An exploration of integrating the human figure into the landscape through outdoor and studio-based study, encompassing drawing and painting techniques.

The relationship between the figure and its environment has been a major focus for many artists throughout the history of art, from Piero della Francesca to Tintoretto, Munch to Francis Bacon. Artists have sought to portray the mundane and extraordinary moments of daily life, offering viewers a glimpse into the emotions, activities, and interactions that shape our world, reflecting the universal experiences and connections that bind us all.

In the skilled hands of artist and tutor Julian Vilarrubi, who has taught painting and drawing for over two decades in his hometown of Brighton, participants are guided through a thoughtfully structured course that balances inspiration, observation, and experimentation.

The course opens with a visual introduction that places the human figure within a landscape context, drawing on inspiring examples from artists who have explored this relationship. Through discussion and demonstration, key themes and creative possibilities are introduced, setting a foundation for the practical work to follow. Participants then move outdoors to work directly from the clothed figure in the landscape, exploring ideas around abstraction, simplification, colour, decoration, composition, and context using a range of media.

The second day deepens observational work through a series of structured scenarios with the model in the landscape. These sessions investigate scale, gesture, expression, sequence, and narrative, encouraging varied responses and the collection of visual material in both colour and monochrome. This body of work becomes the source material for subsequent studio development.

The course then transitions fully into the studio, where participants are introduced to oil and acrylic painting techniques. Through guided experimentation, layering, and reworking, ideas developed outdoors are translated into painted responses. Emphasis is placed on process-led exploration, allowing work to evolve through a series of paintings and pushing creative boundaries.

The final day focuses on consolidating and resolving work into one or more finished pieces. Group discussion and reflection support an understanding of how individual responses to the figure and landscape have developed, while also encouraging consideration of future directions and continued exploration beyond the course.

What you will learn

1. Understand how artists integrate the figure within landscape contexts.
2. How to transfer visual information from studies to canvas or other surfaces using the squaring up method.
3. How to apply colour theory through practical studies.
4. Explore ideas based around abstraction, simplification, composition, and context in a variety of media.
5. How to exploit drawing materials and how to build and develop compositions using collage techniques.
6. How to work with coloured grounds in acrylic.
7. Oil paint application, layering and painting effects.
8. How digital software such as Procreate can help you to select, edit, manipulate and construct an image.
9. How the photocopier can extend your ideas by selecting, editing and manipulating your visual references.

Who would this course suit?

This course would suit anyone at all levels who wants to extend their skills in painting and drawing whilst building their confidence in visualising, setting up painting possibilities and acting upon them to produce a series of outcomes that ideally would offer up further opportunities for development.

What to Bring

If you have an iPad or similar device please bring it along with you.  During the course, Julian will be talking about how digital software programmes such as Procreate can be used to help you to select, edit, manipulate and construct images.

Timings and Breaks