Painting the Urban Landscape

About this course

Participants gather visual material from streets, industrial architecture and other urban locations through drawing, observation and photography, then develop paintings mainly in the studio. Projects address subject selection, editing and rearranging photographic references, drawing from memory, expressive colour relationships, grounds and surfaces, and additive and subtractive paint techniques. Teaching combines presentations, demonstrations, one-to-one tuition and group critiques. The course also examines how personal themes, memory and visual ideas can inform larger and more ambitious paintings.

What you'll learn

• Create drawings and paintings in response to urban environments
• Develop compositions by combining observation, memory and photographic references
• Explore expressive colour relationships, including complementary, saturated and muted palettes
• Apply paint using additive, subtractive and varied tool-based techniques
• Discuss work constructively in group critiques

Is this course right for you?

This advanced masterclass is intended for learners who already have drawing and painting experience. The course involves practical studio work, local observation, photography, discussion and group critiques. Sessions build progressively, so regular attendance is advised, alongside some time at home to develop imagery from the class exercises.

• Designed for people with existing drawing and painting experience
• Most work takes place in the studio, with some drawing and photography in the local area
• Regular attendance is advised because each session builds on the previous one
• Some weekly time at home is recommended for developing personal imagery

Before you go

• Drawing materials are provided for the first session.
• Paper and paint can be purchased at cost price from the college art store.
• Bring a sketchbook and a smartphone or digital camera for taking photographs.
• Further material guidance will be provided during the course.
• Old clothes, an apron or overalls are advisable.
• The classroom is accessible by stairs and lift.