We are delighted to welcome illustrator and fine artist Peter James Field to the Draw studio for a three-day portrait painting Summer School. Known for his considered and impactful oil portraits, Peter will be leading attendees through his approach to portraiture, with a grisaille underpainting in acrylic followed with glazes of oil paint for colour.

Over three days, Peter will show how these methods established during the Renaissance can unlock intense, emotive colour in contemporary paintings. The course is suitable for people with drawing experience and will involve plenty of one-to-one support from Peter over the three days.

What to Expect

Day One: We will be working from life with a model and props for this first day, gathering resources of our sitter. Alongside sketches and drawings, each attendee will get some one-to-one time with a model for their own mini photoshoot, directing them and making some photographic imagery to develop our paintings. By the end of the day, you will have decided on a sketch you would like to take forward into a painting.

Day Two: Building on our chosen drawing from Day 1, Peter will introduce the grisaille method for our underpaintings, looking at examples and benefits of the approach. You will spend the day developing your own grisaille underpaintings with Peter’s support.

Day Three: We will be exploring how to fully resolve our paintings as Peter introduces the coloured glazing in oil, looking at how we can bring our grisaille underpaintings to life. Students will work on glazing their portraits with feedback from Peter.

There will be presentations and demonstrations throughout the course with Peter on hand for support and advice.

What to Bring
All materials will be provided, including oil paint, solvent, paper, canvas, palettes and palette knives. Easels, padded & backed chairs, drawing boards and small tables are provided for all students. You will need to bring:

Brushes suitable for oil painting

Apron & clothes suitable for painting

Rags & kitchen roll

Smart phone with camera (essential) and tablet device (optional) with a means of securing them to an easel

Getting to the studio
Approach New England House from the New England Street side of the building and walk up to the locked blue double doors next to the sign for the ‘Building Manager’s Office’. Wait to be let in or call the number on the door for entry - the studio is on level 5, Unit 1 South, just knock and walk in. There is parking at London Road car park, Elder Place & Trafalgar St car parks; Brighton station is a 5 minute walk from the studio

Discounts

The discounted rate is available for anybody on low income, students or Draw Patreon supporters. Become a Draw Patreon supporter by signing up to the Draw Patreon from just £3.60 per month. You’ll get the in-person concessionary rate, plus Patreons get tiered access to a wealth of resources including our extensive artist’s photo reference library, live online life drawing & portrait drawing classes, online recorded courses and much more. Whether you are a Patreon supporter or not, you can post your drawings on the Draw community Facebook group and tag @draw_brighton and #drawbrighton on Instagram.

Safety & accessibility
If you have any accessibility needs, please do let us know beforehand on info@draw-brighton.co.uk and we will do everything we can to make sure you can enjoy the classes here. The building has a wheelchair ramp at the North side of the New England Street entrance and lifts up to level 5 with gender-neutral toilets & accessible toilets on floors 4 & 6 accessed by lift.

Oil paints will be used at this session - our air purifier and good ventilation help control fumes. We keep the studio a safe environment by providing:

Monitored ventilation (aiming for <900ppm CO2)

Air purification with HEPA filters

Sick pay for our freelance life models

If you have covid, flu or bad cold symptoms we ask you not to attend - you will receive a refund as well as our appreciation!

Cancellations

Bookings are non-refundable. If you are unwell with a contagious illness you may not attend the class - you can request a refund here on Eventbrite and we can issue a full refund, minus Eventbrite's fees. If you are unable to attend, please do get in touch with us on info@draw-brighton.co.uk to discuss the options for transferring your place to another attendee.

Summer School: Portrait Painting with Peter James Field