Exploring the Figure: Masterworks (Online Course) Winter 2025 w/ Scott Ramming
February 4 to March 4 (Tuesdays), 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Eastern Time
**All sessions are live and will be recorded, students do not have to be present. All recordings will be available to students for 3 months after the final session, after 3 months the recording will be deleted.
Please check your email spam/junk folder for your Zoom invite.
DEMO: https://youtu.be/-VHkRW06qj8
Course Description
This course will explore the process of working from the figure utilizing masterworks from art history as our models, to gain insight into the language of the masters while remaining true to your own approach. Each day we will explore a different artist such as Ingres, Courbet and Manet. I will give weekly demonstrations using a direct painting method covering techniques for finding more accurate proportions, gain a better understanding of clear color mixing, and cover color value.
Beginners as well as more experienced painters are welcome. There will be dedicated working time and students will receive regular, individualized feedback.
Course Outline
Week 1 -
Topic: Finding proportions.
Exploration of a new masterwork with demonstrations and dedicated working time.
Week 2 -
Topic: Mixing clear neutral secondary colors using a split primary palette.
Exploration of a new masterwork with demonstrations and dedicated working time.
Week 3 -
Topic: Color value and finding the big masses.
Exploration of a new masterwork with demonstrations and dedicated working time.
Week 4 and 5 -
Further exploration of a new masterwork with demonstrations and dedicated working time.
Course Materials
Oil painting is recommended but students can use acrylics if they prefer.
I use a limited split primary palette (a warm and cool of each primary) with a few other colors used when needed.
Basic palette:
Titanium White or Flake White replacement
Hansa Yellow Light (or Cad Lemon)
Cadmium Yellow Light or Medium
Cadmium Red Light
Alizarin Crimson (or Alizarin Permanent)
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue (or Cobalt Blue)
Transparent Earth Red
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Umber
Indian Yellow
I mainly use Gamblin and some Winsor & Newton. Avoid hues of colors (like Cerulean Blue hue) unless cost is a factor.
Palette Knife. Long spade shape preferred, around 2 3/4"
Palette. Glass, wood or disposable. Around 11” x 16”.
Brushes: Long handled bristle for oils. A range of sizes of filberts and flats from #2 to #10 or 12. I tend to use (#2, #6) filbert, #10 (flat). Have at least one large size brush.
Manufacturers go by different numbering systems My #10 flat have a 3/4" width by 1 1/4" length.
Brush cleaning canister with solvent (Gamsol) if using oils, and your preferred painting medium.
Rags or paper towels; disposable gloves if needed.
At least 5 painting surfaces (gessoed board, oil paper, stretched canvas, etc.), around 14” x 11” or larger. Have 2-3 extra surfaces on hand for studies.
Sketchbook and pencils, eraser, ruler.
February 4 to March 4 (Tuesdays), 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Eastern Time
**All sessions are live and will be recorded, students do not have to be present. All recordings will be available to students for 3 months after the final session, after 3 months the recording will be deleted.
Please check your email spam/junk folder for your Zoom invite.
DEMO: https://youtu.be/-VHkRW06qj8
Course Description
This course will explore the process of working from the figure utilizing masterworks from art history as our models, to gain insight into the language of the masters while remaining true to your own approach. Each day we will explore a different artist such as Ingres, Courbet and Manet. I will give weekly demonstrations using a direct painting method covering techniques for finding more accurate proportions, gain a better understanding of clear color mixing, and cover color value.
Beginners as well as more experienced painters are welcome. There will be dedicated working time and students will receive regular, individualized feedback.
Course Outline
Week 1 -
Topic: Finding proportions.
Exploration of a new masterwork with demonstrations and dedicated working time.
Week 2 -
Topic: Mixing clear neutral secondary colors using a split primary palette.
Exploration of a new masterwork with demonstrations and dedicated working time.
Week 3 -
Topic: Color value and finding the big masses.
Exploration of a new masterwork with demonstrations and dedicated working time.
Week 4 and 5 -
Further exploration of a new masterwork with demonstrations and dedicated working time.
Course Materials
Oil painting is recommended but students can use acrylics if they prefer.
I use a limited split primary palette (a warm and cool of each primary) with a few other colors used when needed.
Basic palette:
Titanium White or Flake White replacement
Hansa Yellow Light (or Cad Lemon)
Cadmium Yellow Light or Medium
Cadmium Red Light
Alizarin Crimson (or Alizarin Permanent)
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue (or Cobalt Blue)
Transparent Earth Red
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Umber
Indian Yellow
I mainly use Gamblin and some Winsor & Newton. Avoid hues of colors (like Cerulean Blue hue) unless cost is a factor.
Palette Knife. Long spade shape preferred, around 2 3/4"
Palette. Glass, wood or disposable. Around 11” x 16”.
Brushes: Long handled bristle for oils. A range of sizes of filberts and flats from #2 to #10 or 12. I tend to use (#2, #6) filbert, #10 (flat). Have at least one large size brush.
Manufacturers go by different numbering systems My #10 flat have a 3/4" width by 1 1/4" length.
Brush cleaning canister with solvent (Gamsol) if using oils, and your preferred painting medium.
Rags or paper towels; disposable gloves if needed.
At least 5 painting surfaces (gessoed board, oil paper, stretched canvas, etc.), around 14” x 11” or larger. Have 2-3 extra surfaces on hand for studies.
Sketchbook and pencils, eraser, ruler.
February 4 to March 4 (Tuesdays), 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Eastern Time
**All sessions are live and will be recorded, students do not have to be present. All recordings will be available to students for 3 months after the final session, after 3 months the recording will be deleted.
Please check your email spam/junk folder for your Zoom invite.
DEMO: https://youtu.be/-VHkRW06qj8
Course Description
This course will explore the process of working from the figure utilizing masterworks from art history as our models, to gain insight into the language of the masters while remaining true to your own approach. Each day we will explore a different artist such as Ingres, Courbet and Manet. I will give weekly demonstrations using a direct painting method covering techniques for finding more accurate proportions, gain a better understanding of clear color mixing, and cover color value.
Beginners as well as more experienced painters are welcome. There will be dedicated working time and students will receive regular, individualized feedback.
Course Outline
Week 1 -
Topic: Finding proportions.
Exploration of a new masterwork with demonstrations and dedicated working time.
Week 2 -
Topic: Mixing clear neutral secondary colors using a split primary palette.
Exploration of a new masterwork with demonstrations and dedicated working time.
Week 3 -
Topic: Color value and finding the big masses.
Exploration of a new masterwork with demonstrations and dedicated working time.
Week 4 and 5 -
Further exploration of a new masterwork with demonstrations and dedicated working time.
Course Materials
Oil painting is recommended but students can use acrylics if they prefer.
I use a limited split primary palette (a warm and cool of each primary) with a few other colors used when needed.
Basic palette:
Titanium White or Flake White replacement
Hansa Yellow Light (or Cad Lemon)
Cadmium Yellow Light or Medium
Cadmium Red Light
Alizarin Crimson (or Alizarin Permanent)
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue (or Cobalt Blue)
Transparent Earth Red
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Umber
Indian Yellow
I mainly use Gamblin and some Winsor & Newton. Avoid hues of colors (like Cerulean Blue hue) unless cost is a factor.
Palette Knife. Long spade shape preferred, around 2 3/4"
Palette. Glass, wood or disposable. Around 11” x 16”.
Brushes: Long handled bristle for oils. A range of sizes of filberts and flats from #2 to #10 or 12. I tend to use (#2, #6) filbert, #10 (flat). Have at least one large size brush.
Manufacturers go by different numbering systems My #10 flat have a 3/4" width by 1 1/4" length.
Brush cleaning canister with solvent (Gamsol) if using oils, and your preferred painting medium.
Rags or paper towels; disposable gloves if needed.
At least 5 painting surfaces (gessoed board, oil paper, stretched canvas, etc.), around 14” x 11” or larger. Have 2-3 extra surfaces on hand for studies.
Sketchbook and pencils, eraser, ruler.