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I combine photographs, sketches and art historical references to build large-scale narrative paintings about the people and places in my life.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.
Study With Me
The Narrative Painting Method returns Spring 2027
Once a year in the spring I teach a live course for painters who want to invent, compose, and scale ambitious narrative paintings from their own photographs.
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.