The figure in relation to its environment has been the preoccupation of so many artists, from Diego Velázquez to Francisco Goya, John Singer Sargent to Edgar Degas. Scenes of everyday life and the figure interacting with the world around it, have been the fundamental interests throughout much of art history. Looking at the figure in context, you will explore how we translate your observations of the tangible, visible world and the human form in its environment, into a drawn and painted reality. It is the tutor’s aim that you will leave having discovered a thorough, holistic approach to oil painting.

Over the duration of the course, you will work towards producing a substantial painting of the figure, working directly from the model and developing your own composition from drawings and studies. You will work from the figure in various poses and discover the model through drawing and observation, initially studying how you encounter a subject and respond to it, and by the end of the course developing your own larger painting.

The fundamentals of oil painting will be taught, studying colour mixing, application and materials knowledge. By looking to artists both past and contemporary, you will be encouraged to nurture your own idiosyncrasies, looking at aspects of depth, light, narrative, composition and space in relation to the figure.

By the end of the course, you will be equipped with drawing, painting and observational skills which will be applicable to your own work beyond the course. With an emphasis on encountering the subject and responding with earnestness and observation, by looking at the fundamental subject of the figure in context, you will leave with an excitement and enthusiasm for painting.

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

• The model who will sit for the course
• Some cartridge paper, charcoal and Indian ink for the first evening session

What students need to bring

• Any materials from the list below that you may have:
• Oil paints: Mixing White/Flake White Hue, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Winsor Green (blue shade), Ivory Black, French Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Light Red/Venetian Red/Indian Red
• Studio safe solvent (ie Zest-it), linseed stand oil
• Pastels (optional)
• Paper (if you have a preference)
• Charcoal, pencils and charcoal pencils
• Hog hair brushes - diverse set
• Large brushes (hog/synthetic)
• 2x palettes
• Rags
• Canvas boards and/or canvas panels

Available to buy

• Available from shop:
• The shop sells a range of art materials, including canvases and canvas boards, oil paints including Mixing White/Flake White Hue, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Winsor Green (blue shade), Ivory Black, French Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Light Red/Venetian Red/Indian Red, studio safe solvent, mediums, hog hair brushes, large brushes (synthetic/hog), palettes, charcoal, pastels and pencils.

Additional information

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