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UPCOMING
CLASSES
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| On this page you will
find details of my upcoming classes in painting and drawing plus links
to the schools where they are taking place. Please get in touch with
them if you want further information on enrollment and prices. Classes
do fill quickly so please don't be discouraged if there are no places
left - join us next time around! You will also find course descriptions
below. If you have any questions, please contact me. |
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| Please
visit the 'Bulletin
Board' occasionally for updates on materials, feedback from students
and points of interest etc.
If you would like to have upcoming schedules of classes etc.
emailed to you please click here. |
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Eye Exercises - Students have asked me about the pinhole glasses I
wear sometimes, so here are some extra things you can do to keep your eye
muscles strong, using these eye muscle relaxation techniques. |
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| Recommended
Books - Some of these I have mentioned in the class or given you as
handouts. I own and recommend them all. |
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| Class
supply lists and Swatches -
Supply lists for all classes will be sent to students by the individual
schools once you have enrolled in a class. if you are taking my
painting workshop, you will also be sent paint chip samples. I have
put the supply lists online for your convenience. See class
descriptions below. |
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INSTRUCTIONS on How To Stretch A Canvas -
If you are stretching your own canvases - which I highly recommend, not only for your budget but also for spiritual reasons - please click here. |
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For supply lists and descriptions please scroll down |
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| class descriptions |
| Figure
Painting in the Venetian Tradition |
My personal interest in historical techniques and
experience in transforming those techniques into a modern equivalent
for my own use, has led to the fundamentals that I am teaching
in this painting course.
During this course, which is based on the techniques of the Venice
and Florence schools of the 15th and 16th centuries, we will be
exploring the possibilities of indirect painting. From the starting
point of designing our composition by means of a careful under
drawing followed by a monochrome ‘grisaille’, progressing
to ‘dead palette’ and warm/cool decisions and through
to the final stages of applying glazes and scumbles and a full
color palette.
This is an advanced course suitable for anyone with an interest
in classical painting techniques and some experience with painting.
It is not suitable for those who are just entering the door of
the magical world that is painting.
I do not believe that art can be taught by rote but that we learn
through the slow appreciation and understanding of our own painting
experience. I feel it is my job as an artist and teacher to give
help and encouragement through the stormy seas of the creative journey
and perhaps point out some shortcuts along the way. I can try to
pass on what I have learned so far on my own journey as a painter.
SUPPLY LIST
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| Expressive Life Drawing |
To draw successfully, we need to connect with our subconscious
energy, as well as our conscious or intellectual center. The aim
of this class is to encourage, through a series of specific exercises
and techniques, an emphasis on using the subconscious and intuitive
abilities that we have when engaged with drawing from the model.
The student will be asked to break away from their habitual methods
of drawing and to experience the wonderful energy that exists within.
In this 5 day drawing workshop, drawing from a non
intellectual and more emotionally based center we will be using
both left and right hands and the mouth, using dry and wet materials.
We will do a series of exercises which build up over the week to
a more complex drawing using layers of different marks. We also
draw to music and with eyes shut. All in all it is an intense and
enjoyable experience based on methods that I have taught myself
over 30 years.
SUPPLY LIST
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| Limited Palette Painting |
Given the huge range of ready made oil paints available to artists today, deciding which pigments to buy can be very confusing for the less experienced student. For centuries the classical artists had very few colours to choose from. It is also important to understand that less is sometimes more when thinking about a composition and being clear from the start which mixtures to use can be challenging.
In this 5 day workshop, using a limited palette of only three colours and white you will learn how a complete range of colours can be achieved. Starting off using a painting knife, you will learn to cover the canvas quickly by making decisions on a small colour sketch to start off with as a guide, before completing a finished painting using brushes and only those three colours with your previous mixes to guide you and finally heightening the painting with a further one or two colours as necessary.
SUPPLY LIST
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| Artists’ Anatomy
Course |
This is an anatomy course specifically for artists who are
interested in using the figure in their work. Since the 15th century, artists
have relied on a thorough understanding of anatomy to produce convincing
depictions of humans and animals in their work. We
will thoroughly cover all the bones of the human skeleton and the
superficial muscles of the body including the face. I will be concentrating
mainly on the surface muscles of the body that are actually visible
and some time will be spent discussing the methods we use to move
our bones through space and why it is that we have evolved the particular
muscles and bones that we have.
Each session will comprise
of a lecture followed by a drawing session focusing on the part/s
that we have been discussing. The student will have the opportunity
to compare real human bones to the living model in order to understand
the body surfaces that they see.
SUPPLY LIST
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| Figure Painting in Oil |
Ever struggled to know what colours to use out of the endless amount on offer at the artstore? The clasical masters understood the benefits of a restricted palette.
With less emphasis on historical techniques, this class is intended for those who are not quite as advanced yet in painting from the figure. Although still based on classical painting techniques , it is an introduction to the basic principles of layered methods using a more modern palette.
Starting with a careful under drawing, followed by a tonal grisaille layer, and finishing with a full color painting. Working from the model in a one-week pose, emphasis is placed on exploring the perception and effects of light and color on form. Emphasis on drawing, tonal structure, color mixing and composition also comes into play. Daily lectures, demonstrations and discussions are balanced with personal critiques during the day.
SUPPLY LIST
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| Figure Composition for Painters (Advanced Figure Drawing techniques) |
Classical painters always used drawing as a preliminary way to work
out their compositions and motifs.
Your focus for this drawing course of intensive figure
work, specifically designed for students with advanced drawing
experience, is understanding how to use different ways of drawing
to develop ideas for painting compositions.
Each day introduces a different method to make a more
in-depth drawing from the model and the background around the model.
You work in conté,
charcoal, ink, water media and acrylic, treating each blank page like
a canvas which you fill with tonal compositions using the paper from
edge to edge. You will be introduced to various ways to make extended
drawings from the figure instead of the typical sketches to found in life
drawing classes no matter how long the pose.
Your final preparatory studies feature active figures
in interiors working from models, drawings and photographs and a final
multi figure composition that might perhaps lead to ideas for a painting.
SUPPLY LIST
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"My philosophy of teaching
is very simple. I believe that there is an implicit contract between
the teacher and the one who is taught. The teacher says, in effect, I
will share with you my knowledge and experience. To the best of my ability
I will incite you to think, to experiment, to learn, to improve your
mind and to enable you to gain knowledge that you do not already possess.
And the learner says, in effect, I will be guided by your knowledge and
experience. I will accept what you offer. I will learn from you. This
is an ancient and sacred contract and it is the foundation of education."
Scott Momaday, Kiowa Author and Institute
of American Indian Arts faculty |
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