The Technique Behind the Quince Paintings
A workshop for painters who wish to deepen their knowledge of painting materials and techniques.
Diethard Sohn’s quince portraits are created using a traditional painting technique whose roots reach back to early panel painting. The workshop focuses on the craftsmanship of a classical painting panel, the preparation of an egg-tempera emulsion, and working with transparent and opaque layers of colour.
Participants do not learn how to paint quinces. Instead, they learn the technical foundations on which the quince portraits are built.
The course conveys centuries-old workshop knowledge that only a small number of artists still apply in this depth today. It combines theoretical foundations with selected practical examples and provides a basis for independently developing traditional painting techniques.
Seminar 1
Painting Panel · Chalk Ground · Emulsion
- Selecting suitable supports
- Sizing and constructing a classical painting panel
- Preparing and applying chalk ground
- Sanding and preparing the painting surface
- Mixing an egg-tempera emulsion
- Pigments, binders and materials
Duration: 4 hours (one day).
Seminar 2
Tempera Painting · Glazes · Group Critique
- Working with egg tempera
- Opaque and transparent layers
- Glazing techniques and layered construction
- Lighting, colour effect and composition
- Practical exercises
- Group critiques and exchange of experience
Duration: 4 hours (one day).
Advanced Workshops and Individual Mentoring
The two intensive workshops convey the theoretical and technical foundations of traditional panel painting. Confident use of these methods develops through personal painting practice. Further workshops and individual studio mentoring are therefore available by arrangement.
The focus is on putting the techniques into practice, accompanying participants’ own work, detailed critiques, and individual technical and artistic questions. The aim is to integrate the foundations step by step into each participant’s personal artistic practice.
Tutor
Diethard Sohn has worked with traditional painting techniques such as egg tempera, chalk ground and classical panel painting for many years. He is particularly known for his detailed quince portraits, in which technical precision, subtle light and a contemporary pictorial approach merge into a distinctive visual language.
Fees and Group Size
Participants: 6–8 people
One course: €200 (one day)
Both courses: €350 (two days)
Materials: €50
Dates 2026
Seminar 1
26 September
Each date is a complete one-day course.
Seminar 2
27 September
Each date is a complete one-day course.
Course 1 and Course 2 each take place from 10:00 to 14:00.
Registration and Venue
Registration is required in advance through the registration page or by email to kontakt@diethard-sohn.com.
Lichtraum West
at Haus von Sissi von West
Bebelstraße 37
70193 Stuttgart