This is an Alla Prima (wet-on-wet) painting class. The course begins by looking at the elements of composition: space, line, tone, proportion and form.  We will cover the preparation of a board or canvas, the use of a coloured ground and the drawing up of a composition. There will be a focus on mixing oil paint from a limited palette of ultramarine blue, burnt umber, alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow (hue) and white. (optional extras: Prussian blue, raw umber, cadmium red, cobalt blue).

​

Whilst concentrating on realism and accurate tonal and colour matching, learn how to mix a range of tones and start a painting in a simple methodical process to complete one or two paintings over the course of the workshop.

​

After introductions and the course outline, we’ll discuss realism through observation and tonal accuracy and take a step-by-step approach to:

· preparation of your support with a ground of gesso and coloured ground

· composition and drawing up with charcoal, use of a card viewfinder

· underpainting with acrylic

· your palette and mixing paint, making a black from 3 colours

· alla prima painting (wet-on-wet)

· proceeding with a focus on tone and then on colour

· some colour theory as it applies to painting

· developing a relaxed approach to the application of paint

· simplifying the subject, breaking it down into manageable concepts.

 

Please feel free to bring in your own objects for painting, and we have plenty of interesting objects for your use.