Autumn 2025 dates TBC
£200 3 days (£150 for Sat/Sun only) Price TBC
9am to 4pm
Based at Portishead Yacht Club.
Ian will help you capture a likeness of the sitter and help with handling of charcoal or oil paint.
The course will be suitable for beginners or more experienced artists.
You will be working from a clothed portrait model with the inherent exciting challenge of converting a real-life 3D breathing person into a 2D image.
The fundamental of getting a likeness is drawing but it doesn’t have to be complicated, this will be a plumbline free zone. The overriding aim is to really look at the model and put down what you are seeing. This is easier said than done but Ian will share many techniques to help you check your own work as you go that you will then be able to apply to your work at home.
The course will be limited to a maximum of six students to allow plenty of time for one to one support and good views of the model.
Course Outline:
There are various approaches to starting a painting or drawing, different techniques suit different people so Ian will cover a range of methods.
Day 1
Tonal drawing in charcoal
Contour drawing in charcoal, pencil or thin paint.
Size, what size to draw?
Squint to simplify and see big shapes before small shapes.
Squint to see the tonal range.
Ian will demonstrate as needed to suit the group’s ability.
Days 2 & 3
The group will have the same model for days 2 and 3 so you can continue trying different approaches from day 1 or begin work on a longer study.
Keep squinting.
Introduction to the limited palette and a demo, for those doing painting. Oil painting can seem overwhelming and complex so Ian will keep things simple with a palette of 3 colours plus white and a bit of solvent at the initial stages.
There’s sometimes a hurdle moving from the drawing to painting stage, Ian will help with that transition or help you develop your charcoal drawing further if you prefer.
Materials
All basic materials will be provided.
You are welcome to bring any favourite paints or easel.
Please bring 4+ hog hair size 4-8 brushes suitable for oil painting, ideally filberts and a 16×20 inch canvas if you would like to use one.
Other info
There are steps and a slope down to the yacht club, Ian will be available to help carry things.
You might get a bit messy so dress appropriately or bring an apron.
Enquire about the course.
Ian Price
Ian is an artist working in oil paint and has been organising and running portrait courses for Andrew James at this venue for 8 years and has often been asked about courses for beginner or novice artists.
Ian now has the opportunity to offer portrait tuition himself for the first time.
As well as learning under Andrew James, Ian has benefitted from being taught by many other award winning portrait artists such as Felicia Forte, Teresa Oaxaca and Luca Indracollo. This exposure to a range of approaches has led to the point where he sees all methods are valid and there’s no need to dogmatically stick to one if that doesn’t suit you or the subject.
Ian has exhibited widely including having work selected for the NEAC, ROI, BSOA LPS and Holburne Portrait Prize.
Location – Portishead Yacht School Clubhouse
A beautiful location overlooking the Severn, free parking on Belton Rd, park at end by coast, the Clubhouse is down a short path to the right. Postcode for sat nav BS20 8DR
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