THE PORTRAIT COURSE
At SSCA, being able to paint skillfully from life is the essential result of all of the skills we teach. In this course students attend the one-week portrait course and work from the live model.
2023 DATES
WINTER COURSE:
Group one - January 9th - 13th
ONLINE GROUP - January 16th - 20th
£200
SUMMER COURSE:
Group one - July 24th - 28th
Group two - July 31st - August 4th
5 Days 10AM - 4PM
£400
(can be split into four equal payments of £100, or two of £200)
This course serves as a comprehensive introduction to the practice of realistic painting and drawing. Its principal objective is to acquaint students with the principles and techniques essential to achieve lifelike representations of subjects. Through a meticulous disemination of the SSCA method, students will gain a profound understanding of the school’s process.
The course commences with a thorough, technical demonstration, meticulously addressing the intricacies of color mixing, palette structure, and medium use. Students will then engage in hands-on practice, employing these techniques to create paintings based on live models. The course structure allocates dedicated time to theory and drawing, with two hours dedicated to these activities in the morning. In the afternoon, students will devote three hours to working directly with live models.
A crucial aspect of the course is the cultivation of students' ability to accurately portray three-dimensional forms on a two-dimensional surface. Through the creation of realistic portraits from life, students will create a diverse range of hues from a limited palette, discovering their harmonious interplay and mastering the construction of three-dimensional anatomical forms on a two-dimensional surface. Assignments will encompass drawings of varying durations, ranging from brief sketches of three, five, and ten minutes to the development of structured outlines for painted portraits, ultimately culminating in the creation of fully rendered oil portraits.
During the afternoon sessions, students will be immersed in a rich and atmospheric environment, engaging in the classical art of portrait painting. Emphasis will be placed on fundamental elements of portrait painting such as; rhythm, hue, structure, colour-intensity lighting, anatomy among many others. Regardless of prior experience, students will refine and elevate their ability to paint from life, expanding their artistic repertoire. The knowledge and skills acquired throughout this course are transferable to any aspect of artistic endeavour.
To facilitate accurate proportions and measurements, students will employ the sight-size method of measurement, alongside additional drawing techniques such as Riley and Loomis. Individualised critique will be provided, ensuring that students of all proficiency levels feel welcomed and supported throughout the course.
MATERIALS LIST
1 HB Pencil
1 sharpener
Sheet of tracing paper, A4 size.
One 10x12 canvas board.
75ml Bottle of Windsor Newton Liquin
One tube of Burnt Umber or Raw Umber acrylic paint, black acrylic paint, white (any brand, any quality, small size)
Small bottle of odourless solvents.
Oil Paints - Daler Rowney Georgian Oil Colours or Windsor Newton Oil Colour (must include Oxide Light Red, raw Umber, Burnt Umber, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red, Ivory black, Yellow ochre, Titanium White, Ultramarine Blue) 75ml/37ml
1 pack of baby wipes
One pad of paper tear-away palettes (or if you prefer a plastic/wooden palette, just remember to keep it clean)
Artist brushes of good quality or long handled cat's tongue brushes sizes 2-12.
(Long handle if possible)
https://www.rosemaryandco.com/watercolour-brushes/golden-synthetic/filbert-cats-tongue
THE ART OF ANATOMY
A FIGURE DRAWING MASTERCLASS
ONCE A WEEK, ANY AFTERNOON, TUESDAY - FRIDAY 1-4PM
AUGUST 8TH - OCTOBER 27TH 2023
TWELVE SESSIONS OVER TWELVE WEEKS
£400
(Can be split into two monthly payments of £200)
THE SCOTTISH SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL ART
The Space
257 London Road
G401PE
Students who join "The Art of Anatomy" can expect to create an effective, believable impression of the human figure, rendered, in graphite, in an academic style, informed with new anatomical knowledge, learned via the course.
The creation of a two-dimensional representation of a living, human figure is central to the program at SSCA, as it utilizes the techniques and knowledge gained through still lifes and 2D studies. Students who join “The Art of Anatomy” can engage, purely, with the figure drawing and anatomy portions of the core program and attend one afternoon a week.
Our approach to achieving realistic and finely rendered figure drawings in an academic style is through the Riley Method, which focuses on the placement of the main volumes of the human body and their interconnections through rhythms. This method involves elements of artistic anatomy and the figure in motion, resulting in a dynamic and naturalistic depiction of the figure.
To achieve a realistic representation, students at SSCA begin by "mannequinizing" the figure using the Riley Method to establish the main volumes and then proceed to add more specific features. The use of tone and shadow mapping, as well as the depiction of the most descriptive shapes, helps to bring the drawing to a rendered state.
Through this process, students progress from a focus on structure and simple outlines to a deeper understanding of anatomy, resulting in the creation of realistic proportions and a sense of weight and balance. Students then learn to use techniques such as edge quality and grouping of light and shadow families to imply the form of the figure and think more like complete painters, creating focal points and manipulating edge quality. In addition to these methods, students also learn various techniques for quickly sketching the figure, such as gestural quick-sketches, structural quick-sketches, and shadow maps, among others, to capture the complex nature of the figure.
Key learning objectives in “The Art of Anatomy” include the application of knowledge in representing the anatomy of the human figure, understanding how to use a complex “shadow map” to illustrate how light is cast across the form of the figure, illustrating a realistically proportioned human figure, developing skill in representing the subtle variations in forms from pose to pose.
The Riley Method is a unique approach to figure drawing that was developed by artist and educator, Frank Riley. This method emphasizes the importance of proportion, anatomy, and gesture in creating realistic and expressive drawings of the human figure.
The Riley Method begins with an understanding of the basic proportions of the human body. Students are taught to break down the figure into simple geometric shapes and to use these shapes as a framework for their drawings. By using these shapes as a guide, students can quickly establish the overall proportions of the figure and ensure that their drawings are accurate.
In addition to understanding proportion, the Riley Method also emphasizes the study of anatomy. Students are taught to understand the underlying structure of the human body and to use this knowledge to create more convincing and realistic drawings. By studying the bones, muscles, and other structures that make up the human figure, students are able to create drawings that have a greater sense of depth and dimensionality.
Finally, the Riley Method places a strong emphasis on gesture. Gesture refers to the movement and energy that is inherent in the human figure. By capturing the gesture of the figure, students are able to create drawings that are more dynamic and expressive. Through a series of exercises and studies, students learn to capture the gesture of the figure quickly and confidently.
Overall, the Riley Method is a comprehensive approach to figure drawing that emphasizes the importance of proportion, anatomy, and gesture. By mastering these elements, students are able to create drawings that are both realistic and expressive, and that capture the essence of the human figure.
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ANATOMY FOR THE ARTIST
WINTER COURSE 2023 NOVEMBER 6TH-17TH
Monday - Friday 10AM-5PM
During the Anatomy for the Artist course at our institution, we provide students with new methods for comprehending the structures of the human body. Our emphasis on drawing from life necessitates a thorough and rigorous approach to the study of anatomy. In order to facilitate understanding and efficient representation of the complex forms of the figure, we aim to impart new ways of simplifying them.
The principal objective of our anatomy curriculum is to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the skeletal framework and the precise ratios and planes of the human form. Our pedagogical approach is focused on cultivating an awareness of the fundamental constructional landmarks and the acquisition of a 3d perception of each anatomical structure. To this end, our program comprises of a series of key investigations, such as the three-dimensional projection of the skeletal system, the cranium, the thoracic cavity and vertebral column, the pelvic girdle, the major articulations (i.e., elbow and knee), the appendages (i.e., hands and feet), and the muscles of the cephalic and cervical regions, the trunk (both anterior and posterior), the inferior extremities, and the hands and feet. Additionally, our curriculum incorporates a schematic representation of the entire human figure to consolidate the students' knowledge of the subject matter.
ACADEMIC DRAWING
£280
The academic drawing process at SSCA, condensed over five days.
The pedagogical techniques employed by artistic masters of the past have endured over centuries and continue to serve as a cornerstone of training for contemporary artists of varying levels of proficiency. The Charles Bargue Drawing Course, developed during the mid 19th century, has played a critical role in fine art instruction as a foundational exercise aimed at honing the essential skills of shape replication, form, edge quality, values or tones, line weight and design among a host of others. This step-by-step approach has enabled practitioners to develop their drawing abilities and cultivate a disciplined and nuanced technique. As such, the Bargue method remains a crucial tool for aspiring artists seeking to refine their craft and achieve mastery in the realm of visual art.
Learn a condensed version of this process over five days with a flexbile start date - once you have booked your place, please send an email to confirm your start date.
FLEXIBLE START DATE - 5 DAYS
PAINTING THE CLASSICAL FIGURE
Monday, August 7th - Monday, October 23rd
Twelve Evenings 6pm - 9pm
The Scottish School of Cassical Art
£400
The Scottish School of Classical Art is pleased to offer an intensive three-month course on the techniques of classical painting. This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the methods used by the most brilliant painters of the Renaissance and beyond, with a focus on replicating the works of old masters.
The course begins with a technical demonstration of color mixing, imprimatura preparation, palette organization, and medium preparation. This serves as a foundation for the subsequent lectures and workshops, which will cover a range of topics including master drawing techniques, tracing and copying, and the study of lighting situations and how they reveal form. Additionally, students will learn about brushstrokes, blending, media use, palette preparation, and painting posture, as well as value scales.
Throughout the course, students will spend a significant amount of time working on their own paintings, replicating the techniques they have learned in class. Through this hands-on approach, students will gain a deeper understanding of the principles of classical painting and be able to apply them in their own work.
Throughout the course, there will be opportunities for students to discuss and critique each other's work, providing them with valuable feedback and furthering their understanding of the techniques and methods being taught.
By the end of the course, students will have learned the essential points of figure painting and will have produced a believable, visual impression of the figure in real space, rendered in paint with traditional methods. This course is ideal for artists and painters who wish to improve their skills and deepen their understanding of classical painting techniques.
LESSON PLAN:
Lesson 1: Introduction to color mixing, imprimatura preparation, palette organization, and medium preparation
Students will learn the basics of color mixing and how to create a range of hues and shades
They will learn how to prepare an imprimatura, which serves as a base layer for painting
They will also learn how to organize their palette and prepare their medium
Lesson 2: Master drawing techniques
Students will learn how to properly hold and use a pencil or charcoal to create accurate and detailed drawings
They will learn about different types of lines and how to use them to create different effects
They will also learn about composition, perspective, and how to create the illusion of depth
Lesson 3: Tracing and copying
Students will learn how to trace and copy the works of old masters
They will learn how to use tracing paper and how to transfer the image onto canvas
They will also learn how to make adjustments to the image to make it their own
Lesson 4: Lighting situations and form
Students will learn about different lighting situations and how they reveal form
They will learn how to paint light and shadow
They will also learn how to create the illusion of volume and depth
Lesson 5: Brushstrokes, blending, and media use
Students will learn how to use different brushstrokes to create different effects
They will learn how to blend colors and create smooth transitions
They will also learn about the different types of media they can use, such as oils, acrylics, and watercolors
Lesson 6: Palette preparation and painting posture
Students will learn how to prepare their palette and how to use it effectively
They will learn about painting posture and how to maintain proper technique to avoid injury
Lesson 7: Value scales
Students will learn about value scales and how to use them to create the illusion of depth
They will learn how to create a range of values and how to use them in their paintings
Lesson 8: Hands-on painting
Students will spend time working on their own paintings, replicating the techniques they have learned in class
They will have the opportunity to discuss and critique each other's work, providing valuable feedback
Lesson 9: Figure painting
Students will learn the essential points of figure painting
They will learn how to create a believable, visual impression of the figure in real space
They will learn how to use traditional methods to render the figure in paint
Lesson 10-12: Final project and course review
Students will complete a final project and have the opportunity to showcase their work
The course will be reviewed and any remaining questions or concerns will be addressed.
THE TWO-DAY COURSE
The core program, condensed over two days a week.
Autumn Semester: October 10th - December 16th
Winter Semester: January 23rd - March 31st, 2023
Spring Semester: April 17th - July 7th
Any two days, Monday - Friday, 10-5
£600 (Can be split into three equal monthly payments)
ACADEMIC DRAWING
The Starting Academic Drawing course is the first year of the curriculum, focused on the mastery of fundamental drawing concepts through the replication of images in the Charles Bargue Drawing Course. Through sustained practice, students acquire skills in two-dimensional representation, sight-size measurement, and the replication of three-dimensional forms from two-dimensional drawings. The course aims to develop proficiency in tools, achieve high drawing cleanliness, and apply proper concepts, knowledge, and processes to drawings. Read more here.
FIGURE DRAWING AND PAINTING
SSCA's core program focuses on creating realistic and finely rendered figure drawings, through the academic approach to rendering and the Riley Method. Riley method emphasizes the placement of the main volumes of the human body, anatomy, and interconnects them through rthymical shapes which recur. The approach involves breaking down the figure into three dimensional forms and capturing its gesture, resulting in drawings that are both accurate, realistic and beautifully designed. Read more here.
STILL LIFE AND PORTRAITURE
At SSCA, students explore still life and portrait painting, experimenting with a range of materials, lighting setups, and compositions. The course emphasizes the SSCA process for creating realistic paintings and drawings, and teaches classical portrait painting techniques to convey the character of the subject, improving students' understanding of three-dimensional form, and developing an effective painting technique. Read more here.
CAST PAINTING AND DRAWING
In later stages of the curriculum, students replicate plaster casts of statuary to recognize similarly designed shapes in life, and learn to design compositions with impactful focal points and interesting shadow maps. This also prepares them for drawing live models by relying on eye measurements and controlling value range to convey form and depth. Read more here.
ANATOMY FOR THE ARTIST
Our Anatomy for the Artist course provides new methods for comprehending the structures of the human body and aims to enhance students' understanding of skeletal structure, proportions, and planes. Key studies include major joints, muscles, and the skeleton in three projections, instilling a three-dimensional image of each form. Read more here.
DISCLAIMER
No refunds can be made once the student has paid the tuition fees and committed to the course, the student may however use their fees as credit for another course should they pull out before the course begins.