Portrait Painting in Oils with Anastasia Pollard

Anastasia Pollard is an acclaimed painter whose work has regularly featured in the BP Portrait Prize and we are very lucky to be able to welcome her back to the Draw Studio for her popular Portrait Painting in Oils weekend workshop. In this two-day course, Anastasia will guide you through an alla-prima painting process, working from a portrait model, using the Zorn palette.

What to Expect

This workshop is suitable for beginners with some drawing experience and more experienced artists looking to learn from a world class tutor. Anastasia will provide demonstrations and individual support throughout the course. You will be working on the same painting over two days, painting from a model. The workshop runs from 10am-5pm with a 1-hour lunch break - you are welcome to bring a packed lunch, or to pop to the nearby Sainsbury’s, or a café on London Road. There will also be extra tea breaks throughout the day.

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. We suggest synthetic or sable 'Filbert' brushes in assorted sizes.
• Apron & clothes suitable for painting
• Rags & kitchen roll
• Canvas, panel or oil painting paper toned light grey. You can use the Ivory Black oil paint to tone the support - this YouTube video HERE will explain how to prepare the surface.

A full materials list will be emailed to you when you enrol. If you have any questions, please contact info@draw-brighton.co.uk

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.

The studio itself has diffuse overhead lights with a spotlight directed at the model. Oil paints will be used at this session with odourless solvent (no turps) throughout the course - 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.