Portrait Painting in Oils: Finding Your Style (6 week course)

** Tickets go on sale on Tues 10th December - please email info@sarareeve.com if you would like to go on the waiting list **

Come and join Sara Reeve for a playful exploration of painting portraits using oil paints, run over 6 Monday evenings!

Six Monday evenings 6.30pm-9.30pm: 24th Feb, 3rd March, 10th March, 17th March, 24th March, 31st March 2025

In this 6-week, fully tutored evening class at the Draw Brighton studio you will have the opportunity to explore a range of playful approaches to painting portraits in oils under the guidance of tutor and artist Sara Reeve. Each week, we will build on your existing knowledge with weekly exercises which allow you to start developing your own style. Places are limited and book up fast, so pre-booking is essential.

What to expect

This course is aimed at students who’ve had some painting experience, including beginners who have attended one of our introductions to painting. Expect a fun, fast paced course packed full of ideas to help you break out of old patterns of working. Taking a new approach each week, we will look at how you can use colour, scale, mark-making, surface and composition to develop your own personal voice. We will be working most weeks from a clothed model but we will also be looking at photo references. If you have any questions just email Sara on info@sarareeve.com

What you need 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

Getting to the studio

The session starts promptly at 6.30pm on Monday 24th February 2025 and you are welcome to arrive from 6.15pm. 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.

The studio itself has diffuse overhead panel lights for drawers with a spotlight directed at the model. Fixative spraying is not allowed in the studio and is done outside; oil paints are allowed in the studio and we will be using them in these sessions - 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 can not attend the class. If you are unable to attend after booking, please do get in touch with us on info@draw-brighton.co.uk to discuss the options for transferring your place to another attendee.