PAINTING THE NUDE FROM LIFE | NICHOLAS ROBINSON
Day & Time: Mondays, 10am - 1pm
Format: In-studio
Location: Enniskerry
Skill Level: All levels welcome
Please note: In this course there will be a nude model that will be posed to suit both figure and portrait painters. Participants can then choose which one they would prefer to focus on for the duration of the course.
Please see detailed class information below
If this course is fully booked or not currently scheduled, go ahead add your name to the waiting list HERE.
Payment plans available contact us directly
aBOUT THE CLASS
"There is nothing in all the world more beautiful or significant of the laws of the universe than the nude human body." - Robert Henri
Painting the nude has been a staple exercise in learning the language of oil painting for 100's of years. This workshop will break down the process of describing the form and effect of light on the figure into simple step-by-step principles. We will paint from the model in one pose for the duration of the course, taking shorter breaks allowing for more painting time. Additionally, this course instruction will include use of materials, simple colour theory, mixing and handling of oil paint and basic anatomy.
Nicholas Robinson is an NCAD & Florence Academy of Art graduate.
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Study one of the oldest traditions in art — painting the nude figure in oils, as practiced for centuries.
Learn to break down the complexity of the human form into clear, step-by-step principles.
Paint from a live model in a single pose, allowing for deeper observation and more painting time.
Understand how light interacts with the body to create form, volume, and atmosphere.
Develop technical skills, including:
Basic anatomy for artists
Colour mixing and simplified colour theory
Handling and application of oil paint
Choosing and using appropriate materials
Build confidence in representing the figure, with focused instruction and supportive feedback.
Ideal for artists with some experience, looking to strengthen foundational figure painting skills.
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As above
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The basic materials list is:
• a canvas primed with jesso. Please make sure you prime your canvas in advance! Even store bought pre-primed canvases will need to be removed from packaging and another application or two of jesso. Any questions please get in touch.
(Suggested size for figure painting 60x40cm approx.)
• Brushes – recommended below.
• Palette
• Palette knife
• Black/ raw umber /red /ochre /white oils
• A preferred medium - (I would use linseed oil)
** please note, no solvent allowed in studio – sansodor ok but not necessary.
The detailed materials list is:
• brown baking paper (for storing oil paint)
• Bar of ordinary household soap (for cleaning brushes). Nick will teach students how to clean brushes with veg oil that he will provide. No solvents needed.
• small palette cup & empty jam jar.
Oil-paints.Michael Harding/ Old Holland recommended
1. Raw Umber
2. Titanium White
3. Yellow ochre
4. Cadmium red (cad hue not an alternative)
5. Ivory black
Brushes:
A range of about 10+ flat and filbert brushes in different sizes. From Evans art shop I suggest:
• Winton Flats 1 to 4
• Winton Filberts 1 to 8
• Winton Short Flat Brights 2 to 8
• Richard Oliver Flat Hogs 0 to 4• Richard Oliver Hog Filberts 1 to 6 Also the Mr. Price Royal & Langnickel brushes are fine.
Get 2 packets of those and you’re away in a hack.
• small hand mirror - not essential
“Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.”
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