ABOUT THIS COURSE

During this four-week workshop, participants will have the opportunity to capture a portrait with hands from a life model (clothed). The hands are such an expressive feature of the human body and can reveal a lot about personality and character.

The first class will be focused on drawing. We will discuss anatomy of the head and hands, and elements of the constructive method will be applied to maintain correct proportions.

We will discuss the significance of composition in conveying a feeling and mood in a painting.

Preparatory colour studies will be done to solve the overall colour relationship.

We will talk about colour mixing and how to produce realistic, natural looking flesh tones. 

Over the following three weeks, we will build up the painting, beginning with large colour masses, gradually developing the form, and progressing to the final stage of the painting, when we will solve details.

Artists of all levels welcome.

Materials needed

Canvas. Suggested size: 40x50cm or 50x60cm

Selection of brushes including at least 2-3 larger bristle brushes (round / flat / filbert) and 3-4 smaller (different shapes). Good to bring a small synthetic pointed round brush (for details).

Oil paint:
Titanium White
, Yellow Ochre, 
Vermillion or Cadmium red light, Burnt Umber, 
Raw Umber, 
Ivory Black 


Cloth or paper towel 


Pair of latex gloves 


Small jar/container with brush cleaner / white spirits 


Linseed oil 


Palette 


Palette knife

Meet Nina

Nina is a Polish painter, living in Ireland, with a particular love for portraiture. Using the traditional technique of oil painting she depicts people in neutral, relaxed poses, often in a larger context - an interior that reflects the character, or landscape - to convey a certain mood or feeling. Each painting attempts to express the emotional landscape of being human through composition and colour. 

She received classical training from Florence Academy of Classical Art and Sergey Chubirko’s “Chiaro-scuro” atelier. Finalist in Sky Art Portrait Artist of the Year Season 9 (2022). 

Exhibitions
2022 193rd RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin, Ireland
2023 "Outside of Now" - Solo exhibition. Signal Arts Centre, Bray, Ireland
2023 'Exploration and Inspiration' - 55th annual exhibition of painting and sculpture by North Louth Artists - invited guest artist. An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk, Ireland
2023 142nd RUA Annual Exhibition, Belfast, Northern Ireland