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Short course

Figure Oil Painting Short Course

Figure Oil Painting Short Course | On campus
Master figure oil painting. Learn techniques for painting the human form in oil, from anatomy to expressive brushwork.

Next start months
August 2026
Tutor(s)
Guy Noble
Price
From £750.00

Course description

Course overview

In the Figure Oil Painting short course, you will be encouraged to explore all the techniques that oil allows for painting the figure. Life painting has been a central preoccupation for artists for hundreds of years and continues to fascinate new generations.

This incredible tradition has produced images as varied as paintings by Michelangelo to the extraordinary work of Picasso. This course will equip students with both practical know-how, a deeper understanding of this tradition and of how contemporary artists work with a life model.

Over the first 2 days we will make several small paintings exploring the areas outlined above working with the model in the studio. We will also visit a gallery, either the Tate or National, and look closely at some examples of figure painting.

Over the following 3 days we will have one model assuming the same pose. This will allow us to develop a single painting that breaks new ground for each student.

Who this course is for

This course is suitable for students with some previous experience who want to learn new techniques to push their practice further. Undergraduate art and design students wishing to improve their painting skills and those who want to strengthen their skills and portfolio to apply for study at art colleges.

The course is suitable for students of all levels, including those with some previous experience. Numbers are kept to a maximum of 15 (sometimes fewer), which gives time for the tutor to go round and give one-to-one advice according to individual needs.

Please also note that Figure Oil Painting includes nude models.

This is a summer-school only short course running only once a year. We encourage early bookings to secure your place.

Key information

Topics covered

  • How to apply colour, texture and layers to figure painting
  • Colour: mixing and practical aspects of colour theory and examine its usefulness
  • Scale: how the size and scale of the image affects the work
  • Composition: how to arrange the model on the canvas
  • Drawing with paint: the relationship between drawing and painting

Learning outcomes

  • A deep understanding of figure oil painting
  • Learn how contemporary artists work with a life model
  • Digital badge and certificate of attendance

Materials

  • Three stretched primed canvases measuring 20”/18" x 24”/20" inches approximately - a larger canvas will be need (await instructions)
  • A full range of Artists' oil colours: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Veridian Green, Colbalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow and  Cadmium Lemon Yellow, Raw Umber and Ultramarine
  • Palette - at least A3+ size and flat
  • Brushes 3 big, 3 medium and 3 small and kitchen roll
  • Sicative (Liquin or Cobalt driers) 250ml

For Health and Safety reasons students are not allowed to bring any solvents to the studio. We will provide low odour mineral spirits for diluting paints and cleaning brushes. Any kind of spray products, turpentine or white spirits are banned from the building and the internal courtyard.

Tutor

Guy Noble

Guy Noble is an experienced tutor and a practising artist who has exhibited internationally. He studied at the Byam Shaw, Spain and Italy. Guy teaches a number of painting and drawing courses at Central Saint Martins, including Abstraction Painting, Painting and Personal Inspiration and Introduction to Drawing.
In 2015 Thames and Hudson and Prestel published '100 Master Classes in Drawing'. You can check out his website at www.guynoble.com

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