Master Copy Course

Sargent Master Copy Painting Course

Clements, stages of Sargeant copy

Paint a study of a John Singer Sargent portrait to learn about the methods of its production and expand your painting technique.

  • Sargeant Master Copy Painting Course
  • 18th January – 15th February 2023
  • Blue & Berry Art Gallery, Knutsford Rd, Chelford, Macclesfield SK11 9BB
  • Price £625

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Why Make Master Copies?

By making a copy of a master painting you’ll gain a unique insight into its production and learn to see the original with a new found fascination. 

Making copies was used as a traditional training method and was done by many artists throughout their careers because it provides three very important benefits:

  • A means to study a master painting in a very personal way.
  • The chance to explore the practical techniques used to make it.
  • And how a great artist approached a particular subject.

We will be working from Sargent’s Self Portrait of 1906 and you will explore ways to simplify the main elements and build up successive levels of detail.

The point of making copies is not to make an exact replica but to develop a deeper understanding of the painting while expanding your own working methods. What you discover can open up new possibilities within your personal work.

We’ll be using a limited palette to keep the colour mixes simple and maintain a sense of unity throughout your copy. This palette is sometimes known as the ‘Zorn’ Palette after the 19th Century Swedish painter known for the incredible range and unity he achieved using very few colours.

A limited choice of colours also helps you understand the basic ingredients of a palette. It’s very helpful if you’re just getting started with colour or want to go back to basics to develop your existing knowledge.

To really get to grips with the palette you’ll also complete colour mixing exercises designed to help you explore the palette, the role of each pigment and how it combines with the others to create clean, vibrant skin tones. 

The limited palette helps you explore fundamental principles which under pin all colour mixing and the practical experience you’ll gain will give you a foundation for more advanced colour use. 

Master Copy Oil Painting on the Northern Realist Classical Atelier Course, Manchester
Master Copy Oil Painting at Northern Realist

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What you’ll learn

  • The technique used to create the original painting
  • Layering from general tone and colour up to the smaller details 
  • Colour identification, mixing and adjusting

Is this workshop for me?

Whether you’re looking to learn fundamental principles or brush up existing skills, the course will have plenty to offer. There are only 8 places, giving you plenty of attention and feedback. Some experience of drawing is useful but this is a good course if you’d like an introduction to oil painting and colour use.

What you’ll need

Canvas boards will be provided but you’ll need to bring:

  • A range of hog bristle and synthetic painting brushes 
  • 1 House painting brush
  • Turpentine, Odourless Mineral Spirits, Sansodor, Zest it or similar
  • Cold Pressed Linseed Oil
  • Painting Palette
  • Dipping Cup
  • Titanium White Oil Paint
  • Ivory Black or Blue Black Oil Paint
  • Yellow Ochre Oil Paint
  • Cadmium Red or Cadmium Red Hue Oil Paint
  • Rags and Kitchen Roll

Essential Info & Booking

How to Book

Bookings are made via the Blue & Berry Gallery Website, follow the Book Now link and the select the Sargent Master Copy Course.

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

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