Intermediate Oil Painting with Nataliya Zozulya (Monday mornings)
Summer Term Programme
Course Dates
20, 27 April
4, 11 18 May
(Half Term 25 May)
1, 8, 15, 22, 29 June
6, 13 July
This course is designed to deepen your understanding of visual language and enhance your proficiency in oil painting. Through a structured series of exercises and projects, you will develop technical skills, explore different painting techniques, and refine your artistic expression.
Key Learning Areas:
· Advanced colour mixing and blending techniques
· Still life compositions with focus on form, specific colour palette, different sources of light
· Impasto texture using palette knives
· Limited palette challenges for tonal and atmospheric effects
· Chiaroscuro and monochrome underpainting, inspired by Renaissance masters
· Alla prima (wet-on-wet) painting
· Master copy studies from Impressionist painters
· Icon painting techniques
· Student-led projects, including plain air or interior painting
· further development of skills in depicting different textures
Summer Term 2026 Course Schedule
1 Figure Short Poses (live model)
Focus: Gesture, movement, energy
· 15-20 min poses
· Prioritize line of action
· No details, only rhythm + weight
Goal: Capture life, think about proportions
2 Figure in Interior (live model)
Focus: Composition + perspective
· Place figure within a clear light source
· Simplify background shapes
· Think value hierarchy (what’s darkest/lightest?)
Goal: Integrate figure into space, not “sticker on background.”
3.Cityscape with Figures master copy
Focus: Perspective + storytelling
· Block architecture first
· Add figures last
· Keep figures small
· Use aerial perspective
Goal: Scale + narrative.
4.Abstract / Master Copy
Abstract:
· Work from emotion or colour harmon
· Focus on composition + edges
· analyse brushwork, oil technics
5.6.7. Still Life – Flemish
Focus: Control + subtle value shifts
· Dark ground
· Strong light source
· Controlled edges
· Rich shadows
Study: chiaroscuro, glazing approach.
8.Palette Knife still life Fruits&Flowers
Focus: Bold design + paint handling
· No small strokes
· Think planes
· Use paint thickly
· Avoid over-blending
Goal: Confidence + texture.
9.Self Portrait
Focus: Honesty + structure
Neutral background
· Limited palette (Zorn works well)
· Check proportions carefully
Goal: Structural accuracy + psychology.
10.Plein Air (weather permitting)
Focus: Light + atmosphere
· Big brushes only
· 3–4 value structure
· Capture time of day
Goal: Speed + light relationships.
11.Scottish Colourists Study
Look at:
· Samuel Peploe, F.C.B. Cadell, J.D. Fergusson, Leslie Hunter
Focus on:
· Bold colour blocks
· Simplified drawing
· Decorative composition
High-key palette
12. Students’ project