Summer School: Still Life Oil Painting with Laura Smith

Join us for this a new three-day Summer School painting still life in oils with award winning artist Laura Smith.  

Laura Smith is a painter who loves every aspect of still life, from composing an arrangement to getting stuck into paint mixing. With demonstrations of her working methods and plenty of hands-on practice, you will be introduced to Laura’s still life-painting process whilst being encouraged to explore your own painting style. The course is designed for all levels of experience, with plenty of time for one to one support over the three days.

Click HERE to watch our Etc. Artist Talk where Draw Head Tutor Jake Spicer talks to Laura Smith about her painting and the progression of her career as an artist.

What to Expect

Day One: On the first day, Laura will guide you through making a complete still life painting, setting up your own still life composition with guidance and support. We will work from these set-ups, using oil paint to explore how we can elevate the ordinary things around us and imbue them with significance. There will be demonstrations of Laura’s work and approach throughout the day.

Day Two: We will work on another still life over the course of the second and third days, using what we’ve learnt in day one to create a new still life composition. We will look at how we can best use oil paint to explore our still life paintings.

Day Three: We will be continuing to work on our paintings with lots of individual support and guidance from Laura. There will be a critique at the end of the day where we will reflect on what we’ve learnt and look at the work created.

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
• You will be able to create your own set-up from materials provided but are encouraged to bring in your own meaningful objects, or items that you think might make for an engaging still life painting.

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.