Course details
Join us for this three-day course and establish a confident approach to painting flowers with oils. Create still life paintings that luxuriate in the richness of paint, colour and texture.
Nothing quite compares with the luscious possibility of working with oil paint, but it can be a daunting medium. Following in the seasoned footsteps of tutor Gary Long, learn to capture flowers both picked and bought in oils. Working in a small group, this online class allows for plenty of interaction with your tutor and fellow class mates. Gary reveals the architecture of expressive still life painting, letting you in on the secrets of creating a successful painting.
You’ll start with a compositional drawing in charcoal, giving you a feeling for the tonal values. From your charcoal study, move to working with gouache, incorporating colour and a flush of confidence into your painting. This approach drives away the apprehension of beginning an oil painting and draws out your intuitive knowledge.
You will build your colour palette, learning to unearth the right tones and to create a dialogue between them. This gives you a solid support system for working in oils, bringing depth to your painting. Working on both board and canvas; using brushes and experimenting with palette knives, reveal the possibilities of expressive mark making. The three days will establish the practical approach you need to feel confident working independently with oils; creating still lifes that luxuriate in the richness of paint, movement and texture.
This course takes place in a small teaching group via Zoom. This is the closest thing to a studio experience without the need to travel.
You can ask questions and get feedback on your work in realtime. Chat live with fellow students during the course and stay in touch via our learning platform. After each session we will send you a recording which you can keep for a further 6 months, so you can practise what you’ve learnt and retain access to all the course resources in our virtual learning environment.
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Sessions
Over 3 sessions , Gary will be working in the studio live and recordings of the classes will be shared with you. Questions will be taken at different points in the session.
Pre-course tech session : 2nd September 4pm – 5pm
An optional session with our technical staff to make sure you are comfortable using Zoom and the online course platform. A fortnight before the course starts we will send you the zoom link for the technical session and further information regarding our online course management system.
Day 1: Tuesday 6th September – 3 hours tutored session
Introduction. Gary will show the group some of his own pieces. You will then choose a display of flowers and begin with charcoal studies. You’ll incorporate gouache, with Gary demonstrating expressive and experimental painting techniques.
Gary will set tasks for you to complete in the following days and you will also be invited to upload works on our online learning platform to get individual feedback from Gary.
Day 2 : Wednesday 7th September – 2 hours tutored session
Gary will share some information on colour and techniques for laying out a palette. You will then begin to paint on board in oils, using your charcoal and gouache studies as references.
Day 3 : Thursday 8th September – 2 hours tutored session
Start on a new composition, this time on canvas. You may find it beneficial to work on a tonal drawing before starting. Gary will introduce you to mediums such as impasto paste, which you can use to create texture in your painting, creating gestural forms without losing the intensity of your colour.
What will I learn?
Learn to sharpen your observation when it comes to working from still life.
Understand tonal values and how to convey these in different media.
Build confidence to experiment with gouache as a way into oil painting and a reference point throughout the process of making work.
Build confidence in colour mixing and develop your understanding of how colours interact in a piece.
Learn to create texture in oil paintings using different tools and media.
How does an online session work
This course takes place in a small teaching group via Zoom. This is the closest thing to a studio experience without the need to travel.
You can ask questions and get feedback on your work in realtime. Chat live with fellow students during the course and stay in touch via our learning platform. After each session we will send you a recording which you can keep for a further 6 months, so you can practise what you’ve learnt and retain access to all the course resources in our virtual learning environment.
You can watch this on a PC, laptop or tablet and if you have chromecast or miracast you could even cast to your SmartTV from your phone.
Who would this course suit?
This course is suitable for all abilities. If you are interested in learning new skills and interests, or gaining confidence, experience, attitude and mobility in your painting practice, this course is for you. This course is a fun opportunity for painters interested in creating abstract oil paintings and engaging with it in a free and experimental way.
Taught by
What to Bring
We will send you a materials list to get together and any pre-course tasks.
You will need access to the internet and either a Smart TV, PC or laptop or a tablet with audio. Phones are not really suitable however cast your phone to a Smart TV.
Timings and Breaks
Pre-course tech session: 2nd September 4pm – 5 pm
At 10:45 please click the link to join the live session.
6th September 11:00 – 14:00
7th September 11:00 – 13:00
8th September 11:00 -13:00
You will have access to a recording of the sessions so you can revisit as often as you like for the duration of the course and for up to six months after the live broadcast.
FAQs
Online Broadcast
How can I get help in choosing a course?
Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180
Do I need a webcam/any equipment.
For our webinar sessions which are broadcast on the internet and no webcam or microphone is needed as you just need to be able to see/hear hosts and you can communicate using the chat function. You can watch using a PC, Smart TV or tablet. A phone isn’t ideal as you will struggle to see enough unless you can miracast to a screen or smart TV.
For the longer online courses on Zoom you will need a laptop or tablet with audio and camera enabled so you can have a screen near where you are working. If you have a PC without camera or speakers, you can purchase a plug and play webcam for approx £25 which connects to a usb port. You will also need reasonable broadband connection and speed.
All the art materials and equipment needed to participate in the course will be listed in full on the online learning platform, for live webinars this will be a minimum of two weeks before the session starts.
I have registered for the webinar but I can't find my joining link
You can access all the resources and joining link for your webinar via our online learning platform. You will need to have set up an account on our online learning platform in advance. You can do this during the checkout process when purchasing your webinar. If you are having trouble accessing your online account, please contact info@schoolofpainting.co.uk. You can use a PC or tablet or even cast from your phone to watch on your Smart TV.
I paid for the session but missed it, how can I watch?
Currently all our online sessions are recorded and you can access the recording on our online learning platform until it expires. Usually 60 days for a webinar, 90 – 180 days for multipart webinars or online courses.
Booking a Course
Can I pay by cheque?
Please get in touch by phone and we can hold your place for a few days whilst you post your cheque (made payable to: St Ives School of Painting) to us at St Ives School of Painting, Porthmeor Studios. St Ives TR26 1NG
How can I reserve a place?
We will hold a provisional reservation for 24 hours if you give us a call whilst you find accommodation. Otherwise please book online or by telephone 01736 797180.
You can reserve a place with a £100 deposit; balance is due 12 weeks before course start date.
