In this class, students learn how to create a convincing three dimensional reality of the human form in their paintings.
Together we investigate the shapes of the human body and the conceptual principles of how light falls across and interacts with those shapes to create the illusion of form. Using a limited palette, students can learn these foundational principles without juggling the added complexity of full color. This method can act as an under painting for later explorations of long pose, or can be used as a final painting procedure.
This course is a continuation of the intro to figure painting class, but it is not required to have taken that course to sign up for this one.
This class is part of a year long course in learning to paint the human figure. Every 6 weeks a new class begins covering a different facet of figure painting: starting with an introduction to materials and short poses in the Fall, and ending with long pose, highly finished paintings at the end of the academic year in May. This allows students to “hop on and off” throughout the year to tackle relevant concepts to their practice, or to dive deep and sign up for the year.
Substrates Stretched Cotton duck Canvas. 16x20 or larger for figure, 12x16 or larger for still life. Alternatively, gessoboard or masonite panels are acceptable. All substrates must be toned a neutral gray. See toning procedure below for more information.
Brushes Hog Hair Bristle Brushes, Filberts, x2 in sizes 4,3,2 Synthetic or natural hair, Rounds, x2 in sizes 4,3,2 Silver Grand Prix, Blick Master Stroke and Princeton Snap brands recommended.
Solvent Odorless mineral spirits in a brush-washer or jar with sealable lid.
Medium 2 parts odorless mineral spirits to 1 part stand oil in a sealable jar.
Rags Home depot shop towels recommended, or viva paper towels.
Palette A wooden palette 9x12 or larger, stained a neutral brown and sealed is preferred. New Wave brand is recommended. Glass is also acceptable. Palette paper is unacceptable.
Canvas Toning Procedure Using a middle tone neutral gray acrylic paint (Meininger’s sells a ready made tube of this color) Mix the paint in a shallow bowl or pie tin with enough water to get the consistency of melted ice cream. Once mixed, take a medium sized chip brush and brush the tone onto the canvas or panel to cover the surface. Once coated, lightly drag the brush from top to bottom in long parallel strokes to create a uniform and even surface. Let dry for 20 minutes.
Oil Paints I utilize different colors with students depending on the course and goal of study. Below are lists of the pigments used for various courses of study. All students are required to use professional grade artists colors - student grade paint has so much filler in it, you will actually save money by purchasing quality paint because you will use less of it. I recommend Winsor & Newton as a solid, quality product as a reasonable price, but you’re welcome to use whatever brands are accessible to you. Colors are laid out at the top of the palette from left to right:
Limited Palette for Figure and Portrait: Titanium White Burnt Umber Burnt Sienna Permanent Alizarin Crimson Cadmium Red Cadmium Orange Cadmium Yellow Viridian Ultramarine Blue Ivory Black
Color Study Palette: Titanium White Burnt Umber Permanent Alizarin Crimson Permanent Rose Perylene Red Cadmium Red Deep Cadmium Red Cadmium Scarlet Cadmium Orange Indian Yellow Cadmium Yellow Cadmium Yellow Pale Cadmium Green Pale Permanent Green Light Pthalo Turquoise Sevres Blue Ultramarine Blue Dioxazine Purple
Figure, form painting palette: titanium white burnt umber cadmium red cadmium yellow ivory black
