Preparing to paint a portrait
Weekend-long practical course
26 January 2019 10.30am - 5.30pm27 January 2019 10.30am - 5.30pm
The Clore Learning Centre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
£420. Includes all materials, refreshments and a wine reception at the end of the first day.
Klimt / Schiele
Terms and conditions
Explore the preparatory methods used by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele and develop ideas for a portrait painting in this practical course, led by former President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters Robin-Lee Hall.
Artists Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, although 28 years apart in age, developed an influential friendship that travelled in both directions. Although their work was different, both shared a mutual admiration for the other’s talent.
Drawing was key to their daily practice and to the development of their ideas for paintings, especially in the case of the older artist Klimt. Schiele’s drawings, by contrast, were bold independent pictures, which he treated as final pieces in their own right.
Both revelled in the spontaneity of mark-making, allowing them to explore frank naturalism and often unsettling emotion and to challenge the conventions of portraiture and nudes at the time. They also experimented with materials, using black chalk or graphite pencil on Japan paper and brown wrapping paper, and often highlighting drawings with gouache and watercolour paint.
Working directly from life models under the guidance of portrait artist and expert tutor Robin-Lee Hall, participants will look at the contrasting styles and approaches of both artists. Over the course of the weekend, participants will develop drawings using the same types of materials, tools and papers that Klimt and Schiele used in the development of their work, moving onto a painted oil or gouache sketch during the second half of the weekend, inspired by a visit to the Klimt / Schiele exhibition and the drawings developed on the first day.
About the course
This two-day course will explore the styles, materials, compositions and preparatory methods of Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. Working directly from life models on both days, participants will also have the opportunity to study the work of both artists during an illustrated lecture and a visit to the Klimt / Schiele exhibition.
Day one will focus on drawing materials, mark-making and composition with a view to developing ideas for a painting, which will be completed using gouache and oil paint on day two. Participants will use siccative, a quick-drying additive, to speed up the drying process of oil paint.
Participants are advised to bring something to carry works home in, as there are no storage facilities available.
This course will take place in the new Clore Learning Centre at the Royal Academy of Arts.
This course is suitable for all levels, but participants will ideally have some prior experience of drawing, painting or another creative practice.
This course is for you if:
• You have some prior knowledge of drawing and/or painting and would like to extend your skills in the practice of working from direct observation.
• You would like a new perspective in your approach to drawing and painting.
• You would like the opportunity to develop your skills within a small group in the historic setting of the Royal Academy.
• You have no prior experience of drawing and painting, but have an interest in the history, theory and practice of art more generally.
Minimum age 18
The number of participants is strictly limited to enable detailed feedback from the course tutor.
£420
Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 January 2019
10.30am – 5.30pm on both days
Includes:
• An introductory illustrated lecture to the exhibition and course
• A complimentary ticket to the Klimt / Schiele exhibition
• The opportunity to work from professional life models on both days
• All specialist practical art materials
• Course learning materials and hand-outs
• Refreshments on both days
• A drinks reception at the end of the first day
• A certificate of participation upon course completion
About the tutor
Robin-Lee Hall
Robin-Lee Hall is a practising artist specialising in portraiture and egg tempera. She is Past President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. Her work has varied from standing on top of the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square at midnight in 2009 painting a view of the National Gallery as part of Antony Gormley RA’s ONE & OTHER project, to exhibiting in the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery. She has won the Ondaatje Prize for Portraiture and has exhibited widely including at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition for which, in 2012, the BBC Culture Show visited her studio and followed her progress.
In 2017 a film of her demonstrating drawing techniques was used in The Encounter, an exhibition of drawings from Leonardo to Rembrandt at the National Portrait Gallery.
In addition to portraits, she paints still-life paintings of British confectionery, toys and cakes and is developing drawings based on ancient drawing using silverpoint and digital drawing working on an iPad.
Our courses and classes programme
Our programme of short courses and classes offers the opportunity to explore a range of subjects, led by expert tutors and practising artists.