Ref: SLW37930
This course will examine and draw inspiration from 20th century artists such as Van Gogh, Cezanne, André Derain, Gwen John and Chaïm Soutine, as well as more contemporary painters, including Alice Neel and Lucien Freud.
Through demonstrations and guidance, you can expect to familiarise yourself with the tools of the oil painter while learning techniques to improve fluency and accuracy in your painting. Making a monochrome painting on the first evening will embed the importance of tone and drawing with the brush.
On day two, you will be introduced to a limited palette, considering the fundamentals of colour theory when selecting the colours for the painting and learning to make colour substitutions. Structured teaching and demonstrations will be balanced with an approach that encourages playfulness and exploration while painting.
By the evening of the second day, you will have begun your third painting in which you will attempt to mix colours that are the closest approximation of what you see using an extended cadmium palette.
On the final day, you will put your colour mixing knowledge into practice and make your third and final painting.
By the end of the course, you will feel confident mixing tonal values and hues to produce fresh and vibrant portrait paintings.
On this course, the College will supply some of the materials, including some A3 oil painting paper and three A3 canvas boards per student, plus studio safe solvent and linseed oil to share amongst the group. The model who will sit for the course is also included.
Sketchpad (A5 or A4)
2B pencil
Rubber
Apron
Oil paint in the following colours: Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow (or Lemon Yellow), Ultramarine Blue, Alizarin Crimson, Phthalo Blue, Yellow Ochre, Viridian Green, Lamp Black, Zinc White x2
Other items:
Available from shop:
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 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*
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
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
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.
*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options
Born in Cambridgeshire, Mercer studied at Cardiff School of Art and Design graduating in 2012 before being awarded the postgraduate programme at The Royal Drawing School. Since 2014 she has been a painter and educator working in London. She has exhibited in the UK, Athens and China and had work purchased for the Royal Collection by HM Charles III.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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