Oil painting: focus on light and shade

About this course

The course uses film noir imagery, including tonal film stills, faces and solitary figures, as starting points for oil paintings. Learners will investigate how light, shadow and colour can shape atmosphere and drama, while considering connections with artists such as Edward Hopper, Caravaggio, Gerhard Richter and Cindy Sherman. Teaching combines slide shows, books, practical demonstrations, website research, and group and individual advice. The course includes wet and dry oil painting exercises and culminates in a longer painting based on each learner’s preferred approach.

What you'll learn

• Develop a colour-tone palette from black-and-white studies.
• Apply wet and dry oil painting methods to build an emerging image.
• Structure an oil painting using tonal contrasts to create luminosity and mood.
• Use film, photography and art history as sources for painting ideas.

Is this course right for you?

Although listed as suitable for all levels, the course requires basic drawing and oil painting experience. It is intended for learners who want to examine a colour-tone approach in depth, working through demonstrations, group discussion and individual advice before developing a longer painting.

• Basic drawing and oil painting experience is necessary.
• Some research into suggested artists, websites and related concepts may be undertaken as the course develops.

Before you go

• Basic course materials are provided.
• Bring two glass jars with lids.
• Any paper used for oil painting must be primed and completely dry. Primed cartridge paper is prepared for the first session; afterwards, learners can buy ready-primed paper from LGC using student discount or prime and dry City Lit cartridge paper during the course.
• A canvas may be brought for the final session, but this is optional.