Two Figure Narrative Painting Workshop

Two Figure Narrative Workshop: In-Person

Michelle Doll | Spring 2026 | May 1 -3

Class Description:

This workshop offers an exploration of painting a two-figure composition from life, with a focus on understanding how to paint flesh and form to create intimate, narrative-driven artwork.

We will study the work of great painters past and present—ranging from the quiet, emotive style of Eugène Carrière to the raw, visceral paintings of Alice Neel and Lucian Freud, and the tender, emotive works of Mary Cassatt. These artists, who worked solely from life, found meaning and connection with their subjects, translating them into deeply personal works of art. Throughout the workshop, we will explore how various technical aspects and practical processes can enhance the emotional and conceptual depth of an intimate narrative. At the same time, students will be guided to refine and develop their own techniques while exploring their own emotional connection to the work.

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Workshop Dates:

Scheduled occurrences for the next session of this workshop are as follows:

Day	Date	Time
Day 1:	5/01/2026	6:30 pm - 9:30 pm ET
Day 2:	5/02/2026	10:00 am - 5:00 pm ET
Day 3:	5/03/2026	10:00 am - 5:00 pm ET

Before Class - Welcome & How to Prepare for Class
Day 1 - Lecture: Composition and Technical approaches: Creating a powerful, two-figure narrative composition and meaning in the technical process. 
Day 2 - Composing the two figure imprimatura sketch & Color and Value: Mixing a strong flesh palette to bring the narrative to life
Day 3 - Completing the Narrative: Finishing the Painting. - What makes a painting feel complete? Approaches and meaning in experimentation.
After Class - Wrap Up

$750.00
In-Person
3 Days
Beginner to Advanced

Meet Your Instructor

Michelle Doll

Instructor

Michelle Doll’s paintings capture quiet, private moments hinged on personal connections between herself and her subjects. Her paintings are infused with themes of intimacy and introspection and explore contemporary ideas about family, love, desire and femininity. Born in Canton, Ohio, she received her BFA from Kent State University (1999) and MFA from the New York Academy of Art (2006). Selected awards include the Prince of Wales/ Forbes Foundation Travel Grant (2006), Artist in Residence at Eden Rock on St. Barth’s (2008), The Bennett Prize Honorable Mention (2018), a fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (2019) and The Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Grant (2024). Her paintings have been exhibited in the US and internationally with solo exhibitions at Pontone Gallery in London, Galleri Ramfjord in Oslo, Blank Space Gallery in NYC, DFN Gallery in NYC and Lyons Wier Gallery in NYC. She currently is an adjunct professor at New Jersey City University and has been mentoring artists for the past 20 years. Michelle lives and works in Hoboken, NJ.