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4 Week Portrait Course – The Soft Approach
Wednesdays 21st & 28th September, 5th & 12th October 2022
10am – 3:30pm
Blue & Berry Art Gallery, Knutsford Rd, Chelford, Macclesfield SK11 9BB
£495 including refreshments, lunch and a glass of wine.
Course Outline
Learn to use a soft approach to drawing and painting with Christopher Clements to create portrait studies with an expressive, painterly style.
You can choose between working in charcoal, graphite or paint as you produce two portrait studies, one from a high quality reference image and one from life.
You’ll spend the first three days learning the soft approach in your chosen medium from a choice of reference images. Then, on the final day you’ll produce a portrait study from live model, putting into practice what you’ve learned previously.
Easels, drawing boards and paper/canvas boards will be provided, you’ll just need to bring your chosen media to work with, the equipment lists are all at the bottom of this page. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to discuss what would suit you best.
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What is the soft approach?
The soft approach involves working your portrait study up from the largest, most general elements then developing smaller details. At the start everything has soft edges but as you develop the study and add detail, you’ll sharpen selected edges to give your work variety and focus.
This method of working is open and flexible, allowing you to get things right at your own speed over the course of the study.
The soft approach is highly versatile and can also be used to great effect for still life, landscape or figure painting. It is effective approach, especially for Alla Prima work.
Is this course for me?
Whatever your level of experience this approach to portraiture will have something for everyone. The course is particularly suitable for people who would like to develop their portrait drawing or painting abilities and will suit all levels
Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced it will offer you chance to try a different approach and develop your existing skills.
The workshop also provides a chance for you to spend time concentrating on your skills with other like minded, friendly artists. Whether you’re looking to learn fundamental principles or push your skills from a more advanced position, there will be plenty to learn and benefit from.
Places are limited to give you plenty of personal feedback and allow you to work at your own level and pace.
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Essential Info & Booking
4 Week Portrait Course – The Soft Approach
Blue & Berry Art Gallery, Knutsford Rd, Chelford, Macclesfield SK11 9BB
Wednesdays 21st & 28th September, 5th & 12th October 2022
10am – 3:30pm
£495 including refreshments, lunch and a glass of wine.
How to Book
Bookings are made by paying a £40 deposit via Eventbrite, you will then be invoiced for the remaining £455 balance directly. This is due a week before the course begins. Follow the ‘Book Now’ links on this page to Eventbrite pay your deposit.
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How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
email: info@northernrealist.com
What’s the refund policy?
- No deposit refunds unless the course is cancelled,
- The invoiced remainder can be refunded up to 2 weeks in advance.
- Full refund including deposit if the course is cancelled
Materials Lists – What you’ll need to bring
Easels, drawing boards and paper/canvas boards will be provided, you’ll just need to bring your chosen media to work with, the equipment lists are all at the bottom of this page. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to discuss what would suit you best.
Drawing
- HB, 2B pencils and a craft knife if you’re drawing in graphite
- B, HB and H Sticks of Nitram Charcoal or willow charcoal if you are considering drawing in charcoal
- Putty Rubber
- Hard Eraser
- Sanding Block
- Small Bristle Brush (about 1 cm)
- Blending stump
Painting – Oil or Acrylic
- A Range of bristle and synthetic brushes
- 1 house painting brush
- Painting palette
- Palette knife
- Dipping cup
- Rags and kitchen roll
Extras for Oil Painting
- Cold pressed linseed oil
- Turps/Sansodour/Zest It painting solvent
- White spirit or turps substitute for brush cleaning]
Extras for Acrylic Painting
- Extender Medium
- Spray bottle
Colours – Oil or Acrylic
Warm & Cool Palette
- Burnt Sienna or Transparent Oxide Red
- Ultramarine Blue
- Titanium White
Limited Palette
- Blue Black or Ivory Black
- Titanium White
- Yellow Ochre
- Cadmium Red or Cadmium Red Hue
Full Palette Oil or Acrylic Paint
- Titanium White
- Ivory Black or Blue Black
- Yellow Ochre
- Hansa Yellow or Cadmium Lemon Yellow
- Cadmium Yellow Light or Cadmium Yellow Light Hue
- Cadmium Red or Cadmium Red Hue
- Transparent Oxide Red or Burnt Sienna
- Crimson Alizarin
- Ultramarine Blue
- Cobalt Blue or Cerulean Blue
- Viridian