Life painting: contemporary approaches

About this course

Participants explore ways to construct a contemporary life painting, combining traditional approaches to proportion, structure, light and skin tones with expression and imagination. The course covers palette arrangement, colour mixing, paint application, texture, impasto and compositional choices such as cropping, alongside ideas about identity in contemporary life painting. Teaching combines demonstrations, practical application, one-to-one tuition and group discussion. Learners are also encouraged to reflect on their own work and identify areas for development.

What you'll learn

• Compose a life painting using contemporary approaches to structure and cropping
• Mix acrylic paint to create a range of colours and skin tones
• Apply paint using varied textures and impasto techniques
• Assess areas for improvement in a life painting
• Use strategies associated with contemporary artists in a personal response

Is this course right for you?

The course is suitable for learners at all levels. Previous life drawing experience is described as an advantage rather than a requirement. Participation includes practical work, demonstrations, individual tuition, group discussion and reflection on personal work.

Before you go

• All basic materials are included.