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About the Workshop & Tutor
Sam is a figurative painter based in Moffat, Scotland and is a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. He has exhibited widely across the UK including the National Portrait Gallery. You can find out more about Sam here.
The aim of this course is to help you to paint from observation in a more dynamic, experimental manner and less worried about the final appearance of the painting.
Sam want students to be less precious, to accept fallibility, indeed make a virtue of it. Each student will start with a big canvas, and a blank space to observe, an empty setting (with perhaps a plinth and a chair) for the scene that will appear.
The process starts by mapping out the empty space, blocking in the volumes loosely with a broad brush. As the session progress, objects are added, and eventually a sitter will be added. The addition of every item necessitates a revaluation of what has gone before, so everything in the painting has to remain negotiable. Sometimes objects added in will obscure what has gone before, sometimes they will force the readjustment of scale. You have no choice but to paint over parts of the painting you might be growing fond of, so it is an antidote to a painter's natural tendency to want to settle the argument quickly, and start 'finishing' prematurely.
Along the way, we will address any of the components of a functioning approach that arise. Perspective, composition, mood, lighting, painting materials, figure drawing, paint handling, colour, tone, etc.
Individual feedback will support each artist’s process throughout the course.
As with all taught sessions, this course is more about learning that can be integrated into practice rather than on getting a finished portrait. It's more about succumbing to being a student and being open to discourse, intervention, and learning, so we can then make informed choices about what is useful to us and incorporate into regular practice.
MATERIALS LIST:
Please bring with you the following materials:
Oil paint:
Titanium white, Cadmium yellow lemon, Cadmium yellow deep, Venetian red, Crimson, (or any alizarin crimson substitute) Cobalt blue or French Ultramarine.
You will also need:
Palette
Palette knife
A set of brushes, (Sam usually have a variety of filberts, flats and rounds in various sizes)
Cotton buds
Paint rags
Sansodor/Zest It, or any odourless solvent for brush cleaning
Linseed oil.
At least one canvas/canvas board/panel/piece of oil painting paper (Sam usually goes for a 30” x 25”
panel) that has been primed, and with any coloured ground applied that you
prefer. Sam usually have a thin, very translucent wash of an eased down red/brown, but you
might prefer another colour. If in doubt, leave it white, just make sure it is well primed.
Paint Dipper
What is provided?
We provide drawing materials, bulldog clips, masking tape, paper, drawing boards, easels and small side tables to put your materials on. Also a selection of teas and coffee, organic milk and plant based milk, plus a selection of treats will also be available. Bring your own packed lunch or dine at the Dinners Arms.
Terms & Conditions
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Course & Workshop Terms & Conditions
