Learn to understand an approach to painting a portrait using the medium of oils. You will complete two or three oil studies, which will reflect an increase in confidence in using the medium (and related materials/equipment). You will gain a greater understanding of painting and drawing from both a live model as well as from photographs and you will take part in exercises that improve your skills in colour mixing, matching tonal values, creating three-dimensional proportions, and pushing the range of saturated hues.

The course will begin with a presentation from your tutor and a review of materials and equipment.

You will be working from a live portrait model during the course on the first full day and from a photographic reference on the second day. The course will be broken down into various sessions, suitable for those new to painting in oils, and you will be provided with group tuition/exercises, tutor demonstrations, and individual one-to-one support throughout.

At the end of the course, there will be a review and a display of the work you produce. You will have completed two or three portrait studies in oil paint.

Included

On this course, the College will supply most of the materials, including:

• Oil paints, disposable palettes, studio safe odourless solvent, oil painting paper and 2 x canvas boards
• Two brushes – Rosemary & Co – short flat synthetic brush, long handle, size 4 and size 0
• Some burnt umber acrylic paint
• The model who will sit for the course

What students need to bring

• Brushes: a selection of short, flat brushes (suitable for painting in oils), plus one large for applying acrylic paint to canvas
• A couple of pointed, round brushes
• Jam jar with a lid
• Apron or painting shirt
• A cardboard/plastic box in which to transport 2/3 wet paintings
• A couple of photographic portrait references to refer to on the second day. These need to be in hi-resolution colour and in focus. The tutor will bring a selection too.

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• The shop has a range of art materials, including oil paints, canvases, boards, brushes, studio safe odourless solvent, etc.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

Terms & Conditions