Figure Oil Painting Short Course
Course description
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.
Level: 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.
Who should take this course?
- 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
- Those who want to strengthen their skills and portfolio in order to apply for study at art colleges
- Beginners are welcome
Entry requirements: None
Please note: This course is for students aged 18 and older. Figure Oil Painting includes nude models.
Clear, easy to understand lessons:
- Our tutors will explain things in easy to understand, accessible English. If they need to use any special terminology they will make sure they explain what they mean.
- New methods will be shown to students through live demonstrations, in a way that’s crystal clear and easy to understand.
Experience life on campus
- Network and share ideas with students from across the globe
- Access the technology and materials relevant to your discipline
- Shop in our college shops for any materials you might need
- Ask questions of your tutor in real time
- Receive feedback and critique on your assignments
- Experience the many sights of London on your down time
A certificate of completion:
- You've put the work in so we want to make sure you have something to show for it!
- As long as you attend a minimum of 80% of your classes, we will provide you with a certificate of attendance.
- We always recommend you attend all of the classes so that you get the most out of the experience!
- Certificates are great to complement your cv.
Available dates
Details
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
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.
Materials
Please bring to the first class:
- Five stretched primed canvases measuring 20 x 24 inches approximately.
- A full range of Artists' oil colours: White, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Venetian Red, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Veridian Green, Sap Green, Colbalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Cadmium Red, Windsor Violet, Cadmium Yellow & Lemon Yellow, Winsor Orange and Raw Umber
- Palette
- Purified linseed oil.
- Brushes and kitchen roll.
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.
Meet the Tutor
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