Alla Prima Grisaille Portrait Workshop

Christopher Clements has been a working artist for almost 20 years. He studied Fine Art Painting at Manchester School of art before progressing on to three and a half years intensive study of Classical Realist Drawing & Painting at the Angel Academy in Florence.In 2013 he founded Northern Realist Drawing & Painting in Manchester and teaches at the University of Salford. Christopher designs and teaches all of the studio courses at Northern Realist while continuing his own artwork alongside. He has extensive experience in learning, teaching and working professionally, he has plenty to offer art students whatever your experience or motivation. Drawing and painting is essential to his daily work and this practical experience and constant development is reflected in the courses he teaches.

Christopher Clements

Learn to paint grisaille portrait studies from life while developing your understanding of tonal principles and handling of oil paint.
Reserve your place with a £40 deposit, the £120 remainder will be invoiced separately and is payable a week before the workshop.
 
A Grisaille is a painting executed entirely in shades of grey, therefore they are an ideal transition from drawing to painting. By working with only one colour you can focus on learning to handle paint while applying the tonal principles necessary to represent form convincingly.
Grisaille portraits are very attractive in their own right but can also be used an underpainting for colour work as was often the case in Old Master Paintings.
If you're new to painting this workshop will get you started in a controlled way. If you have more experience with paint you’ll find this method of working will reinforce your understanding of tone and form while giving you a perfect foundation for glazing techniques.
 
Grisaille Portrait Workshop Overview
 
This workshop with Christopher Clements will show you how to paint a grisaille portrait study from life. Tonal principles and paint handling you’ll learn will give your portrait painting a solid foundation. You’ll start by painting a 9 step tonal scale in which can be divided up into value families of shadow, light and halftone. A clear understanding of these distinctions will help you keep your paintings clear and convincing. All the while you’ll learn how to handle oil paint to best effect, keeping you in control of your work.
Following on from the tonal exercises you’ll learn about the gesture and structure of the head, looking at orientation and construction methods as well as compositional principles. Finally you’ll put all this into practice as you work up a finished grisaille portrait study from life.
You’ll be introduced to an approach which helps you concentrate on one concept at a time. This provides you with a framework to greatly increase the efficiency of your work and enable you to pace your painting according to the time you have available.
During the workshop you’ll look at how to handle paint, mediums and brushes to best effect at each stage of the painting.
Bridge the gap between drawing & painting
Develop your understanding of tone & form
Push your ability to paint from life
Learn how to create a strong foundation for colour
Expand your oil painting technique
 
By the end of the workshop you’ll be familiar with how to create a grisaille portrait study from life. You’ll have a better understanding of tonal principles and will have learnt a technique which can be used as a great foundation for colour painting. If you're new to painting the approach will help you bridge the gap between drawing and painting.
 
The class is limited to 7 students meaning you can work towards your own personal goals whether you’re looking to learn fundamental principles or push your skills from a more advanced position. As you’d expect with any Northern Realist course, it’s a chance to spend time concentrating on your work beside like-minded friendly artists - with all the usual tea, biscuits and friendly conversation that goes with it.
See the Northern Realist website for more details
Course Price £160, reserve your place with a £40 deposit, the remainder will be invoiced before the course.
 
FAQs
What Materials Will I need?
Grisaille Painting Materials, email info@northernrealist.com for more information
 
What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?
Train: Manchester Piccadilly Metrolink: New Islington
Parking: Free parking at Hope Mill
 
How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Chris: info@northernrealist.com
 
What's the refund policy?
30 Days prior to the workshop for deposit refunds, remainder payment refunds up to 14 days in advance.
Full refund if the course is cancelled

Northern Realist Drawing & Painting

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Alla Prima Grisaille Portrait Workshop

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Alla Prima Grisaille Portrait Workshop

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