Enrollment for Still Life: To See is to Notice is now open!
Registration is open until 10 PM on Friday, October 16 or until all available spots are taken.
Registration Is Now Open!
Study painting with Duane Keiser for a month.
Steep yourself in a still life painting.
Become a more versatile painter.
Connect with fellow painters.
Exhibit your work.
Time Is A Factor
Enrollment in Still Life: To See is to Notice only opens once a year.
Each class only has limited space to make sure I'm able to provide you with the support and help you need.
Registration is open until 10 PM on Friday, October 16 or until all available spots are taken.
From Duane Keiser,
October 2026
Hello Fellow Painters,
If you've been following me online for the last few weeks, you have some notion of what my course and The Still Life Challenge is about.
The principles I teach in this course and the approach I take to perception and practice, are a distillation of what I have been teaching to my students over the past forty years of teaching in colleges and workshops.
For one month, I'll personally be there to answer questions and help guide you. You will also look over my shoulder as I work on my own still life-- that's 30 sessions of painting. Unlike a one-session demo, you'll be able to see the good, the bad and the ugly as I work through various painting problems.
This course is quite flexible in terms of scheduling. All my lessons are immediately accessible, my painting sessions are recorded (as will be the Zoom calls) and you can always stay in touch via our online group.
Here's Exactly What You're Getting
The first module sets the table (so to speak) with a discussion on the nature of perception and attention as it relates to painting a still life.
The second module is an overview of The Still Life Challenge. I go into detail about the "rules" and my way of thinking about iteration and intuition in a longterm painting.
The third module is all about preparation: composition, subject matter, surface size, materials, and recommended reading during your month of painting.
The fourth module is where we start painting. You'll begin with a small study of your still life set-up to prepare for the longer-term painting.
The fifth module contains an assortment of techniques to help you work and re-work a painting over a long period of time to accommodate your shifting perceptions. I discuss direct vs indirect painting (and use an historically accurate copy I made of an underpainting by Titian to illustrate this) and tactics I've learned to manipulate edges, paint-out sections, use tacky paint, and how to use glazing and scumbling within a direct painting. Lastly, I'll share with you how I use transparent white in my work-- an under-utilized paint IMO. The sixth module has my three tried and true lessons on how to see color, edges and highlights better.
The seventh module contains some examples of my personal projects and the stories behind them.
The last module, Duane's Sessions, will contain 30 sessions of me working on a still life (I'll reveal one each day.)
“Many thanks for your Still Life Course. It proved to be an interesting model and entirely different to any other online courses I have taken.”
— Ruth, 2025 class
“After watching you paint your loaf of bread over again (gasp) I felt confident enough to make bold changes in my own work and it didn’t even hurt that much. That was the most valuable learning moment for me.”
— Laurie, 2024 class
“Thank you so much for such a challenging course. I learned a lot about how effective it is to keep looking at the same set up daily, and to keep noticing new things in the actual still life or in my actual painting to date."
-Iris, 2024 class
also...
Three Zoom calls for some short talks about still life painting and to answer your questions.
Access to an online community dedicated to the Still Life Challenge where you can ask questions, post works in progress, and see how everyone else is doing.
So not only are you getting my lessons and sessions, you're also getting consistent interactive support.
and...
You can continue to access the course after it's over. This means you will basically own the course (rather than just rent it.) You'll be able to refer back to the lessons, sessions and zoom calls to help with your painting practice in the future.
Also, everyone can show their painting in the online exhibit at the end of the course.
Quick FAQS:
What level of painter do I need to be?
if you have a working knowledge of painting, you can take this course
What medium?
Oil or acrylic are best. You will be making lots of changes to your painting and you'll need a paint robust enough to keep up.
How much time is required?
My course is designed to be flexible schedule-wise. After the initial onboarding and watching the lessons, a minimum of a half hour per day working on your still life (most days will obviously go much longer depending on what you feel your still life needs.)
Will I have access to the course materials after it's done?
Yes! I feel it is important that this be more than just a workshop that comes and goes. Not only is this more immersive than a weekend workshop, you can also revisit the course long after it is over.
What's the timeline?
The first day of painting for the Still Life Challenge will be Monday, October 19. In the days leading up to the start of the still life challenge, you'll go through the recorded video lessons. The last day will be November 17.
Do I need to be on Facebook?
No, I give my class their own private online community.
What if I can't make the Zoom calls?
Don't worry, they will be recorded and included in the course.
What this course isn't:
This course is NOT a step-by-step approach to making a pretty picture. That is, I do not put you on rails to get you to some preordained destination. It is an exploration of perception and painting and you will have the freedom to paint and experiment and make mistakes. This is what makes it challenging- you will not be copying, you will be painting. Also, like anything that is truly challenging, you may or may not get the results you want right away.
Study painting with Duane Keiser for a month
Learn to be a more versatile painter; better observer with Duane's unique Still Life Challenge
Three Zoom calls spread throughout the month for some short talks and to answer questions
Enjoy a private online community dedicated to painting and the Still Life Challenge.
Show your work in the online Still Life Challenge Exhibit.
Access the course materials even after the course is over.
watch daily recorded video sessions of Duane painting his own still life from beginning to end
paint and learn when you want at your own pace
Schedule
During the first days after sign-up this week, you'll log-in to the course and the group, go through the first several lessons, and get situated for the start of the still life challenge on Monday, October 19th. The schedule is very flexible-- you will work on your own still life daily at the time you choose.
Sunday, October 18 at 7 PM Eastern Zoom 1
Monday, October 19 The Still Life Challenge officially starts.
Sunday, November 1 at 7 PM Eastern Zoom 2
Sunday, November 15 at 7 PM Eastern Zoom 3
Tuesday, November 17 the last day of painting
Friday, November 20 upload your painting to me by this date
Sunday, November 22 the online student exhibit will open
Here's What To Do Next
Simply click on the link below, fill out the form with your details, and complete your purchase.
Enrollment in Still Life: To See is to Notice costs $397 one-time.
If you'd like to join the next cohort, click below and enroll!
Here's What Happens After That
Once you've filled out the form at the bottom of this page, you'll receive an email with your login details.
From there, you'll have 24/7 access to all the course materials and can go through everything at your own pace.
You have complete flexibility and control over when and how you learn.
You'll also be plugged into a community of like-minded people.
You can join my Q&A calls, where I personally answer your questions and help you out.
And don't worry... each live Q&A call is recorded and accessible in your member area even if you can't join us live.
Again, Time Is A Factor
Enrollment in Still Life: To See is to Notice only opens once a year.
Each class only has limited space to make sure I'm able to provide you with the support and help you need.
Registration is open until 10 PM on Friday, October 16 or until all available spots are taken.
Enrollment in Still Life: To See is to Notice costs a one-time payment of $397 and includes lifetime access to the course material.
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