Modern Nocturnes: Oil Painting Night Effects 

Instructor: Renae Wang 

Max: 20 Students

Date: October 18th, 2025 / 5-10pm (including a 20 min. break)

(Please arrive 20 minutes early. Parking is ample and easy. )

Instructor Bio:

Renae Wang is a California-based painter working in oil and gouache. She is known for her nocturnal landscapes of “non-places” like gas stations, freeways and airports. Her work explores the theme of isolation in public spaces of transience, and is characterized by rich colors and compositions in first-person perspective. The viewer often becomes a part of the narrative in these nocturnal paintings. 

Renae received a BFA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MFA from the Laguna College of Art and Design, where she currently works as an adjunct professor. She is also an instructor at New Masters Academy. She was featured in the Southwest Art Magazine's article 21 Under 31, and has exhibited at sites like the Salmagundi Club, Hilbert Museum of California Art, California Art Club, Laguna Art Museum, and Laguna Plein Air Painters Association.

Workshop Description + Objective

In this workshop, students will explore the unique challenges and beauty of painting nighttime scenes. The class covers the basic techniques of landscape painting with an emphasis on creating night time effects and rendering artificial light sources. Students will study on site from life, and use photo references to create nocturne paintings in a studio setting. 

Students will learn how to create a convincing depiction of the night from value, color, and composition. Topics include applying the right value system to capture darkness, using color design to enhance the atmosphere of night time, simplifying complex forms into manageable designs, and creating luminous focal points in the composition. 

By the end of the workshop, students will produce one night-themed painting, along with a stronger grasp of how to convey mystery and atmosphere through their nocturnes. Students of all skill levels are welcomed. 

THE WORKSHOP WILL INCLUDE:

I. INTRODUCTION (~ 10 min.)

Renae introduces history of nocturne painting 

II. PAINTING DEMO Part 1: Value and Design  (30 min.)

Renae will start her nocturne demonstration, talking about composition, value design, and completing a monochromatic underpainting. 

III. THUMBNAIL SKETCHING (20 min.)

Students will do composition and value studies from reference photos. They will receive feedback from Renae and finalize their design for the painting. 

IV. UNDER PAINTING (40 min)

Using the value studies they just completed, students will do a monochromatic underpainting of the nocturne. .

V. PAINTING DEMO Part 2: Color Block In and Design  (25 min.)

Renae will continue her nocturne demonstration, talking about color design, color temperature, and using a limited palette for nocturne. 

—- BREAK —- (~20 min.)

VI. Student Painting (~60 minutes)

Students will work on blocking in their nocturne paintings and receive feedback from Renae.

VII. PAINTING DEMO Part 3: Details and Focal Point  (30 min.)

Renae will finish her nocturne demonstration, showing students how to refine details and build up the focal point. This segment will also cover the techniques of painting glowing artificial lights.

VIII. Student Painting (45 mins)

Students will work on their nocturne paintings and focus on building up the focal point and creating light effects.

CRITIQUE (~20 minutes)

Students will present their nocturnes collectively, and get feedback from Renae and their peers.

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS

• Your Oil Painting Supply Kit 

(Brushes, palette, paint solvent, medium, towels’) 

Bring the paint set that you already have. Renae supplies some supplementary specialty colors for nocturnal effects. 

• Panel or canvas no larger than 9’’ x 12’

• A small sketchbook and drawing supplies

• A list of colors Renae uses for her nocturnes. Feel free to add any of them to your palette if you want to try them out (*Not Required for class) 

• Titanium White

• Cadmium Yellow Light

• Yellow Ochre

• Burnt Umber

• Cadmium Red

• Cadmium Orange

• Alizarin Crimson

• Radiant Red

• Ultramarine

• Cerulean Blue

• Cobalt Turquoise 

• Quinacridone Violet 

• Cadmium Chartreuse

• Viridian

CANCELLATION POLICY:

If you need to cancel, please do so at least 3 days before the workshop. No refunds shorter than 3 days before class. If you cancel within a week, you are entitled to a full refund minus $25.