Master Study: Recreating Emily Carr’s Vision in Acrylic Paint

There’s nothing quite like the smell of wet paint and the satisfying scratch of a brush against the palette. For us Rogue Artists, the best kind of connectivity isn't found scrolling a feed—it’s found together in a studio, elbow-to-elbow, covered in paint.

This week, we are diving deep into a true Master Study: the incredible works of Canadian artist Emily Carr. Known for her profound connection to the landscape and her status as an early proto-environmentalist, Carr’s paintings captured the wild spirit of British Columbia. Today’s challenge is to recreate her beautiful 1938 piece, “Mrs. Jones’ Farm.”

If you’re looking for a hands-on project that will stretch your skills in composition, value, and blending, this class is for you. Michael Markowsky guides us through the entire process, demonstrating how to take a historical image and translate its spirit onto a fresh canvas using acrylics.

Getting Started: The Blueprint

The journey starts with the image transfer. While you could attempt to sketch out the entire composition by hand, the instructor suggests a huge time-saver: downloading the free template. This allows you to get the initial outline onto your canvas, giving you a perfect structural guide before the first brushstroke touches the surface.

The process then moves into careful layering. First, we apply an imprimatura—a thin base coat—to stain the canvas and unify the color field. From there, the work is divided into passes: the background, the foreground, and the finishing touches. This structured approach is key to building depth and achieving that rich, painterly quality that defines a truly skilled landscape painting.

Whether you are a seasoned oil painter or just picking up a watercolor brush, the techniques shown here—from initial washes to final glazing—are accessible and deeply rewarding. It’s a perfect exercise in building up value and realizing the depth of a still life or landscape.

Your Studio Toolkit: Supplies and Resources

The beauty of this class is that it is designed to be comprehensive, providing everything you need to jump right into the action. If you are looking to learn to paint or draw, the resources provided are phenomenal:

• The Video: Watch Michael Markowsky tackle the full process step-by-step.

Keep the Creativity Flowing

Remember, Rogue Artists exists to get you into rooms with other believers. This master study is a wonderful starting point, but the journey never ends when the paint dries. If you loved this tutorial, take a photo of your finished piece and share it in the community group. That's where the real magic happens!

Ready to get your hands dirty? Find an Art Angel near you who can guide you through a hands-on workshop. List your own studio, claim a creator profile, or book a local class. Let's keep the art flowing, together.