Figure Drawing & Painting Studio Course (Cahir Arts)

You can take any of these three modules on their own, or combine two or more of them. I recommend that you do at least two of the modules including the first drawing module.

Module 1 Figure Drawing in Charcoal

The first module sets the foundation for the subsequent oil painting modules. For these five weeks, you will be using charcoal – a medium that acts as a stepping stone between drawing and painting due to its versatile characteristics.

You will learn how to capture the gesture and spirit of any pose as well as understanding the fundamental structure and anatomy of the human body. Our study of anatomy, however, will be limited to only what we need to know as artists, to help us identify and render important forms and landmarks in the body. You will also be shown how to simplify the human figure and then slowly build the forms that make up this complex subject.

The role of light and shadow on the figure and how they reveal form will be explained in detail, and you will be shown how to achieve these light effects convincingly. In later modules, we will translate all of this knowledge into oil painting. Charcoal is a powerful and versatile medium, producing a wide range of effects from dramatic chiaroscuro to subtle atmospheric tones.

As well as learning about the human figure, you will also radically improve your drawing skills overall – designing and measuring, assessing values, shading and handling different textures. All of this knowledge and technique is applicable to any subject matter, not just the figure.

Module 2 Master Copy Painting the Figure in Oils

In module two, you will learn the time-honoured steps and techniques involved in painting the figure in oils, by studying the Old Masters and reproducing one of their figure paintings. Copying from the masters has been the traditional way of learning how to paint for centuries. It is how they learned and mastered their craft.

As well as producing a full oil colour painting, you will also learn about the stylistic differences and developments in figure painting from the Renaissance to the present day. There are many brands of realism and representation, all equally valid yet different, and being aware of different approaches will help to broaden your own palette.

Many painting techniques will be discussed, explained and demonstrated, including:

• Four canonical modes of Italian Renaissance:
  • Sfumato
  • Unione
  • Chiaroscuro
  • Cangiante
• Dry brush technique
• Paint handling and brushwork
• Blending, handling transitions, and edge quality
• Glazing and sfumato
• Understanding and using different solvents and mediums

Module 3 Painting the Figure from Life

In the final module, you will bring together everything you have learned to produce an original figure painting in oil from life, with a live model in studio.