Ref: SLW35825
This course will help you understand the benefits of water-mixable oils and give you confidence in their usage. Your tutor will guide you through the various stages of oil painting, from underpainting through to the final layers, using the fat over lean approach. You will be taught about the importance of light and shade, how to match tonal values and colour mixing skills.
The course will start with a presentation from your tutor and a review of materials and equipment. As the course progresses, you will be given tutor demonstrations of the various stages and painting techniques, alongside one-to-one support throughout.
The course will help you to learn about colour/value mixing using a fairly limited palette, and the various stages to completion. You will be shown the advantages of using water-mixable oils over other water soluble paints such as acrylics, and the differences between water-mixable and traditional oils. You will only have a few days to work in class, so try not to run before you can walk. You might not produce a finished canvas, but, instead, you might make a suitable start for later development at your own pace. The aim is to help you overcome any trepidation of the medium and to achieve a result to help garner self-confidence.
This course is suitable for all levels of painting ability from beginners through to professional artists, and is open to all genres from abstract to photorealism.
On this course, the College will supply all of the materials, including a canvas, paints, brushes, medium and palette.
If you wish to paint from a photograph, select licence-free reference material from sites such as pixabay.com, unsplash.com, pxhere.com (to name but a few). Look for a well-lit, clear, high-resolution image that can lend itself to a square format. You may save this on an ipad or laptop, but if you dont have one, try and bring along a decent hard copy.
You may prefer to work from a pre-prepared sketch or idea. Bring your own reference if required. If needed, bring any other mark-making implements, as only brushes are provided. An apron or overalls to protect your clothes
Available from shop:
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential
Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed
Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required
Steve is an acclaimed wildlife artist with a background in design and advertising. He has facilitated workshops here and in Mauritius and cares about endangered species. A Wildlife Artist of The Year finalist for the past five years, his paintings have raised funds for numerous global wildlife conservation organisations.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study.
Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.
