Rebecca Martin-The Wonderful World of Tablescapes
Note: Refunds minus the credit card transaction fee are available up to four weeks before the beginning of the workshop. After that, the student must find a replacement and negotiate payment with the replacement. If you need to cancel, contact us. The team may be able to help find a replacement. Please see the LAA Cancellation and Refund Policy.
LAA Members: Use your member code during check-out for a discounted price. The member code can be found in your membership confirmation email and any LAA newsletter.
The Wonderful World of Tablescapes
Oct 18, 2025 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Instructor: Rebecca Martin
LOUISVILLE ART CENTER
801 Grant Ave, Louisville, CO 80027
Member $55
Non-member $75
You may not have encountered the word “Tablescape”. I use it to refer to any set-up on a table that you can turn into a painting. The possibilities are limitless. You can set up a traditional still life, a food theme, a game theme, an every-day object theme, a featured table cloth or a featured floral arrangement, etc. You can view samples of my tablescapes by visiting my website, www.rebeccamartinfineart.com, and clicking on “Food and Tablescapes”. I will be adding additional paintings each month before the workshop.
In the morning, I will do a short demo on how to get started. We will take a look at the photos you have brought and select one to start your own tablescape.
Rebecca Martin
I have been a piano teacher and performer of classical music and jazz for over 40 years. During all that time, I also had a passion for art and making stuff. As a child, I made doll clothes which transtioned into making my own clothes and clothes for my friends and family. I crocheted, needlepointed, made dolls and quilted. In college, I studied piano in Paris and went to every museum many, many times. I took art history classes and dreamed of being an artist. In 1995, I bought some watercolors and painted large paintings, mostly of fish, so that I would have some original art in my home.
In 2014, I began to paint in earnest and my love of art quickly turned into a passion for oil painting! I found Jeanne Hougen, a fine instructor, at pARTiculars Art Gallery in Lafayette, CO. I love to paint everything from landscapes to florals, birds, pets, food and city scenes. The possibilities are limitless! I am so grateful to have found this passion.
I paint both in my studio and en plein air. I am happiest outdoors, so painting outside suits me very well. Living in Colorado means you have beautiful landscapes to paint everywhere you look.
I am an accomplished pianist and liken the feel of fingers on ivory keys to the glide of the brush across the canvas. Being a disciplined musician paved the way for becoming an artist. I’m still teaching piano, performing and painting every day. I am thankful to live this creative life!
Some of Rebecca’s work:
MATERIALS:
Here is a list of materials I love. These are the colors and brands I love today but I am constantly trying new things. You do not need to purchase everything on the list. Bring your own favorite colors as well.
PAINT (Oil) color and brand:
- Titanium White M. Graham
- Warm White Gamblin
- Cadmium Yellow Winsor and Newton
- Cadmium Lemon Rembrandt
- Cadmium Orange Gamblin
- Ice Blue Richeson
- Dioxazine Purple Winsor Newton
- Caribbean Blue Old Holland
- Sap Green Winsor Newton
- Ultramarine Blue Winsor Newton
- Permanent Rose Winsor Newton
- Quinacridone Magenta Gamblin
- Transparent Oxide Orange Rembrandt
- Transparent Oxide Red Rembrandt
- Transparent Oxide Brown Rembrandt
- Chromatic Black Gamblin
- Napthol Red Gamblin
BRUSHES:
I prefer synthetic brushes but bring what you are comfortable with in a selection of sizes. Be sure to bring a smaller brush for sketching your design in paint on the canvas. Some brands I like:
- Silver Ruby Satin
- Princeton Velvet Touch
- Princeton Heritage
- Winsor and Newton Monarch
OTHER SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT:
- Palette knife for mixing color.
- Kemper Wipe Out Tool for sketching, signing and wiping out mistakes! Dick Blick Art #30312-1062 (you can use any comparable tool with rubber tips)
- Gamsol Mineral spirits: I use this very sparingly! If you are using any medium, make sure you have a lid to cover it.
- Table Easel (if you sit while painting). If you prefer to stand, a standing easel of some kind.
- Canvas, board or paper for your painting. Bring whatever size you are comfortable with.
- Ruler for marking your grid on paper if you are using a printed out photo.
- Palette for mixing.
- Paints (colors above), brushes, brush cleaner, paper towels and a bag to hold your trash.
- A notebook and pencil for taking notes and drawing a grid on your photo.
- A reference photo either printed or on your phone or iPad. Wifi is available at the Center. I will have photo references available if you need one.
- I do my sketching directly on the canvas with paint. If you prefer to sketch beforehand, bring a sketch pad.
I highly recommend a grid system for editing your photo before you begin to paint. I have been using ART GRID by Jackson’s Art but it is no longer available for new purchase. Here are three options from the Apple App store:
- Tracing Buddy
- Grid #
- DrawinGrid
All are free, but you can upgrade to eliminate advertisements and gain a few more features. Android probably has similar apps.
Check out my tablescapes on the website www.rebeccamartinfineart.com (click on Food and Tablescapes). I will be posting new paintings up until the workshop.
The Wonderful World of Tablescapes
Member $55
Non-member $75
LAA Members: To get the discounted price, use your member code during check-out. The Member Code can be found in your membership confirmation email and any LAA Newsletter.
Questions? Go to the Contact Us form and be sure to specify this workshop with your question.