Figure Painting

Starting January 13, 2025

The focus of this class will be on using paint to describe the figure in action, individually and then as part of a composition. The goal is to create composed paintings, including environments. 

First, we will start with the basic procedures in approaching the figure, drawing with paint and the development of 3D form. The lessons are progressive, becoming more complex from week to week. We will progress to doing multiple figure compositions as well as compositional approaches to portraits.

In general, the procedure will be the Venetian approach of developing forms and composition directly on the canvas. We will use a limited palette of primary colors.

Materials

• Sketchbook or paper and pencils for notes and sketches
• Canvas
  • Cardboard backing from sketchbooks coated with clear acrylic cut to 8 x 10 inches QTY 6
  • or Canvas or Linen Panels or stretched canvas 8x10 inches (does not have to be this exact size) QTY 6
• Brushes: filbert and round
  • The brushes can be other brands, but these are the brushes and sizes Glenn will use:
    • Winton #8 bristle brush filbert 
    • Sareja #5 synthetic bristle round
    • Blick #8 synthetic bristle round
    • #2 synthetic bristle round
• Palette (paper palette works well)
• Oil paint
  • Any brand oil paint is okay
  • M Graham Walnut Oil based
    
    • This is Glenn's favorite and the paint he will use.
  • Water Soluble Oils are also good to use (Any brand is okay. Windsor Newton Artisan is a brand Glenn has used and liked.)
  • Colors
    • Raw Umber
    • Titanium White
    • Alizarin Crimson
    • Cadmium Yellow Light
    • Ultramarine Blue.
• Medium for the brand of paint you are using
• Non solvent brush cleaner 
• Jars or media cups for medium and brush cleaner
• paper towels or rags

Prerequisites Figure Drawing One.