Click Here to View Recent Workshops and Events

"Your workshop was inspirational, motivational, and full of enthusiasm. Your love and passion for art 'pours' out of you. I appreciate you sharing your passion and gift with us. " - Payge Semmes - Madison, AL

"I feel inspired, enthused, and energized. While at first I felt frustrated because I was not grasping your technique, I now realize that you have helped move my goals to another plane." - Eileen Daniels - Jamestown, KY

"His portraits are magic and he gets better with each one... he gives his all and holds nothing back. He is probably the best teacher to be found. " - Sophia James - New York City, NY

"Shane is one of the most charismatic of teachers. He is extraordinarily giving of his talent and insights, and his teachings will have long-term implications in my work." - Sonia Hale - Wellesley, MA

"The workshop was the best formatted and best organized I have ever seen!" - Carolyn McDade - Kennesaw, GA

Sculpting the Head for Portrait Painters $350

April 19th through 21st, 2012
Nashville, Tennessee

A three day course designed to improve your portrait painting skills through sculpture.

Rick Casali

Artists Rick Casali and Michael Shane Neal will discuss and demonstrate in clay the universal truths about the head regarding proportion, anatomy, and geometric construction. Step by step, students will build their very own "planes head" which will serve as a 3-D guide to painting. This proven method relies on memorization and understanding and students are advised to keep a sketchbook during the course. An excellent precursor to painting the head in oil, this course is scheduled prior to Neal's five day Portrait Painitng Workshop and designed to compliment each other. Space is extremely limited.

For information contact: Shannon Crosslin at (615) 297.0516
Email: msnealstudio@gmail.com

Painting Portraits (Advanced Level) $1,295

April 22-27, 2012
Nashville, Tennessee (The Arts Company)

Michael Shane Neal will be conducting a week long painting workshop in Nashville, Tennessee limited to 15 students. Emphasis will be on painting the portrait for artist with an Advanced level of experience. Students will explore several aspects of painting from traditional technical principles of painting to interpretive painting. An emphasis will be placed on obtaining likeness through both techincal techniques and understanding examining character, gesture and personality as well. Each morning will include demo's and lectures as well as exercises to strengthen and emphasize material covered. The afternoon will be dedicated to applying those principles while painting from live models. Historical artists such as Sargent, Zorn, Sorolla and others will be discussed along with their impact on “brushy realism”. Each day will include easel to easel critiques. A 200 page workbook will be given to each student. Continental breakfast will be served each day.

For students interested in this class who have not taken a class from Neal in the past, please email three examples of your work to be reviewed before acceptance in the workshop.

For information contact: Shannon Crosslin at (615) 297.0516
Email: msnealstudio@gmail.com