Description
Representation, colour and seeing.
We are currently offering periods of short courses of still life sessions over 12 weeks. These sessions are conducted via Zoom with private interaction via email with the tutor.
- Learn to paint directly in oil paint
- Unpack the secrets of great composition
- Explore colour and how to mix it
- Work from still life and the human figure
- Become expert in studio practice
- Get close support from experts
When we learn to paint in oils we bring together a wide range of creative skills. Drawing, so fundamental to the visual arts needs to be mastered with a method for nailing proportion. Add to that an understanding of tone, line, colour, edge, composition, design, texture and so on and the task can appear mammoth. Like an elephant, mammoths are eaten one bite at a time, with Clare those bites become appetising mouthfuls garnished with good humour.
In this course Clare works with you at the level you find yourself. Skills will be built when required and with agreement a programme will be developed to best bring you towards excellence. Clare works with deep principles that underlie representational, impressionistic or abstracted images giving you the freedom to develop your own voice whilst exercising artistic rigour. “Thinking abstractly to create representation” is how she puts it. It is not a specific method or series of steps but rather a training of the sensibilities.
Rather than creating a finished masterpiece, Clare will introduce a series of exercises to allow you to gain experience and skills in working from still life or the figure, interpreting what we see with paint and colour shapes, to build experience as a painter, to ask questions, explore colour and try to understand how to represent what we see with paint.
She is endlessly supportive and has a gentle touch whilst being relentless in pushing you towards your best.
Demonstration will be given and plenty of one on one tuition. Different themes and ideas will be introduced dynamically in response to the progress of the individual and the group.
Clare’s approach starts with a series of questions about what we see: to define a well-composed statement about the drama of colour, tone and edge out of which emerges the illusion of form. She will teach us a realist method that grows from the abstract qualities of what we see. As such it is suitable for beginners and those wishing to refine their technique.
The method you will be taught is part of a long tradition of direct or ‘alla prima’ painting – the paint is applied in its final colour directly to the canvas without under painting, glazes or scumbles.
Once mastered it is a quick and effective way of painting images with great subtlety or intensity.
When learning to paint we try to keep things simple so that may mean using a reduced palette and painting just a few objects.
Subjects will include still life. When we paint still life we are often describing simple regular forms like vases and bottles. The skills put in place support more complex forms as we progress.
Over the course Clare will shepherd us from blinking incomprehension through tentative steps and finally quiet confidence as we learn to see the light that falls rather than that which it falls upon.
She will introduce us to the materials so that we will be able to choose surfaces, brushes and paints that best serve our purposes. Colour mixing will be explained so that you will be able to mix the colour that you see or the one you want to see. Care of brushes, palette and so on will be picked up along the way as we all go about the business of being an artist for the day.
About Clare
Acclaimed artist Clare Haward‘s work appears in galleries around the country and in many private collections. She regularly exhibits in national shows and competitions. Her quixotic approach to painting confounded the presenters on the recent Sky Landscape Artist of the year for which she was selected. Her approach is rigorous and sensual, sensitive to colour and composition, edge and tone. Clare is acutely aesthetic with an exquisite colour sense and best of all she’s a fine communicator.
What some of Clare’s students say about working with her:
“Clare is a sensitive teacher who gives you tailored advice to improve your own painting technique. After being taught by Clare I have noticed a big change in my ability to translate the colours that I see onto the canvas, and her words of wisdom have been a huge support throughout my artistic development.” – Lauren
“Clare’s method of painting is so completely different from mine that I felt I was exploring very new ground. Her personality and teaching approach are very thoughtful, caring and gentle in manner. She has a very intelligent insight into how best to explain her work and how different learners require different approaches.” – Robert
“I really enjoyed the way we just jumped straight in and got painting. Clare is encouraging in a constructive and helpful way. I know I’m terrible for giving up on a piece and moving on if I don’t feel it’s going well and she’s great at telling me which bit to look at/work on next and see that there’s (usually!) something worth persevering with.” – Emma
“I have loved doing Clare’s class. She is inspiring, patient and encouraging. I haven’t painted for years, so Clare’s class has been immensely helpful in removing my fear of putting paint on canvas, and seeing improvement as we’ve progressed is quite fulfilling! I’d highly recommend it for anyone wishing to paint!” – Charlie
“Clare was encouraging with my painting efforts in many ways. She provided a challenging project yet was also patient with me carrying it out. She taught one of the most important skills and that was “how to see.” I’d definitely recommend her class to anyone keen to develop their painting skills.”– Doug
If you’d like to talk to Clare about any aspect of this course please email her directly on clarehaward@hotmail.com or ring the Dulwich Art Group on 0770 4450 169
Course fees
Mondays – twelve full days £600
Fridays – twelve half days £350
Paying a deposit to secure your place is possible.
