Casey Childs Workshop 2026

"My work as a whole encompasses an exploration of the human experience. My interest in the people around me comes from the idea that we look at people every day, but we never really stop to SEE them. In every painting I strive to capture the beauty, variations and complexities of the human form. The goal of my portrait work is to capture the soul of the individual–not just their likeness. I’m inspired by the figurative works (to name a few) of Sargent, Fechin, Thayer, Caravaggio and John Giarrizzo. John, my art professor at Northwest College, instilled in me a great love of art and an immense desire to create it. His work and ideas have found their way into mine. I see my work as a self-portrait in that the subjects of my paintings are all a part of me, each painting a learning experience and an exploration of myself as an artist." Casey Childs

-Gold Medal, OPA 27th National Juried Exhibition, 2018
-Second Place, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition, 2018
-First Place, Portrait Society of America Members Only Competition, Outside the Box Category, 2018
-Fifth Place, Portrait Society of America Members Only Competition, Commissioned Portrait Category, 2018
-MEAM Purchase Award, Art Renewal Center 13th International Salon, 2018
-Third Place, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition, 2017
-Board of Director's Award of Excellence, OPA 26th National Juried Exhibition, 2017
-Art Renewal Center Realism Award of Excellence, OPA 25th National Juried Exhibition, 2016
-Second Place, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition, 2016
-First Place Drawing, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition, 2015
-Third Place, Portrait Society of America Members Only Competition, Self Portrait Category, 2013
-Merit Award, 88th Spring Salon, Springville, UT, 2012
-Merit Award, 9th International LDS Art Exhibition, Salt Lake City, UT 2012
-Charles and Ruth Whiting Award, 26th Annual Religious and Spiritual Art of Utah, Springville, UT 2011
-First Honors, Portrait Society of America International Competition, 2011
-Fourth Place, Portrait Society of America Member Competition, Outside the Box, 2011
-Certificate of Excellence, Portrait Society of America International Exhibition 2010
-Honorable Mention, Commissioned Portrait, PSA Member Competition, 2010
-Honorable Mention, Non-Commissioned Portrait, PSA Member Competition, 2010
-Merit Award, 86th Spring Salon, Springville, UT, 2010
-First Place, Lehi Arts Competition, Lehi, UT, 2008

Medium: Oil

Number of students: Maximum 16

Experience: All levels

Language: English

This 5-day workshop is designed for artists of all levels — whether you’re just beginning to explore the portrait, or you’ve painted many and want to deepen your craft. Each morning Casey will demonstrate his proven process for painting the portrait: from initial drawing and value structure, to colour harmony and the capturing of likeness and character. In the afternoons, you’ll apply what you’ve learned by painting from a live model — working with one-on-one feedback and direct guidance from Casey. A second live model will be available during the week to give variety in form, lighting and expression.

By the end of the week you will have a far stronger grasp of the fundamentals of figurative portraiture — and you’ll have worked through real decisions and challenges in building a portrait.

What you will learn:

• How to see the model in new ways: going beyond the surface likeness to capture the individuality, presence and spirit of your sitter.

• The foundational drawing and value relationships that support a successful portrait, and how to lay them out in oils.

• Colour mixing and glazing strategies specific to flesh tones and portrait contexts.

• How to manage edge, form, light-and-shadow transitions to create depth and realism without losing painterly freedom.

• Personalising your work: how Casey draws inspiration from masters (such as Sargent, Caravaggio and Fechin) and yet retains a fresh, authentic voice.

• How to apply feedback and critique in real-time: Casey will regularly review individual works, help you troubleshoot problems and develop strategies for taking your portrait painting to the next level.

• 5 days Tuition from Casey

• Fresh pastries, yougurts or fruit in the morning with tea and coffee in the morning

• All lunches, snacks & soft drinks every day

• Two evening meals, at least one will be home cooked!

• VAT (20% UK Sales Tax)

• Easels, Paper Towels, Gloves, Trash Bags

We offer payment plans. The first payment secures your place and is your deposit. The second is required 3 months later. The third, three months from then.

We split the payment into three equal amounts (£565.00 GBP).

Please read through our FAQ’s.

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If you still have a question, don’t hesitate to email us.

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So, although you can pay via the website, they charge extra fees. Truth be told, there’s extra fees for all international payments, but if we call you and take payment over the phone, it’s only 4%.

If you are in the UK, you should do a bank transfer as there are no bank fees that way.

If you book through the website, we will need to ask you for a 5% bank fee payment.