Course Structure

It is best to practise drawing skills in charcoal before embarking on oils. Painting in grisaille (black and white) eases the transition from charcoal to oil paint. 

When colour is introduced, we encourage a limited palette to begin with: ivory black, cadmium red, yellow ochre and titanium white. It can be liberating to see how many colours can be made from so few. It is often the draughting, the subtle gesture, well-established proportions, and the play of light that give the painting strength.

The skills honed with cast drawing and limited palette still-life paintings and figure paintings can readily be translated to portraiture, landscape painting and compositional sketches.

The craft of painting is covered in most of the courses available. For further details, please refer to the detailed section for each course.

Recommended Further Studies

We encourage students to compliment their studies by taking the time to visit exhibitions and practice sketching in museums. In addition, the Studios host a range of events throughout the term aimed at enhancing the artist’s understanding of their craft and the tradition that they are working within.

We recommend the following books:

Alla Prima II – Richard Schmid (paper back or hard cover)

Alla Prima Companion II – Katie Swatland

The Painter’s Methods & Materials – A.P.Laurie

Hensche on Painting – John W. Robichaux

A Manual of Oil Painting – John Collier

The Painter in Oil – Daniel B.Parkhurst

Oil Painting Techniques and Materials – Harold Speed