Painting Art History with The Impressionists Short Course

About this course

The course examines how Impressionist painters used colour, mark-making and composition to develop and communicate ideas. Using works by Monet, Degas, Van Gogh and Cezanne as reference points, participants explore painting as a material and experimental process. Teaching includes study of the National Gallery’s collection and an in-depth lecture on material practice in Impressionist painting. The course considers how historical techniques and approaches can inform participants’ own painting and drawing practice.

What you'll learn

• Use colour, mark-making and composition to develop visual ideas
• Examine experimental material processes in Impressionist painting
• Analyse selected works by Monet, Degas, Van Gogh and Cezanne
• Relate Impressionist approaches to personal painting and drawing practice

Is this course right for you?

The course is suitable for learners with intermediate painting and drawing skills, as well as beginners whose interest centres on art history and curation. It may also suit people from other creative fields who want to extend their understanding of painting and art.

• Suitable for learners approaching the subject through art history or curation
• Relevant to participants working in other creative fields

Before you go

• Attendance at the first session is essential because it includes the course introduction and lecture on Impressionist material practice.