Painting the Figure

This class will provide you with an introduction to figure painting. Students will work from the live model. Emphasis will be given to seeing color and value (lights and darks) and mixing color. Students will gain understanding in how to translate what they see when looking at the model into a painting. Several demonstrations will be given during the class. Personal attention will be given to each student according to their experience. All levels of experience will benefit from this very fundamental course.

What you will learn:

  • Students will gain confidence in drawing the figure

  • Understanding of the importance of “gesture”

  • How to describe the mass and form with light and shadow

  • How to see proportion

  • Seeing the model in terms of shape, color and line quality

Required supplies:

  • Paint:

    • White; Zinc + Titanium (comes in one tube called “Mixed White”)
    • Ivory Black
    • Ultramarine Blue
    • Indian Red
    • Transparent Oxide Red
    • Cadmium Red Light
    • Yellow Ochre
    • Cadmium Yellow

  • Liquin

  • Brushes should be a combination of bristle and sable or artificial sable brushes. Winsor & Newton brand brushes recommended:

    • Lexington Filbert series, #’s 6,8 & 10 – two of each
    • Monarch Filbert series, #’s 4,6 & 8 – two of each
    • Monarch Round series, #’s, 2, 4 & 6 – two of each

  • Either a “strip” palette made of sheets on a pad, or a wooden palette

  • Palette cups, which clip onto the palette and hold the medium and solvent

  • Mineral spirits, turpenoid, or Gamsol

  • Paper towels

  • Stretched canvas, cotton or linen, or canvas boards (suggested sizes: 12 x 14, 14 x 18, 16 x 20, or 18 x 24 inches)

  • Palette knife for scraping the palette