This outline of the course is a guide to the topics we aim to
cover to give you some idea of what to expect during the week. The schedule is flexible, and I am happy to
adapt it to suit the individual requirements of students on this course
wherever possible. All materials
provided, including 4 canvases.
DAY ONE: Brushstrokes and
Paint-handling:
An introduction to the wonderful world of oil painting. Starting with a series of exercises showing
you how to blend paint, overlay colours, wet on wet, and work with textural
marks to create an interesting painting surface. Working from various still life arrangements
with plenty of demonstrations and one to one support to get you get started.
DAY TWO: Creating texture and movement
Energy, energy, energy!This is the key to creating movement in your work. Plenty of quick exercises to start with to
get your arm and brushes moving before moving on to using "painting butter” to
create thick, impasto textures. Learn
how to paint with a knife as well as brushes. Taking inspiration from
photographs supplied by the tutor, we shall be painting an open landscape or
seascape with a big expressive sky.
DAY THREE: Choosing a Subject
What makes a successful subject or
composition? We head out on location this morning with sketchbooks and
viewfinders. Aiming to produce a series of sketches for our next studio
painting. In the afternoon, enjoy a
lesson on composition before planning your own landscape painting based on the
morning's sketches.
DAY FOUR: Glazing and Scumbling - an alternative
approach
These are techniques mainly used on top of already dried paint.
Demonstrations of both approaches this morning, showing how you can "alter and
adjust” tones and colour within your work.Glazes can also be used to build up many layers of translucent colour
rather than working with opaque colour.This afternoon, Melanie will demonstrate how using only glazes can give
wonderfully translucent effects, almost like watercolour.
DAY FIVE: Dynamic Painting
Challenge
This morning we shall be working to a time limit of 3 hours. Having limited time to paint actually
helps! It means less time for too much
thinking (once you have established the composition). You will need to paint with confidence and
energy, making every mark, daub or flick of paint on canvas really count. An exciting end to the course
At the end of the afternoon there is the opportunity to join the
Court Exhibition to show off your favourite paintings to friends and family, if
you wish.
INCLUDED IN THE COURSE
(to use during the course and take
home afterwards)
2-brush set - a large filbert for blocking-in and a small round
brush for details.
All course notes and handouts
PROVIDED IN THE STUDIO (for use during
your stay)
Traditional Oil paint
Alkyd painting medium
Cold Wax medium (for textural effects)
White Spirit for cleaning brushes
Additional brushes available to borrow for use during the course.
Palette knife
Charcoal
Jam Jars with lids for holding White Spirit (to reduce fumes in
class)
Tear-off palette with dipper for holding medium
Clipboard support
Oil sketching paper for various quick studies
4 canvas boards for finished paintings. (if you wish to produce
more works, please bring extra canvases/boards with you.)
Sketching style easels for use indoors and outside
Studio tables and chairs
All course notes and handouts - also available to download to your
Tablet i-Pad if you have one. Please
email me in advance
WHAT TO BRING ALONG:
Any
favourite brushes or painting knives
Pencil
or pen & sketchbook (preferably A5 hardback type)
Tablet
or i-Pad if you have one as images and handouts will be available to download
from a pen drive or can be sent via email if preferred.
Please
feel free to bring along any reference photos if you wish to use these as well
as those provided by the tutor
FOR
GETTING WET PAINTINGS HOME: Canvases of the same size can be put together
(with blue tack or half a wine cork at each corner) making them easier to place
in the car boot or footwell. For this
reason, supplied canvases will be of the same size.
ADDITIONAL PAINTINGS:
If you wish me to critique any other finished works, or indeed
have works in progress or ideas for paintings, do feel free to bring these
along. I will be making some time during
the week for a one-to-one session to help you with any additional
projects/ideas.
Any Questions?
I am always happy to discuss any concerns you may have about this
course or what to bring along so please feel free to contact me via email using
art@melaniecambridge.com. If you wish to
speak on the telephone, then please leave your phone number so I can contact
you.
Email:art@melaniecambridge.com
Website: www.melaniecambridg-fine-art.co.uk
