Push your drawing and painting abilities and command of materials while developing your observational skills and appreciation of traditional methods.
The Atelier method of learning to draw & paint gives you a structured approach to learning your craft, introducing one concept at a time. This workshop will give you the opportunity to build your drawing & painting skills progressively without getting overwhelmed.
The workshop is divided into four levels, you can choose which level to do depending on your experience. Completing them in order gives you the skills to tackle the next step and enables you to gain maximum benefit from your studies.
The workshops have a limited number of places to maximise your individual benefit and help you get the most out of your time at Northern Realist so early booking is recommended.
There are two 5 day Classical Atelier Workshops, join either or both and the workshop/s can be tailored to your goals. Email info@northernrealist.com if you’d like more information about how this could work for you.
Choose from:
Level 1: Master Copy Drawing
Learn the fundamental principles of classical drawing by copying a lithograph plate from Charles Bargue’s famous drawing course. If you’re new to classical drawing this is an invaluable way to understand the approach and is usually the first exercise in an Atelier programme.
The Bargue plates range in level, progressively guiding you through essential drawing principles. The concepts covered in this course underpin all the Northern Realist courses and will really help you understand our approach.
- Acurate drawing of shapes
- Light and shade
- Representing three dimensional form in your work
- General to specific rendering of form, texture & detail
- Sight size drawing technique
Level 2: Cast Drawing & Painting
Cast Drawing is the next step and is the perfect way to study form, teaching you how to accurately represent three dimensional objects on paper. Because casts are painted white you can study form and light without the added complication of the local colour variations that you have to deal with when working from a model.
Cast drawing provides a great way for you to transition from drawing to painting. You can learn essential painting principles while using charcoal and avoiding the added complication of a liquid medium before progressing to paint.
- Representing three dimensional form in a drawing
- Sight Size Technique
- The relationship of light and form
- Light, Shadow & Midtone
- Reflected Light
- General to specific rendering of texture, detail and edges
Level 3: Master Copy Painting
Study a masterpiece and explore the methods of its production. Copying master paintings provides two very important benefits: You can study a great painting with a focus otherwise impossible; Secondly you learn about the techniques used to make it which will help you expand your own working methods.
Painting copies introduces you to a wide range of techniques and approaches particular to your chosen copy. Once you’ve made a copy of a painting you’ll look at the original with a new found fascination!
- Layering of the painting
- Blocking in & wash drawing
- Grisaille & impasto underpainting
- Working up of colour
- Colour glazing & finishing
Level 4: Still Life Painting
This is where you get to put into practice all the principles covered in the first three levels in a more creative way. You’ll also deal with composition as you’ll have much more control over the design of your work.
You’ll look at ways to arrange a simple collection of complementary objects to create a unified composition. You will draw on all the principles of shape, form and colour covered in the other courses to develop your own still life. As your painting progresses you’ll learn how to render texture as well as bringing a sense of focus to the whole piece.
- Composition
- Blocking in & underpainting
- Tonal value & local colour
- Layering techniques
- Rendering of different materials
Course Details
- Date: TBC
- Location: Northern Realist Studio, Manchester – Map
- Materials: Drawing Media – use contact form / email info@northernrealist for full list
- Course Length: 30hrs Hours over 5 Days
- Hours: 09:45-16:30