Caitlin Winner
I combine photographs, sketches and art historical references to build large-scale narrative paintings about the people and places in my life.
When I’m not painting, I teach other painters the process I developed to invent, compose, and scale ambitious paintings of their own.
How I Work
My paintings usually begin with photographs of the people and places in my life. I look to art history for symbolism, patterns, inspiration, and to see how other painters have solved similar problems.
I take dozens, sometimes hundreds, of photographs, then cut them apart and recombine them in Photoshop to build a scene that contains more than a single snapshot. I make small painted studies to test color and see if I’m excited enough about the composition to keep going.
I use a projector to determine the final scale and begin painting freehand. I bring in my Drawing Guide later, when I want more structure and specificity. As the painting develops, I try to exercise restraint: how much information can I leave out? I’m always looking for the simplest, most poetic version of a color or shape.
Unstretched
A painting membership with Caitlin Winner.
Explore new lessons, join live studio visits, and get feedback on your work.
Enrollment is currently closed. Join the waitlist to hear when we open again.
Free for Painters
The Drawing Guide is a tool I developed to help correct my drawing after the original transfer lines have been painted over. I use it whenever something feels off and I need to see what to do next.