About this Event
Choose between the organised and fully comprehensive 5-week course, or single sessions designed to fit seamlessly into your week. For ambitious beginners ready for a structured exploration, and intermediate artists looking to expand their technical toolkit - From retired folks looking for a warm, social environment to practice, to freelancers and remote workers needing a refreshing creative break.
The advantages of this course:
- Zero Prep, Zero Cleanup: Walk in and paint. All high-quality materials are provided for you in-studio (a £65+ value), so you don't have to carry supplies around.
- Personalised Pace: Small class sizes mean you get supportive one-on-one guidance from a professional artist with 30 years of experience devoted to your progress.
- Accessible Techniques: Learn alongside a professional live portrait model - drawing proportion & rhythm for facial structure, colour relationships, layering & blending effects, and how to achieve the best likeness of the sitter with a clear and structured, step-by-step method!
Limited Single Session Tasters are available! Short on time, or just want a wee experience? Join us for a relaxing, risk free single class right here in Glasgow. Just pick the Thursday you'd like to join and book your ticket. Expand on a little knowledge with watercolour portraiture, and leave with a painting.
Course Summary
Week 1 (15 Oct): Understanding the Drawing
Learn how to make an effective under drawing using the rules of proportion, gesture, and designing shadow shapes for accurate facial structure and anatomy. We will paint from a photographic reference using monochromatic washes to learn the power of value, and form building.
Week 2 (22 Oct): Palette Design and Brush Control
Discover palette organisation and colour practice that will bring your understanding of flesh tones and temperature to the next level. Command a variety of brush effects for blending, and keep luminous colour where you want it. We will paint from a photographic reference using the full palette.
Week 3 (29 Oct): Working with a Live Model
Begin a new painting from a professional live portrait model! The earlier rehearsal paintings and new knowledge will have you confident and ready to paint from life - as is done in classical Atelier style academies. An under drawing and initial wash will be established, with guidance on capturing the sitter's likeness.
Week 4 (05 Nov): Developing the Portrait
Continue working with our live model to deepen washes and important colour/value relationships. Using variegated or gradated washes, mingling or charging, you will decide with various techniques where to maintain control, or where to play with full expression.
Week 5 (12 Nov): Final Details and Finishing Touches
Our final session with the live model, and the refinement of your painting. Learn the art of glazing, accenting, and selectively adding important details without "over working". Bringing together the best decisions for a polished finish.
Event venue & nearby stays
House of Toad CIC, Ground floor & 1st floor, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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