This oil painting course takes inspiration from the moody and luminous imagery of classic Film Noir. Explore composition, tonal contrast, and light transitions, using a range of different oil techniques to create visually dramatic paintings.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Inspired by the light and shadow within classic film noir such as 'The Third Man', students will explore the expressive power of tonal imagery to develop visually arresting paintings in tone and colour. Suitable for those curious to combine the atmosphere of film noir with the luminosity of oil painting; you will explore a range of painting methods and approaches to intensify mood and drama.
What will we cover?
Painting tonal studies from film stills derived from Hitchcock, Carol Reed and others.
The face and light within film noir.
The lonely figure in space within film noir.
Using wet and dry oil painting techniques to explore an ‘emerging image’ process.
Developing a colour-tone painting palette, starting with black and white.
Finding echoes and cross-currents between film noir and artists through time (Edward Hopper, Caravaggio, Gerhard Richter, Cindy Sherman).
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Use tonal colour in painting with sensitivity and pleasure.
Use dry and wet oil painting methods to ‘unearth’ an image.
Paint a luminous and moody oil painting with a dramatic tonal structure.
Find inspiration from related photographic and artistic sources for further painting.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Basic drawing and oil painting experience necessary, otherwise suits all levels.
A willingness to explore a colour-tone approach to oil painting in some depth.
A curiosity about combining the mood of film noir, with luminous oil painting.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Final session, students will make a long painting based on their favoured approach so they may wish to research suggested websites artists & concepts as the course develops.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Basic materials for the course are provided. Please bring along 2 glass jars with lids. Please note that surfaces must be primed and bone dry for oil painting. The tutor will prepare primed cartridge in advance of the first session only. After that you may either: purchase ready-primed paper from LGC, using your student discount, or prime and dry city lit cartridge paper during the course.
For the last session you may wish to bring a canvas to paint on, but this is not essential.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Further painting courses at all levels, such as Painting 2, Life drawing into life painting, or Contemporary Painting Studio; or this course may form part of your preparation for advanced courses, such as City Lit Year of the Figure and Portrait.
Lindsay is a graduate with an MA in Fine Art at the City and Guilds of London Art School. He teaches at various adult education providers within the areas of painting and drawing. At City Lit, Lindsay works with both beginners and those looking to develop technical skills within watercolour, oil and acrylic painting alongside drawing using ink and wash techniques. His own art work preoccupies with the isolation of the hybrid misfit. Such misfits are depictions of animal hybrids in a landscape, where they are rejected by their peers. Lindsay who has also experienced social rejection, has used this personal emotive to express the loneliness in his work with great panache.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/oil-painting-focus-on-light-and-shade221036Oil painting: focus on light and shadehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/o/i/oil-painting-light-shade-vh348.jpg239239GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Painting/Courses/Art & design/Painting/Painting techniques & processes/Courses/Art & design/Painting/Oil painting2285113219161919136111228511321916<p>This oil painting course takes inspiration from the moody and luminous imagery of classic Film Noir. Explore composition, tonal contrast, and light transitions, using a range of different oil techniques to create visually dramatic paintings.</p><p></p><p></p>152539507Oil painting: focus on light and shade239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/o/i/oil-painting-light-shade-vh348_13.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-06-05T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceJun 2026Art & designVH348239239Oil painting: focus on light and shade191155239Lindsay Pickettoil-painting-focus-on-light-and-shade/vh348-2526<p>This oil painting course takes inspiration from the moody and luminous imagery of classic Film Noir. Explore composition, tonal contrast, and light transitions, using a range of different oil techniques to create visually dramatic paintings.</p><p></p><p></p>0000-Available|2026-06-05 00:00:00<p>Inspired by the light and shadow within classic film noir such as 'The Third Man', students will explore the expressive power of tonal imagery to develop visually arresting paintings in tone and colour. Suitable for those curious to combine the atmosphere of film noir with the luminosity of oil painting; you will explore a range of painting methods and approaches to intensify mood and drama.</p><p></p><p></p><p>This oil painting course takes inspiration from the moody and luminous imagery of classic Film Noir. Explore composition, tonal contrast, and light transitions, using a range of different oil techniques to create visually dramatic paintings.</p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Painting tonal studies from film stills derived from Hitchcock, Carol Reed and others.</li><li>The face and light within film noir.</li><li>The lonely figure in space within film noir.</li><li>Using wet and dry oil painting techniques to explore an ‘emerging image’ process.</li><li>Developing a colour-tone painting palette, starting with black and white.</li><li>Finding echoes and cross-currents between film noir and artists through time (Edward Hopper, Caravaggio, Gerhard Richter, Cindy Sherman).</li></ul><ul><li>Use tonal colour in painting with sensitivity and pleasure.</li><li>Use dry and wet oil painting methods to ‘unearth’ an image.</li><li>Paint a luminous and moody oil painting with a dramatic tonal structure.</li><li>Find inspiration from related photographic and artistic sources for further painting.</li></ul><p>Basic drawing and oil painting experience necessary, otherwise suits all levels.</p><ul><li>A willingness to explore a colour-tone approach to oil painting in some depth.</li><li>A curiosity about combining the mood of film noir, with luminous oil painting.</li></ul><ul><li>Slide shows, books, practical demos, website research, group & individual advice,</li><li>Final session, students will make a long painting based on their favoured approach so they may wish to research suggested websites artists & concepts as the course develops.</li></ul><p>Basic materials for the course are provided. Please bring along 2 glass jars with lids. Please note that surfaces must be primed and bone dry for oil painting. The tutor will prepare primed cartridge in advance of the first session only. After that you may either: purchase ready-primed paper from LGC, using your student discount, or prime and dry city lit cartridge paper during the course.</p><p>For the last session you may wish to bring a canvas to paint on, but this is not essential.</p><p></p><p>Further painting courses at all levels, such as <em>Painting 2</em>, <em>Life drawing into life painting</em>, or <em>Contemporary Painting Studio</em>; or this course may form part of your preparation for advanced courses, such as <em>City Lit Year of the Figure and Portrait.</em></p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesvirtual3030466Oil painting: focus on light and shade259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/o/i/oil-painting-light-shade-vh348_14.jpgInStockEveningFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-11-06T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceNov 2026Art & designVM941259259Oil painting: focus on light and shade207168259Lindsay Pickettoil-painting-focus-on-light-and-shade/vm941-2627<p>This oil painting course takes inspiration from the moody and luminous imagery of classic Film Noir. Explore composition, tonal contrast, and light transitions, using a range of different oil techniques to create visually dramatic paintings.</p><p></p><p></p>0000-Available|2026-11-06 00:00:00<p>Inspired by the light and shadow within classic film noir such as 'The Third Man', students will explore the expressive power of tonal imagery to develop visually arresting paintings in tone and colour. Suitable for those curious to combine the atmosphere of film noir with the luminosity of oil painting; you will explore a range of painting methods and approaches to intensify mood and drama.</p><p></p><p></p><p>This oil painting course takes inspiration from the moody and luminous imagery of classic Film Noir. Explore composition, tonal contrast, and light transitions, using a range of different oil techniques to create visually dramatic paintings.</p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Painting tonal studies from film stills derived from Hitchcock, Carol Reed and others.</li><li>The face and light within film noir.</li><li>The lonely figure in space within film noir.</li><li>Using wet and dry oil painting techniques to explore an ‘emerging image’ process.</li><li>Developing a colour-tone painting palette, starting with black and white.</li><li>Finding echoes and cross-currents between film noir and artists through time (Edward Hopper, Caravaggio, Gerhard Richter, Cindy Sherman).</li></ul><ul><li>Use tonal colour in painting with sensitivity and pleasure.</li><li>Use dry and wet oil painting methods to ‘unearth’ an image.</li><li>Paint a luminous and moody oil painting with a dramatic tonal structure.</li><li>Find inspiration from related photographic and artistic sources for further painting.</li></ul><p>Basic drawing and oil painting experience necessary, otherwise suits all levels.</p><ul><li>A willingness to explore a colour-tone approach to oil painting in some depth.</li><li>A curiosity about combining the mood of film noir, with luminous oil painting.</li></ul><ul><li>Slide shows, books, practical demos, website research, group & individual advice,</li><li>Final session, students will make a long painting based on their favoured approach so they may wish to research suggested websites artists & concepts as the course develops.</li></ul><p>Basic materials for the course are provided. Please bring along 2 glass jars with lids. Please note that surfaces must be primed and bone dry for oil painting. The tutor will prepare primed cartridge in advance of the first session only. After that you may either: purchase ready-primed paper from LGC, using your student discount, or prime and dry city lit cartridge paper during the course.</p><p>For the last session you may wish to bring a canvas to paint on, but this is not essential.</p><p></p><p>Further painting courses at all levels, such as <em>Painting 2</em>, <em>Life drawing into life painting</em>, or <em>Contemporary Painting Studio</em>; or this course may form part of your preparation for advanced courses, such as <em>City Lit Year of the Figure and Portrait.</em></p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesvirtual191,207239,259155,168VH348,VM941NONEFri05/06/26 - 03/07/2614:00 - 17:0014:0017:005 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytime,EveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetLindsay PickettSome experienceAvailable courses2026-06-05T00:00:00+00:00,2026-11-06T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026,Nov 2026Art & design239239,259Oil painting: focus on light and shadeoil-painting-focus-on-light-and-shade/vh348-2526,oil-painting-focus-on-light-and-shade/vm941-2627<p>This oil painting course takes inspiration from the moody and luminous imagery of classic Film Noir. Explore composition, tonal contrast, and light transitions, using a range of different oil techniques to create visually dramatic paintings.</p><p></p><p></p>0000-Available|2026-06-05 00:00:00<p>Inspired by the light and shadow within classic film noir such as 'The Third Man', students will explore the expressive power of tonal imagery to develop visually arresting paintings in tone and colour. Suitable for those curious to combine the atmosphere of film noir with the luminosity of oil painting; you will explore a range of painting methods and approaches to intensify mood and drama.</p><p></p><p></p><p>This oil painting course takes inspiration from the moody and luminous imagery of classic Film Noir. Explore composition, tonal contrast, and light transitions, using a range of different oil techniques to create visually dramatic paintings.</p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Painting tonal studies from film stills derived from Hitchcock, Carol Reed and others.</li><li>The face and light within film noir.</li><li>The lonely figure in space within film noir.</li><li>Using wet and dry oil painting techniques to explore an ‘emerging image’ process.</li><li>Developing a colour-tone painting palette, starting with black and white.</li><li>Finding echoes and cross-currents between film noir and artists through time (Edward Hopper, Caravaggio, Gerhard Richter, Cindy Sherman).</li></ul><ul><li>Use tonal colour in painting with sensitivity and pleasure.</li><li>Use dry and wet oil painting methods to ‘unearth’ an image.</li><li>Paint a luminous and moody oil painting with a dramatic tonal structure.</li><li>Find inspiration from related photographic and artistic sources for further painting.</li></ul><p>Basic drawing and oil painting experience necessary, otherwise suits all levels.</p><ul><li>A willingness to explore a colour-tone approach to oil painting in some depth.</li><li>A curiosity about combining the mood of film noir, with luminous oil painting.</li></ul><ul><li>Slide shows, books, practical demos, website research, group &amp; individual advice,</li><li>Final session, students will make a long painting based on their favoured approach so they may wish to research suggested websites artists &amp; concepts as the course develops.</li></ul><p>Basic materials for the course are provided. Please bring along 2 glass jars with lids. Please note that surfaces must be primed and bone dry for oil painting. The tutor will prepare primed cartridge in advance of the first session only. After that you may either: purchase ready-primed paper from LGC, using your student discount, or prime and dry city lit cartridge paper during the course.</p><p>For the last session you may wish to bring a canvas to paint on, but this is not essential.</p><p></p><p>Further painting courses at all levels, such as <em>Painting 2</em>, <em>Life drawing into life painting</em>, or <em>Contemporary Painting Studio</em>; or this course may form part of your preparation for advanced courses, such as <em>City Lit Year of the Figure and Portrait.</em></p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesconfigurable
