Drawing and Painting with Ian Ellis (Thursday afternoons)
Autumn Term Programme
1:30-4pm each Thursday
17, 24 September
1, 8, 15, 22 October
(Half Term 29 October & 5 November)
12, 19, 26 November
3, 10, 17 December
David Hockney Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)
Course Theme
The course theme is ‘Water’ focussing how artists have approached this subject, eg examples shown by Chardin and Hockney.
Course Level
This course is suitable for all levels, as the foundational skills taught to beginners are the same skills we all strive to improve.
Course Aims
• Explore a range of drawing approaches to discover methods that suit your individual style.
• Develop practical skills and confidence in using oil and acrylic paint, including techniques such as scumbling, impasto, glazing, opaque painting, and semi-opaque layering.
• Learn how Impressionist ideas about light and colour theory can support stronger colour contrasts and help you develop a personal approach to colour.
• Improve your ability to create balanced and effective compositions.
Teaching Methods
In each class knowledge will be passed on by demonstration, individual tuition and group discussion
Course Outline
Weeks 1–4
Using a still life with a glass of water, students will explore ways of creating successful compositions while learning traditional glazing and scumbling techniques inspired by artists such as Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin and James McNeill Whistler, alongside contemporary examples.
Weeks 5–8
Using the swimming pool as a subject, students will strengthen drawing skills by learning two different approaches to constructing space. The course will also focus on semi-opaque painting and layering techniques inspired by artists including Paul Cézanne, David Hockney, and Richard Diebenkorn.
Weeks 9–12
Working from photographs of lakes and mountains, students will develop skills in opaque colour mixing and painting techniques, while exploring colour theory to create strong colour contrasts. References will include the work of Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh.
Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin, Le panier de fraises des bois.
Recommended Materials
(Essential colours are in bold and underlined) A good affordable Oil paint is The Georgian Range by Daler-Rowney/ System 3 Acrylic by Daler-Rowney
Lemon yellow
Cadmium Yellow
Cadmium Orange
Yellow ochre
Raw sienna
Burnt sienna
Indian red
Cadmium red
Rose Madder
Alizarin Crimson
Ultramarine Violet
French Ultramarine
Phthalo blue
Cerulean blue
Viridian green
Sap Green
Terre verte (green bias)
Cobalt violet
Titanium White
Ivory Black
Acrylic Paint
Process magenta
Process cyan blue
Process yellow
titanium white
Mars Black
Brushes
Hake Brush (goats hair) or cheaper alternative 1inch house painter light soft bristle (Cheapest are the best)
Bristle Size 3,Round Size 6 filbert, size 8 flat
Size 6 round mixed sable watercolour brush(optional)
Palette knife
Paper and surfaces to work on
Small boards or stretches can be used
Sketch Book Cartidge with or A2/A3 sheets
Lambeth Paper is a stronger Cartridge paper
Palette
Tracing paper or grease proof paper make good large palettes for mixing.
Drawing Materials
B pencil
Essential Extras
Masking Tape
Medium
Linseed oil
Zest –it
NB please do not bring turpentine or white spirit into the classroom, only “odourless” mediums such as Zest-it.