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Two Day Workshop: Painting from Photographs with George Scribner, Disney Imagineer

Saturday, August 23 from 10:00 AM 4:00 PM

Age

18+

Class Details

Schedule

Saturday, August 23 – Sunday, August 24, 2025
10 AM – 4 PM

Instructor

George Scribner

Location

276 East Napa Street
Sonoma, CA 95476

Ages

Adults

Skill Levels

All Levels
Not sure which level is right for you? Click here.

Registration Cost

$220 registration fee

About the class

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to paint from photographs, guided by special guest instructor George Scribner, a renowned Disney Imagineer and accomplished painter. Over two days, you’ll benefit from George’s expert advice and practical techniques in a fun, supportive atmosphere, leaving the workshop with newfound confidence and inspiration. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have painting experience, this class is designed to welcome all skill levels.

Suggested Medium: Water-mixable oil paints (but feel free to bring acrylics or traditional oil paints if you already have them and are comfortable using them). Please view the Supply List to learn what to bring to class. Note: Easels are available in the studio.

This two day workshop is divided into THREE parts.

PART ONE. George will talk about what type of camera equipment he uses, including cell phones, still and video cameras and some things to look out for including taking photographs at night. 

PART TWO. In the second part of the workshop he’ll talk about how to prepare the photo, either as a print or working from a computer image. In the workshop you’ll work from printed still images that will be provided. (If you have an image you’d like to paint from that’s fine.) You’re encouraged to try and work from a photo with strong lights and dark values and sufficient color information. 

PART THREE. Will focus on the actual process of painting from the photograph including tips on transferring the image to your canvas. George will also cover probably the biggest problem working from a photo – Focus. Unlike a photograph, which is generally all in focus, the human eye sees roughly 20% in focus and the rest is peripheral vision and slightly blurred so the key is to paint like your eyes see and not what the photograph is telling you.

The workshop will begin with a short slideshow and a simple demonstration painting from a photo.

Note: There will be a one-hour lunch break each day. Bring a bag lunch or plan to grab a quick bite at a nearby location.

About the instructor

George Scribner

Instructor / Artist

I was born and raised in Panama City, Republic of Panama and in 1977 moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in animation. I joined Walt Disney Feature Animation as a character animator in 1983.
I directed Oliver and Company, a full length animated feature that was released in 1988. I worked as a concept and story artist on numerous projects including The Lion King, Fantasia Continued and Dinosaur. I’m currently a contractor at Walt Disney Imagineering as a concept artist
and Animation Director.

For the last fifteen years I’ve been teaching painting workshops at numerous studios in the States and overseas, including Workshops in the Republic of Panama, Trinidad, Uruguay and Shanghai. I also teach ongoing painting workshops at Walt Disney Imagineering in Los Angeles.

https://www.scribnerart.com/
https://www.instagram.com/georgescribner/?hl=en

Class FAQ

All Memberships(Excluding the $50/year tier) receive 10% off any purchase above $40. You should have received your discount code in your membership confirmation email.

If you have any questions regarding the use of your code, you can contact Sean Baskin at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org or call the office at (707)938-4626.

Not a member? View more information about our monthly and yearly plans here.

The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.

  • All Levels
  • Welcomes participants from beginning through advanced. Instructor provides a balanced and flexible curriculum suitable for participants with any level of experience.
  • Beginning
  • Participant has little to no experience with this medium and needs or expects guidance at every step during the class. Participant wants to learn about materials, techniques, and vocabulary of the medium.
  • Intermediate
  • Participant is comfortable with the medium and expects both guidance and time to work alone with the medium.
  • Advanced
  • Participant is very confident with all aspects of the medium. Participant is self-motivated; ready to experiment and develop their artistic voice.

We ask that you notify us at least 10 business days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 business days notice, we will not be able to provide a full refund. A flat cancellation fee of $15 will be charged to cover the transaction fee.

Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee, or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.

Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org to request a late addition.

We are always looking for new instructors. You can find more information about the process here, or fill out the form directly here.

You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.

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