Portrait Block-in Painting (Online Course)
Angela Cunningham
Future Class – sign up for GCA Online News to be Notified on Class Launch Plans
Limit: approx. 10 students
Take this class:
- To apply an understanding of basic GCA block-in methods to painting.
- To translate the skill set from blocking-in in paper to blocking-in directly in paint.
- To learn and/or strengthen your transfer process.
Is this class for me?
- Students must have taken Portrait Block-in Drawing as a pre-requisite before taking this class.
- Students may also apply by submitting other work done at GCA to the Admin. Subject to instructor approval.
Online tech needs:
- The class will be conducted on the Zoom platform and is a live online experience.
- These classes are recorded and made available so students can review demos and critiques after each live session for the entirety of the class.
- This class also uses Google Classroom to distribute materials. Watch this video for more insight.
Both of these services are free but require registration. - It will be necessary for students to have access to a computer, tablet or smartphone. The recommended device is a laptop or desktop.
“Angela is incredibly helpful. She always explains the lesson and answers every question. You can tell she cares about her students with how much time she puts into critiques. By learning to be more accurate with where things actually go, I was able to put the pencil to paper without being afraid to erase and make corrections.” – Brittainy
Course Description
In this eight-week online course students will focus on building foundational skills that translate to drawing a portrait in oil paint. This course is for those who have already taken portrait block-in drawing and want to transition those skills into the realm of painting.
This course utilizes Bargue portrait block-ins, skull drawings, and master copies to demonstrate the technique of creating a block-in in oil paint on canvas. This class will build upon the foundational skills of direct observation taught in the portrait drawing class: comparative measurement, establishing correct gesture, principles of proportion and structure, and constructing a drawing using straight lines. These techniques, initially taught in graphite, must be learned in paint. When making a drawing on canvas, one must learn how to control and manipulate oil paint. Instruction will be provided in toning canvas, transferring a drawing to canvas, pulling out value tones, and directly drawing on canvas with paint with a brush. Examples will be provided for students to copy which will reinforce the information discussed in class.
Each week, sessions will begin with individualized feedback on student work, followed by a combination of lecture and demonstration by the instructor. The final portion of this class will demonstrate how the techniques discussed throughout the class translate to drawing a portrait from life. This will include a discussion of lighting and how to set up the model in your own studio.
This class will equip the student with a newfound ability to organize a clear, straightforward approach to drawing the portrait in oil paint.
Weeks 1 & 2: Bargue Portrait – graphite with oil transfer on toned canvas and pull out lights
Week 3: Bargue Portrait – direct draw with oil paint on canvas
Weeks 4&5: Master copy Portrait- graphite with oil transfer
Week 6 : Skull from life- direct draw with oil paint
Weeks 7 & 8: Self Portrait from life – technique of choice