Date: Thursdays, starts 4 May 2023, 7:00-9:00pm
Course length: 10 weeks*
Price: £205
Tutor: Sebastian Aplin
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Painting is harder than it looks! In fact, a whole new appraisal of how we see things, and translate this experience onto canvas is needed.
In this course you will learn the basic theory of how to relate colour and light, define objects through contrast and design a dramatic composition. By the end of this course you will have learned that there is a structure to figurative painting and also a reason why paintings are attractive. Many of these theories will surprise you and will make you approach the painting process in a new way.
In this course we will look at the mechanisms paintings of the last 400 years have used to make them great and we will be taking practical measures to build their discoveries into our painting practice. Every week we will have a new focus of paint application, theory and subject matter to challenge us.
By the end of the course you will see that the whole process of painting goes far beyond copying and you will now have the tools at your disposal to embark with confidence on your own painting projects.
What do students need to bring with them?
Students can choose whether they bring in oil or acrylic paints which need to be of a reputable make (Windsor and Newton, Rowney etc) but can be “student quality”. The basic colours needed are Red, Blue, Yellow, black and white (primary colours). If students want a fuller palette the following colours are recommended: Titanium white, lemon yellow, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, Payne’s grey, burnt umber.
Students need to bring in a range of medium and large brushes and a good size plastic or disposable palette. If using oil paint LOW ODOUR solvents are to be brought such as W & N “Sansodor” or “Zest it”. For oil painting hogs hair brushes are recommended over synthetic brushes.
Rags, small sealable pots, palette knives and A3 size (approx.) canvas boards will also be needed.
*Please note that there will be a break week on Thursday 1 June (Spring Bank Holiday week) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Thursday 13 July.
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Date: Fridays, starts 5 May 2023, 7:00-9:00pm
Course length: 10 weeks*
Price: £205
Tutor: Sebastian Aplin
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
By the end of this course you will feel comfortable painting a portrait from a photograph as well as painting the human figure from life.
We will look at the decisions that will allow you to paint convincing portraits and figure paintings, alternating between portraiture, using carefully chosen digital images, and life model figure painting. The challenges and advantages of painting from life and from flat images will increase your experience and understanding of controlling form while also extending your expressive capabilities.
We will look in depth at appropriate colour palettes to strengthen your composition and how to control colour and value contrast to make the model appear grounded “in space” as opposed to floating on the canvas. We will constantly refer to examples of how this has been achieved by great artists and investigate how to simplify and dramatize the outcome.
What do students need to bring with them?
Students can choose whether they bring in oil or acrylic paints which need to be of a reputable make (Windsor and Newton, Rowney etc) but can be “student quality”. Your palette will consist of titanium white, zinc white, ivory black, raw umber, cadmium red, yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Paper will be provided but students are encouraged to bring in some recycled cardboard primed with PVA sealant. A3 canvas boards or oil/acrylic pads are a good alternative.
Students need to bring in a range of medium and large brushes and a good size palette or dish for mixing colours. If using oil paint LOW ODOUR solvents are to be brought such as W & N “Sansodor” or “Zest it”. For oil painting hogs hair brushes are recommended over synthetic brushes.
Rags and small sealable pots will also be needed.
*Please note that there will be a break week on Friday 2 June (Spring Bank Holiday week) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Friday 14 July.
Book Now