The Minimalist Landscape

Oil / Landscape - Materials included

Book Selected Date

Course details

How can you resist the urge to over complicate a painting? Learn the art of simplicity in your landscapes so everything matters more and learn to make meaning out of less.

Discover the beauty of simplicity in our Minimalist Landscapes Course.
Tom Rickman Solstice

There can be so much going on in a landscape that you are trying to capture. The simplicity and clarity of vision other painters achieve can seem incredibly allusive. In this three day course artist Tom Rickman will share with you many of the devices he has developed and learned that help achieve this sweet spot of balance, harmony and reduction. So something as complex as the landscape can be distilled and refined into the essentials we need to convey our ideas.

The course begins with outdoor sketching and exploration of the local landscape, introducing the concept of reduction and how to capture the essence of a scene in graphite and charcoal. Students will look at the work of artists known for their minimalist approach—such as Giorgio Morandi, William Nicholson, Mondrian, Frederic Church, and Turner—and begin applying these principles to their own developing practice.

Through guided exercises and discussion, students will gain a stronger understanding of composition, form, and balance, while building confidence in using oil paints to express pared-back, thoughtful responses to the landscape.

Day to day plan

This is a rough indication of what to expect over the course. However sometimes the structure of the days may alter depending on the nature of the group and weather.

Day 1

We will start with an introduction to the course and talk about artists that have particular mastery over the art of reduction.  We’ll then make sketches looking at the landscapes outside the studios and in the local area (weather permitting). In the afternoon we’ll develop our sketches back in the studio.

Day 2

We’ll head back out to gather more source material, using notes from the previous day. In the afternoon we’ll explore more landscape work by other artists and theory, looking at how we can apply techniques to our own painting moving into using oils on board.

Day 3

Working inside in the studio, we’ll develop pieces from previous days and look at how to bring a painting together. 

What will I learn?

  1. How to simplify the landscape to reduce complexity 
  2. Understand better economy and reduction of form and composition
  3. Explore the nature of the golden section to recognize “the sweet spot” in your composition and other visual devices to help you make decisions in your painting
  4. Understand how to articulate and balance the subject
  5. The basics of using oil paints

Who would this course suit?

This course is ideal if you have some painting experience but are looking to discover more in your painting. If you’re a complete novice you are most welcome to join – all that is required is the patience to look and see things a little differently. There will be some walking and painting en plein air, so please be prepared to do some walking and sit on rough ground or rocks to observe and sketch.

Ahead of your oil painting course with us if you would like to brush up your skills, you are entitled to 25% off our online “Getting Started with Oil Painting” course here. You will be given a code after purchasing our studio oil painting course.

Our studio ‘Beginner’s Oil Painting’ courses can be found here.

The Minimalist Landscape

Oil / Landscape – Materials included

Book Selected Date

Taught by

Tom
Rickman

View Tom’s Work

The process of learning a practical discipline such as painting, can seem both daunting and frustrating. In the landscape and the studio I assess each individual student’s ability and use this as a starting point, trying to keep the teaching just beyond the curve of what they can and want to do. As much as teaching them the basics and certain techniques of oil painting, I wish to show them pointers and possible directions of development within their own work.

What to Bring

Our studios are fully equipped and we provide you with all the materials you need for your course. However, if you have a favourite set of brushes or any specialist materials that you would prefer to use, please bring them with you.

Timings and Breaks

The first day starts at 10am and finishes at 4.30pm, please aim to arrive ten to fifteen minutes before the start time.

All course days after that start at 9.30am and finish at 4pm and there will be an hour for lunch. There are plenty of nearby places to eat and we will serve tea and coffee at break times during the day.

FAQs

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