Short course
Traditional Painting Methods Short Course
Course description
Course overview
Discover the art of painting with this immersive three-day course, where you’ll explore the fundamental techniques and materials behind oil, egg tempera and watercolour painting.
Taught through a combination of demonstrations, hands-on exercises and guided practice, this course will take you through the process of preparing your own painting surfaces using traditional methods, mixing animal glue, gesso and starch to create the ideal grounds for each medium.
During the course, you will learn about the unique characteristics of egg tempera and master its delicate layering and luminosity. You will also gain an insight into the richness and depth of oil painting, including glazing and impasto techniques, and the transparency and fluidity of watercolour, refining your control over washes and brushwork.
The course is ideal for artists who would like a deeper understanding of their materials, whether they are beginners wanting a strong foundation or experienced painters looking to refine their craftsmanship. As well as building technical skills, you will gain valuable insight into pigment properties, drying times and preservation methods to ensure the longevity of your work. By the end of the course, you will have created a series of studies and a final piece, applying your newfound knowledge with confidence.
Who this course is for
This course is designed for artists, designers and creatives who want to deepen their understanding of traditional painting techniques and materials. It is ideal for painters who are interested in historical methods, surface preparation and the technical aspects of oil, egg tempera and watercolour painting.
The course is suitable for beginners with some basic painting experience as well as intermediate artists looking to refine their skills and knowledge of materials. No prior experience is required, but a basic familiarity with painting, such as handling brushes and mixing colours, will be beneficial.
Key information
Topics covered
- Surface preparation: traditional methods for preparing painting supports, including rabbit skin glue, gesso and starch
- Painting techniques: fundamental methods for oil, egg tempera and watercolour, including layering, glazing and brushwork
- Pigments and binders: understanding how different binders (oil, egg yolk, gum arabic) affect pigment properties and behaviour
Learning outcomes
- Prepare painting surfaces using traditional methods, including rabbit skin glue, gesso and starch
- Understand the differences between oil, egg tempera and watercolour in terms of application, drying time and longevity
- Mix and handle egg tempera paint, applying it in fine layers to create luminosity and depth
- Apply fundamental oil painting techniques, including fat-over-lean principles, glazing and impasto
- Control transparency and layering in watercolour using wet-on-wet and dry brush techniques
- Identify how different binders affect pigment properties and behaviour in each medium
- Utilise appropriate brushwork and tools for each painting technique
- Gain insight into the historical and contemporary applications of each medium
- Understand best practices for drying, varnishing and preserving paintings
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
- Notebook and pen for taking notes
- Apron or old clothing to protect from paint and adhesives
- A selection of brushes: fine soft brushes for egg tempera, bristle brushes for oil painting, natural/synthetic brushes for watercolour
Optional materials (if you have them):
- Any preferred portable paints (oil, egg tempera or watercolour)
- Personal palettes or mixing trays
- Any specific pigments or mediums you like to work with
Tutor
Gabriel Chaim
Gabriel came to the UK in 2017 to study MA Painting at UAL's Wimbledon College of Arts. A second MA in Visual Islamic and Traditional Arts followed, with a more technical and traditional approach, at the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, nowadays known as the King's Foundation, School of Traditional Arts. Gabriel has been delivering short courses since 2021, and also worked as Specialist Painting Technician at UAL's Camberwell College of Arts (2022 - 2023). Most recently, he has delivered a short course in partnership with the Royal Collection Trust and the King's School of Traditional Arts on Silverpoint Drawing, based on Hans Holbein and the Tudor Court exhibitions, which are currently on display at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace.
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