we'll see Alex's work, review the elements of making art, and explore some of what we'll learn about the French Impressionists and the Impressionist movement in the upcoming workshop.

Workshop: Painting a Still Life in the Impressionist Style

Artists and painting enthusiasts on every level will enjoy taking this journey back to 19th century France in the world of oil painting! Together we'll explore the artistic movement that upended the art world. We'll learn what influenced the Impressionists, trace the origins of the Impressionist movement, introduce the artists who created the movement, and explore their innovative approach that reshaped the art world's view of painting. We'll learn the Impressionists' thoughts on painting. Then we'll embark on a "hands on" exploration of what inspired the Impressionists by painting a still life using their methods and colors to create "free" and fun impressions in oil paint.

Bring: Your lunch. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Supply list

Most supplies are available from Dick Blick, Utrecht, Hobby Lobby, or Walmart.

• No painting mediums, solvents, or thinners
• No acrylic paints
• Stretched and primed canvas, canvas board, or Stonehenge oil paper (choose a size you can comfortably transport while still wet)
• Walnut oil medium (artist quality only — not food grade or other oils)
• Small container with lid for walnut oil
• Oil paints:
  • Cadmium Red Medium
  • Alizarin Crimson
  • Ultramarine Blue
  • Cadmium Yellow Medium
  • Zinc White (not Titanium White)
  • Optional: Ivory Black, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber
  • Please avoid paints labeled "Hue" or "Phthalo/Thalo"
• Old rags or paper towels
• Oil painting brushes:
  • Two or more small and medium round brushes
  • Two or more small and medium flat brushes
  • Recommended sizes: #6–10
• Palette
• Palette knife
• Travel or field easel
• Drop cloth

Pictured: "Neighbors Barn" (41" × 24"), the postcard image for the "A Place in the Country" show, featured in a write-up in Kansas City's Painters magazine.