COPYING THE MASTERS | NICHOLAS ROBINSON

Day & Time: Wednesdays, 10am - 1pm
Format: In-studio
Location: Enniskerry
Skill Level: All levels welcome

BOOKING INFORMATION

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

42 hours fully supervised instruction through group demonstration and individual critique.
Plus a guided tour of the Master paintings at the National Gallery of Ireland (NGI) by Mags Harnett
This course is part of the Schoolhouse Academy and is fully accredited by CPD Standards with 24 CPD points

Copying master paintings is a time-tested way to both learn the principles, techniques and methods of the great painters of the past and also to develop a greater appreciation for these great artworks. We in Ireland we are incredibly lucky to have an exemplary collection of Old Master paintings in our national collection at the NGI. Paintings in the collection by artists such as Ribera, Velázquez, Meissonier, Caravaggio, Vermeer, Tiziano, Metsu, Raeburn, Lefebvre, etc. constitute a fantastic resource for the painting student who wants to improve their painting and drawing. 

During this class, students work three hours daily from a high quality digital reproduction of a single portrait or figure of one of the artworks by the artists listed above. The course will be divided into 3 parts: drawing in charcoal of the chosen master copy which will then be transferred to canvas or panel. Then the painting starts beginning with the imprimatura, colour mixing, organising of the palette and the painting itself. The purpose is to reproduce the finished painting as faithfully as possible to understand the principles involved in its creation deeply.

Beginning, intermediate, advanced levels welcome

• What Will I Learn On This Course

  • Master classical techniques by copying an Old Master painting, a proven method for developing painting and drawing skills.

  • Work step-by-step through the full traditional painting process:

    • Charcoal drawing of your chosen artwork

    • Transferring the drawing to canvas or panel

    • Imprimatura (underpainting)

    • Colour mixing and palette organisation

    • Final oil painting execution

  • Receive 24 hours of fully supervised instruction, including group demonstrations and one-on-one critiques.

  • Study a high-quality digital reproduction of a portrait or figure by a renowned Old Master (e.g. Caravaggio, Vermeer, Velázquez, Titian, Metsu, and more).

  • Gain insight into art history and technique during a guided tour of the National Gallery of Ireland's Master paintings, led by Mags Harnett.

  • Earn 24 CPD points as part of this accredited Schoolhouse Academy course.

  • All skill levels welcome – beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

• Course Structure

  See above

• Materials Needed

  Materials provided:

  Primed imprimatura birch wood panel cut to size
  Professional grade Old Holland oil paints
  Canson paper
  Plumb lines
  Transfer paper  

  BASIC MATERIALS to bring:

  ALL YOU WILL NEED TO BRING ON WEEK 1 & 2 WILL BE:

  • Willow Charcoal

  • Faber Castell kneadable eraser

  YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING THEREAFTER:
  (details will be discussed during week 1)

  • Brushes (A range of about 10+ flat and filbert brushes in different sizes.)

  • Wooden palette

  • Palette knife

  • Sansodor

  • Masking tape

  • A preferred medium (Linseed oil for example)

“10/10 Enjoyed the overall experience (with Nicholas Robinson). Clear instructions to master the technique.”

— Attending Artist