- Session: Dec 9th & 10th (9am – 1pm)
- Instructor: Steve Chmilar
- Experience: All welcome
- Ages: 16+
- Cost: $160
This course is for anyone new to oil painting, portrait painting or both. On the first day, we will focus on rudimentary exercises that simplify the face and head into basic shapes (sections of value). Like the beginner portrait drawing class, the focus will be first understanding how to portray “a” head or face rather than the daunting task of capturing an exact likeness. On the second day, we will use the knowledge from day one to create a basic alla prima (all in one session) portrait painting from a carefully chosen reference selected by the instructor. Students are invited to bring in their own reference photos as well for additional tips.
Steve Chmilar is one of Canada’s foremost New Contemporary painters. Since his debut show at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in 2011, he has painted full-time by selling his work internationally to private collectors. In 2012, he won best in show at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibit (Canada’s largest juried exhibition) and Prix De La Meilleure Oeuvre (Prize for Best Work) Mtl en Arts in Montreal. Please view Steve’s bio in the instructors tab for more information.
Please note: We maintain small class sizes to ensure a personalized and welcoming environment. Each student will have their own table to create on in a large, well lit 900 sq ft studio with lots of natural light studio.
Steve Chmilar is one of Canada’s foremost New Contemporary painters. Since his debut show at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in 2011, he has painted full-time by selling his work internationally to private collectors. In 2012, he won best in show at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibit (Canada’s largest juried exhibition) and Prix De La Meilleure Oeuvre (Prize for Best Work) Mtl en Arts in Montreal. He has been featured on HiFructose,com and John Dalton’s Gently Does it podcast. Recently, he placed as a top finalist out of thousands of international entries in two of the internets largest art competitions: the 2nd annual Jonathan LeVine projects Delusional Art Competition and the Beautiful Bizarre Magazines Art Prize.
Steve’s teaching style is patient and encouraging. “I strive to make a learning environment as relaxed as possible while giving out a lot of information. A light-hearted, low-pressure space that is full of positive energy is the best place to absorb new information and experiment”.
Supplies:
For the first day:
A pad of canvas-paper (any white primed sheets will do) 9”x12” or larger is enough.
If you cannot find canvas paper, more small canvas or primed panels can work. Anything primed with gesso can also work, such as pieces of un-stretched canvas, card board, thin plywood, mdf etc. We will only use a few pieces.
Second day:
A primed painting panel that measures 11”x14”. Other sizes such as 12”x16” or up to 14”x18” can work. Can be wood, canvas or canvas board as long as it is primed white. Note: all painting surfaces from art stores (or dollar stores) that are white are primed. Avoid raw canvas (beige) or raw wood for this course.
Brushes: (same as beginner class)
-Flat or angle flat: small, medium to large or 8 to 20 or 1/4” to 1” (8mm to 24mm)
-Filbert: small to medium, 1 to 4 or 1/4” to 1/2” (8mm to 12mm)
-Round: very small to medium, 0 to 6, most importantly sizes 2 to 4.
Oil Paints:
Bring any and all that you might already have.
If you are purchasing oil paints for the first time, be sure to have:
Titanium white,
Bright Yellow (cadmium, lemon, or equivalent).
Yellow Ochre
Bright Red (cadmium, naphthol, pyrrole or equivalent).
Alizarin Crimson (Magenta is a substitute)
Ultramarine Blue or Prussian Blue.
Any Black
Raw Umber
Burnt Umber
Other supplies:
– Refined Linseed Oil. Any small quantity of any brand will do
– Flat mixing surface or palette of any kind. Could even be a piece of card board with palette paper on top. Flat is ideal, trays and lids are cumbersome for proper mixing.
– Palette Knife: any small trowel shaped knife is ideal
– Rags or cloths. One or two is plenty
Supplied by instructor: reference images, value scales and notes on technical information.
