Vermeer – Old Masters Painting Online Course
€150.00 – €300.00
Live-Streaming ONLINE COURSE 6-Week Module
Starting Monday 11th & Thursday 14th November 2024
This 6-week course module is part of the Old Masters Series, and can be paired with Caravaggio – Old Masters Painting Online Course 6-week module. See options below.
Book 2 Modules – Vermeer & Caravaggio (12 Weeks) & GET 2 CLASSES FREE! Plus special rate for morning and afternoon classes!
Class Time Options:
- Option 1: Mondays 7-9pm (UTC+1) from 11th November – 16th December 2024
- Option 2: Thursdays 10am-12 noon (UTC+1) from 14th November to 19th December 2024
Medium: Oil Paint
Format: Live Streaming Zoom Class & Video Recording
Level: All levels
All online classes are recorded and saved for the duration of the course module, so you can replay and watch at any time from one week to the next!
In this 6-week course, we will uncover the secrets behind Joannes Vermeer’s (1632–1675) painting methods and materials, tools and techniques by copying and reproducing a selection of his paintings.
In his lifetime, Vermeer’s fame barely extended beyond his native town of Delft in the Netherlands; today, he is a household name and his work – especially Girl with a Pearl Earring (or the “Dutch Mona Lisa”) – is universally recognisable.
Until recently not a lot was known about Vermeer’s life and there is still much debate about his painting techniques and the almost photorealistic attention to detail that he achieved. Few studio manuals explaining the practical methods and techniques of Dutch 17th-century painters exist. Most of our knowledge about painting methods from this period is gleaned from a mixture of contemporary painting techniques and scientific analyses of paintings.
Each class will include demonstrations – guiding you in detail through the painting process, and discussion about oil painting method and techniques.
See full description, what paintings you will copy, what art materials you’ll need, and other important information in the tabbed sections below.
Vermeer’s works are largely genre pieces (scenes from everyday life) and portraits, with the exception of two cityscapes and two allegorical pieces. He had no formal training, and there is only limited evidence that Vermeer created any preparatory sketches or traces for his paintings.
Our study of Vermeer is based on scientific analysis of his paintings at different museums and art institutes. Detailed notes will be given, which include historical and background information about the artist and his paintings.
Master Copy Painting
Copying master paintings is one of the best ways to improve your painting skills, and painting the nude figure in particular offers the greatest scope for understanding gesture, capturing proportion, turning form, and mastering the effects of subtle colour.
You will be given a choice of paintings by Vermeer to study and copy, thereby gaining a deep insight into his materials and working methods and techniques. You will copy at least one of the following paintings, depending on how much time you have available. Step-by-step notes on how to copy each painting as well as demonstrations will be given for all three paintings:
Painting Methods & Techniques
The first steps in oil painting make no use of colour – instead, they focus on a technique known as grisaille, which uses only monochrome tones (usually of grey, hence the French, “gris” in “grisaille”). This technique enables you to learn how to mix, understand and apply values and render form. These shorter exercises using grisaille include matching a value strip, rendering a geometric volume, and painting a plaster cast using this monochrome system.
The core principles of 17th-century Dutch painting will be shown in a sequence of simple and logical steps:
- Applying a toned ground or imprimatura
- Making accurate measurements and proportions, and emphasising a good sense of gesture using the dry-brush method
- Delineating light and shadow
- Creating a ‘dead colour’ layer
- Using the full palette to develop the large and medium forms of the first painting
- Rendering the smaller forms and details of the second painting
- Glazing, and paying close attention to edge quality
Throughout the course, you will be shown many time-honoured techniques used to create a realistic painting in oils. You will learn how to organise your palette and mix colours, including realistic skin tones, accurately and economically. Other concepts and techniques will be explained, including:
- Chiaroscuro, sfumato and impasto
- Blending, handling transitions, and edge quality
- Glazing and the ‘fat-over-lean’ principle
- Caring for brushes
- Understanding and utilising solvents and mediums
Studio Practices
As well as learning about Vermeer’s painting method and techniques, 17th-century studio practices will also be explained.
Included
Included on this course:
- Live demonstrations
- Weekly recorded class (available for the duration of the course module)
- Detailed study notes available to download from Google Drive
- Digital reference images
Materials List
This course is suitable for artists at all levels. Please download materials list below.
Download Materials ListTerms & Conditions
Please read carefully before enrolling and paying for this course. By paying for this course you are agreeing to the terms and conditions below:
OIL PAINTS
Oil paints, solvents and mediums (such as mineral spirits, turpentine and linseed oil) will be used on this course, and these have a small and safe degree of toxicity but can emit strong fumes, which may cause headaches, drowsiness and skin irritations.
FEES, CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS
Fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Adrian Cooke Artist reserves the right to cancel this course at any time if the minimum number of students required is not reached. In such cases, your fee will be fully refunded.
Reviews
Adrian is an inspirational and knowledgable teacher, the practicalities of equipment was explored along with emphasis on colour theory. I have done a few courses with Adrian online and I have found that he is always there to offer support and answer questions with detailed suggestions and practical advice. I look forward to more classes with Adrian.
– Anne
Terrific course. Great instructions and guidance. Strongly recommend.
– Ann
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