Artists eye: painting portraits

What is the course about?

On this short course, we will look at use of colour, paint application, and sources of inspiration in the work of four portrait artists. We will make a series of paintings using our acquired knowledge about expression, and the portrayal of self and identity, gained from examining these artists’ unique visions.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

We will make paintings inspired by four very different portrait artists, including Marlene Dumas, Shani Rhys James, Berthe Morisot and Elaine de Kooning. We’ll be guided by their choices of subject matter, learn from their methods of paint application, make discoveries about their decision making in colour mixing and composition.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Paint portraits using primary and secondary sources.
Mix colours to convey mood and feeling.
Identify methods of visual story telling in the work of others, and apply them in your own paintings.
Learn about different intentions in the work of a range of portrait artists.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is designed for those progressing from beginner level, and is also suitable for more experienced painters who would like to refresh their practice.
Colour mixing, composition planning, and brushwork and layering will be re-visited, to ensure all participants are at a strong level to move on from.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

This is a practical course, where painting is learnt by working on a series of projects. Learners will be painting throughout all sessions, with some time being given to looking at contemporary and historic paintings. Details of these, and reminders and other resources will be available on google classroom. Students will have opportunities to make verbal contributions as part of the group. There will be optional homework, and learners will be encouraged to research artists.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need painting materials and equipment, and a suitable space to work where you can prop your painting up, spread out your palette and paints, and be messy.
Please also have a colour magazine for collage, and some glue, instructions about how to make this from rice will be available on google classroom.
You will need to be set up for painting for all sessions including session one.
Please have a palette, which can be an A3 sized piece of plastic/Perspex/formica/board, a palette knife, a few basic bristle brushes (minimum 1 large, 1 medium, 1 small) cotton rags. Water or PVA for mixing acrylic paint.

You will also need something to paint on each week.
This can be thick cartridge paper or card, or a prepared canvas

You will need the following paint colours:
Cadmium red or vermilion., Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Yellow, Lemon Yellow, French Ultramarine, Cerulean blue, Titanium white.
Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencil to printing services, at 15% off.
To get an LGC discount card, students will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment of them being a student at City Lit. You can apply for our card in-store or by simply emailing info@londongraphics.co.uk with a scan or photo of relevant confirmation. The student discount does not apply to products that are already discounted or on offer. More information can be found here- https://www.londongraphics.co.uk/student-discounts/.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

The Artist’s Eye painting course consists of three modules: Portrait , Landscape, and Still Life.