A two-day course of portrait painting in oil paint based upon observation of the model. This course is ideal for both beginners and more experienced artists and aims to provide a facility and understanding of the basic concepts and processes of drawing and painting, while supporting your own style and aspirations for your work.

The tutor will demonstrate basic concepts of drawing and painting a portrait and will be referring to the great masters of portrait painting, past and present, to inform learning.

Day 1 You will begin with a series of portrait drawings on paper to establish an understanding of the structure of the head.

You will then begin a painting by thinly sketching in Raw Umber and Venetian Red oil paint, leading to the application of thicker oil paint.

By the end of the first day, you will have painted in the foundations ready for the following day’s painting. Each day ends with all work being lined up together to enable us to gain a different perspective on the work and to view it in relation to your fellow students.

Day 2 You will begin the second day by evaluating your previous day’s painting. You will stand back from your painting to enable you to view both the model and your painting side-by-side.

During the course, you will evaluate drawing, shape recognition, tonal values, colour temperature, basic anatomy and space recognition. You will also give consideration to what we regard as the visual priorities of the painting.

The tutor will provide continual individual assistance. Questions arising from an individual’s paintings are usually pertinent to everyone and, if so, they will be discussed.

You will endeavour to create a portrait drawing and a completed oil paint portrait during the two days.

By the end of the course, you will have learned:

• How to create a portrait painting from start to finish
• The importance of drawing
• Basic measuring
• An understanding of the basic concepts of construction and ways of looking to create a portrait, including planes, shape and edges, modelling of form and the inclusion of detail
• An understanding of basic anatomy in relation to shape recognition
• Tonal values, colour temperature
• An understanding of palette organisation, basic colour mixing and laying down of paint
• Which brushes to use, when and how

Included

The College will provide most of the materials, including a 40cm x 30cm canvas, paper and low odour solvent per student, plus some oil paints and charcoal to share amongst the group. The course fee also includes the cost of the model who will sit for the course.

What students need to bring

Artist quality paint brushes, long flats and long filberts in either hog hair or nylon. Your tutor recommends the following sizes:

• 1 brush size 10
• 2 brushes size 6
• 2 brushes size 4
• 2 brushes size 2
• 1 fan brush size 2
• 1 small pointed brush (sable or nylon )
• 1 palette knife
• 1 double dipper
• An apron

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Student registration: 10.30am - 11am
Course teaching: 11am – 5.15pm 
Morning session: 11am - 1pm
Lunch break: 1pm - 2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes: 5.15pm  
 

Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments

Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.

Access

If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety

Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms & conditions below.

Disclaimer

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions