Still Life in Oil: Expressive Color with an Impressionist Palette with Aaron Souza

Discover the vibrant world of still life painting through the lens of expressive color and direct observation. In this 6-week oil painting class, you will learn to capture the beauty of everyday objects—fruits, shells, vessels, fabrics, and more—using a dynamic, highly chromatic palette adapted from the teachings of the Cape School and Emile Gruppé.

Through weekly demonstrations, guided exercises, and individual feedback, you will explore:

• Setting up compelling still life arrangements with strong light and shadow

• Mixing rich, harmonious colors directly on the palette and canvas

• Building form, value, and temperature relationships with confident brushwork

• Achieving fresh, impressionistic lighting effects that bring your still lifes to life

Whether you are new to oil painting or looking to deepen your knowledge of color and form, this class encourages bold experimentation and personal expression. By the end of the six weeks, you will have completed multiple finished still life studies and gained a practical understanding of Cape School-inspired color principles that you can apply to any subject. No previous experience is required, though familiarity with basic drawing concepts is helpful.

Materials List

Aaron Souza is a Massachusetts-based oil painter focused on capturing the vibrancy of light, color, and atmosphere. His work is rooted in strong draftsmanship executed with a full chromatic palette, exploring the essence of a scene through a keen understanding of light and color. Souza's artistic vision is heavily influenced by the American Impressionists, particularly the Hawthorne/Hensche tradition, as well as by artists such as Charles Hawthorne, Emile Gruppé, and the Boston School.

Souza completed his BFA in Painting from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2006, followed by a Master's degree in Art Education in 2018. A pivotal moment in his practice began in 2012 when he started studying at the Cape School of Art in Provincetown, MA. Here, he deepened his understanding of color through the Hawthorne/Hensche tradition and gained a new perspective through the study of light and color through plein air painting study. His time at the Cape School of Art, honing his skills under renowned instructors, combined with a deep appreciation for nature and the human figure, informs his unique artistic approach.

Based out of Yarmouth, Massachusetts, Souza creates both studio and en plein air paintings, often exploring coastal landscapes and figures. His studio development utilizes a combination of en plein air color studies and personal photographic references. An avid member of the local artist community, Aaron has shown his work in several exhibitions around the South Coast and Cape Cod. Before moving to Cape Cod, he was active in the Greater New Bedford area, completing multiple collaborative murals and organizing a critique group for local working artists. www.aaronsouzafineart.com Instagram at @aaronsouzafineart

The Cape Cod Museum of Art is committed to making Art accessible to everyone in the Cape Cod Community. The Museum School Scholarship Fund provides tuition assistance to qualified, year-round Cape Cod residents ages 6 and up. Click here to apply.

Image credit: Aaron Souza

Cancellation policy: CCMoA must be notified 1 week prior for refund.