This playful painting course explores expressive figurative painting in acrylics from the life model, with both nude and clothed poses, incorporating narrative backgrounds and theatrical make-up to gain fabulously bold, colourful, abstract and expressive paintings on a large scale.
The focus will be on colour, abstraction and mixed media techniques. You will start by making a series of quick drawings and studies from the life model who, throughout the course, will incorporate a theatricality to the poses to inspire your work. You will then move onto acrylic painting and explore abstract figurative paintings by looking at form, colour, texture and scale. The course will help you to explore making bold and colourful expressive paintings, experiment with mixed media techniques and work on a larger scale format.
You will broaden your knowledge of painting and increase your confidence in depicting the figure from both observation and abstraction. You will gain knowledge of different approaches and techniques to loosen up and improve your ability to work on a large scale.
Led by an inspirational tutor, you will be guided through demonstrations, exercises, discussion and one-to-one tuition, which will help you develop your painting and playful attitude to making work.
A playful and practical approach to painting from the model is encouraged on this partly structured course which covers:
Ideas and inspiration for being more playful and freeing up your approach to painting
Acrylic painting techniques/expressive mark-making
Painting from a life model
Line to colour and bold compositions
Larger scale painting
Form, colour and abstraction
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)
Included
- On this course, the College will supply some materials, including large Fabriano cartridge paper rolls to share, newsprint paper, white emulsion paint, PVA glue, Pritt stick, charcoal, oil pastels, ink, masking tape and brown paper tape.
- The model who will sit for the course
What students need to bring
- Acrylic paint - white, black, plus include additional colours i.e. reds/ blues/ yellow, etc.
- You will be working on a large scale so bring enough paint and a range of large scale brushes and decorator’s brushes.
- Optional: Any household emulsion paint colours (if you have any left-over colours to use up)
Available to buy
- Available from shop:
- A good range of art materials are available to buy, including acrylic paints, brushes and decorator’s brushes.
Additional information
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.
