Painting Seascapes: Oil in the Studio

Service Description

Day 1 will focus on muted palette & monochrome atmospheric painting, day two will focus on bright bold coloured sunset/sunrise painting. Students will be encouraged to bring a selection of their own photos on devices to work from, I will send an example selection prior to the course for reference. Day 1 Students will be invited to join me for an optional pre-course early walk on Portobello beach at 7.30am - 9am (August 18th) prior to re-meeting in the afternoon at the studio at 12.30pm. On this walk you may take photos and garner inspiration for the following two days. Between the walk ending at 9am and prior to meeting at 12.30pm you will have the time if you wish to stop by photo printing Edinburgh Drawing School will send information about. Then 1pm - 4pm in the studio to settle. Day 2 From 10am - 11am at 13a Great King Street, Fee will give students a one hour demonstration where she will explain how to use a simple palette of colours, what tools are used, and a variety of techniques. The demo will be followed by a second demonstration on how to use reference photos, to edit and alter composition. Each student will work from their own image to create a seascape, with guidance from Fee throughout the sessions. The group will then take a break to discuss what works and what doesn’t work. Students will then return to complete their individual paintings. If time allows, the group will end the day with working on small canvases with what remains on the palette – more of a fun , free play exercise. Day 3 The final day will follow the same structure as day 2, but will focus on using stronger colours and how to blend rich colours using the technique 'Alla Prima' on canvas. Alla prima is an Italian term which means 'all in the first attempt or time'. Such a technique forces students to make accurate yet spontaneous decisions which in turn reflect nature. Materials required – Oil paints (I use talens Rembrandt but any oil is fine) Prussian Blue, Cadmium red, Cadmium yellow, Titanium white. Fee will bring additional ‘optional colours’ for the students to experiment with. Canvas – x2 Windsor and Newton 18 x 24 traditional linen. A selection of small 30 x 30 canvases – these can be cotton, readily available at the range or hobbycraft. Palette knives – plastic or steel. Brushes – Harris painter and decorator brushes along with a selection of smaller brushes and spalters. Liquin and Zest it Palettes – an old dinner plate, or a sheet of heavy glass.