Instructor Jennifer Wigmore
Could you talk about the value and relevance of painting courses at a time when the presence of digital and AI-generated images is ubiquitous in visual culture?
Painting has existed for thousands of years. It is an expressive art form that allows for human connection and storytelling. Even though AI and digital art have entered the art world there is no comparison to a painting made by the human hand. We will always want to see and feel the human experience through the human lens. In addition, Paintings do not present well on a screen; much is flattened and lost. Paintings need to be viewed in person to really appreciate the brush work, texture, and scale. These elements giving resonance of the work because they capture the artist’s intent and story. Lastly, I would say that painting courses are necessary as artists are individuals and on their own journey. Without classes or continued practice an artist will not evolve or grow.
© Jennifer Wigmore
What kinds of skills do you teach in the Intermediate Painting Studio: Portraiture course? And, more generally, what is the value of under-painting techniques?
The course is designed to address particular complexities in portraiture and the rendering of the human face. Using a combination of live models and photographs, we cover topics such how to select an image for the painting and transferring it to a surface, creating likeness, exploring light and shadow. We also work through the challenges of rendering hair and backgrounds such as fabric. I encourage underpainting and the use of a limited palette so that artists grasp the images as a whole before fully diving into the painting. Finding the tonal values in a painting before using full colour is like entering the route into your navigator before you go for a drive. Once you figure out the route to your destination, a great deal of the hard work is already done.
If Ever I Saw Your Face, acrylic and oil on panel, 36 x 42 inches, 2010 © Jennifer Wigmore
In your teaching experience, how does taking a painting course enrich people’s observation and problem-solving skills by learning from new approaches and perspectives?
Painting is art form that involves the whole body, it is physical. It requires continued practice to grow. One never truly masters any art form, we only evolve and change with it. Yes, we get better, and are able to do more, but we also find new areas to develop when we invest in the idea that we are always in a state of learning. Every art teacher has something to offer to the student, yet the reason to take class should not be the teacher but also to continue to learn from yourself. I am amazed at what I can do now that I could not do before. Is that because I take classes? Perhaps. But it is more likely because I have invested in a growth mindset that learning is part of enriching my perspectives and understanding my own artistic process.
Lucy, acrylic and oil on panel, 36 x 24 inches, 2017 © Jennifer Wigmore
This winter you will also be teaching Art and Craft Fair Success: How to Sell Your Creative Work. Could you elaborate on the tools and know-how that students are equipped with in this course?
Many artists do not participate in the gallery system and find their way into a career by building their own brand. Yet, we rarely teach artist how to be entrepreneurs. This course is designed to help artists learn how to be self-starters and sell their work at some of the many art and craft fairs available to them. After years of doing the art show circuit, I have picked up many tips on how to navigate these spaces and be successful in a competitive marketplace. The course helps artists understand the unique challenges of art shows and find their client base.
Paint Noodles, acrylic paint, reclaimed nail on panel, 2016 © Jennifer Wigmore
What are some upcoming projects you are working on or looking forward to developing?
As a multi-hyphenate artist, I always have many things going at once. I am teaching quite a bit. I have two classes running at OCAD U School of Continuing Studies this fall, as well as classes out of my studio. At the same time, I am about to send out a screenplay I wrote called Tear Us Apart. I also continue to act. I stared the film Melt My Heart This Christmas and an episode of Murdoch Mysteries, both coming out this holiday season. The 6th and final season of the BBC series Malory Towers is out soon, and the 2nd season of the Amazon series CROSS is coming out in early 2026.
Paint Tongue, reclaimed acrylic paint, 2016. © Jennifer Wigmore
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Website: jenniferwigmore.com
Instagram: @jenniferwigmoreart, @Jenniferwigmore
