Figure in an Interior, With Tea Eleanor Crow cropped

Figure in a Window

Oil / Figure - Materials included

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Course details

Learn how to depict the figure in an interior setting. Discover techniques to help you compose a visually compelling painting capturing the model and the surrounds.

Eleanor Crow and student

Working from a live model in our Porthmeor Studios, learn how to capture the figure against the backdrop of a window looking out over the rooftops to the sea. Over three-days, Eleanor will guide you through a series of exercises, demonstrating how to explore composition, tone and colour. Designed to encourage you to find your own visual language, look to artists including Degas, Sickert, Gwen John and Diebenkorn, and see how to break down a complex set-up into various elements.

Starting with this theme, you will initially explore composition, and how to depict a figure in an environment. You will work from a live model, and Eleanor will demonstrate how to tackle the challenges this presents. Using shorter sketches and studies before moving on to longer, larger works, Eleanor will demonstrate how to mix a colour palette in oils, and how to add tone and depth to your compositions. This will also be a chance to experiment, and to see what working style suits you – whether that be more accurate and detailed or open and expressive.

Ideal if you are looking for new ways to approach the figure as well as fresh approaches to composition. Although some experience using oil paints would be helpful, it is not essential.

Eleanro Crow, Hogging the Bathroom
Eleanor Crow, Hogging the Bathroom
Eleanor Crow, women sitting
Eleanor Crow
Eleanor Crow, Lottie in a Bar at the Royal Academy
Eleanor Crow, A Bar at the Royal Academy

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

Starting with an introduction, we will look at various examples by a range of painters including Degas, Sickert and Gwen John. Working directly from the model, explore composition to set out your painting. Start with loose charcoal and graphite drawings; moving into a colour palette in oils.

Day 2

Using traditional colour mixing, work on a couple of smaller studies to explore the compositional, tonal and colour challenges presented as you capture the model and the surrounding environment. Progress to a larger piece.

Day 3

With lots of individual attention from your tutor, work towards a final, larger piece.

What will I learn?

  1. Explore ways to capture the figure against busy backdrops.
  2. Build confidence in working with oil paints.
  3. A greater understanding of composition.
  4. Adding tone, depth and luminosity to your paintings.

Who would this course suit?

This course is suitable for anyone. Ideal if you have some experience working with oil paints, but not essential.

Figure in a Window

Oil / Figure – Materials included

Sorry, this course is not currently available

Taught by

Eleanor
Crow

View Eleanor’s Work

My teaching of drawing and painting is all about understanding what we see , and how we engage with it. Working with line, colour, form, shape, composition, I’m interested in how we communicate through painting and mark-making, and the multiple ways in which people have responded to and painted the people, places and things around them.

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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