Painting Realism In Oils

The aim of this course is to help you master the use of this versatile medium focusing on still life, portrait and Landscape Painting in a realistic style. Although acrylics are accepted, certain techniques will be harder to achieve.

To join this course it is important that you have a foundation of drawing and/or painting. If you do not know how to draw then please join the Monday class. In this class I do not teach modern art and the training is entirely based on painting realism/impressionism.

Training schedule:

Although there is a structure behind the training schedule, there are no time-frames and every person can move forward at own pace. Initially subjects are chosen by the teacher in order to tackle various techniques in colour mixing and brush work. Advanced students will be allowed to choose their own topics.

- Knowing your tools and materials including health/safety
- Understanding colour, tonal values, saturation and how to mix colours
- Learn how to paint from life to improve your fundamental skills of observation and seeing colour
- Learn how to mix colour by comparing to real life colours (local colour) using a limited palette
- Monochromatic paintings to learn values
- Introducing a limited coloured palette
- Learning how to build a painting starting from sketching, grisaille, underpainting, glazing, scumbling

As subject matter we will be using still life, portrait, animals, landscape, mastercopies.

Materials Needed:

On the first day you do not need to bring anything as the teacher will discuss what you need.
- A4 Sketchbook, pencil HB, 2B and rubber
- A set of brushes suitable for oils (Hogs Bristle) or acrylics (synthetics) of various sizes (preferably 2 of each size). Flat brushes are preferred. Please do not buy these from the Dollar stores or other stores other than an art store.
- Odourless solvent (no turpentine is allowed in the class) (for oils)
- Brush cleaner (water for acrylics)
- Brush dipper containers
- Rags and paper towels
- Baby wipes to clean hands
- Artist grade paints preferably Art Spectrum or Langridge brands. We will start with Burnt umber, ultramarine blue, titanium white, permanent crimson and lemon yellow (or Arylide yellow)
- Canvas board sizes (bought from Art Store) 10 inches X 12 inches (25 x 30 cm)