About Caitlin All Courses

Everyone Has a Story to Tell: Inventing Narrative Paintings with Modern Tools 

$397 USD

Self-paced | Begin anytime

This foundational course will show you how to turn your own photos, memories, and ideas into meaningful narrative paintings.

We’ll cover where to look for inspiration and how to take strong reference photos. You’ll learn how to build a composition in Photoshop, pulling ideas from art history and create a small-scale painting that can stand alone or be scaled up later.

Perfect if you're just getting started or returning to your practice and want a fresh, intentional approach to your work.

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"It was eye-opening to see Caitlin collage multiple photographs into a single, satisfying composition—something I’d heard of but never seen broken down so clearly. Her way of teaching composition through art history and her own process really helped me see differently." - Erin McIntosh 

This course is for you if:

  • You have ideas you want to turn into paintings but you’re not sure where to start

  • You feel stuck using a single photo as a reference

  •  You want to learn how to use digital tools in your process

  • You’re self-taught or returning to painting after a break, and you’re looking for structure and inspiration

A Peek in the Course

Art isn’t made in a vacuum. We’re always in conversation with what’s come before. While working on Straw House, I traced another artist’s work back to a Pompeian fresco and realized we were both borrowing from the same ancient source. This preview explores how ideas echo across time, and how your own story might connect to that lineage.

 

Testimonials

Risa T.

As a self-taught novice, I used to feel like I was ‘cheating’ if I manipulated or photographed my paintings to see them more clearly. Hearing Caitlin’s perspective gave me real confidence in my process.

Barbara L .

This course went beyond my expectations in many ways. I learned something new each week and walked away with skills I’ll keep using.

What else is in the course?

 🧭 10+ Hours of Lessons 
A clearly structured curriculum that guides you through the process

🧰 Tutorials 
Photoshop for painters, shooting source images with your phone and more

🎨 Demos 
Watch how I use Photoshop and gouache to test ideas, colors, and prep for large scale

📄 Downloadable Resources 
Photo reference guide, slides and weekly homework prompts

🕒 Lifetime Access 
Start anytime and revisit anytime. Your access will never expire.

🖼️ Bonus Material 
Download my Photoshop file and watch my painting evolve after the course.

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After this course you'll be able to:
  • Blend references, sketches and photos into one cohesive composition
  • Use Photoshop (even as a beginner) to test out ideas
  • Make a gouache study that works as a blueprint for a larger painting
  • Invent figurative paintings about your life and story from your unique perspective

Frequently Asked Questions