Level: All levels welcome.

In this workshop, you will create a still life painting using a ‘split primary’ palette. Limiting your choice of paints to just 6 (plus white) forces you to explore the art of mixing, thereby deepening your understanding of colour interactions.

We will also be paying attention to laying loose marks, placing transparent colours next to opaque ones, and contrasting warm colours with cool colours.

We will explore various compositional ideas and guidelines by arranging our still life against different coloured backgrounds and lighting them to create interesting shadow shapes. There will also be the option to include transparent and reflective objects.

After sketching our composition on the canvas, you will focus on applying the paint in a dynamic and interesting way: concentrating on colour mixing, brushwork, and how to paint shadows effectively.

Guidance and demonstrations will be provided throughout the day.

Type of medium used: Acrylic paint or oils.

Materials provided: Plums, crockery and cutlery.

What to bring:

• Packed Lunch

• A Painting Shirt or Apron

• A Canvas or Board min A4, max A3 (square or rectangle)

• A selection of Brushes

• Artist Quality Paints (Oils or Acrylics) to include: French Ultramarine, Cerulean, Cadmium Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Titanium White.

• A Black Sharpie and a ‘Fine Liner’ Pen (or similar)

• Palette knife

• Paper Palette and a Box to take your work home in

• A roll of paper towel

• Acrylics only: A stay wet palette (if you have one - not essential)  

• Oils only: A jar with a lid, ‘Liquin’ painting medium and some low odour thinners, some rags or plenty of paper towel to wipe brushes clean.

• Cost: £70 per person