DRAWING & COMPOSITION

Continue to develop drawing and composition foundations.  

In addition to working from a range of still life subjects, this class will give attention to developing compositions of interiors--the perfect subject matter with which to explore atmosphere!  The class will also expand on drawing techniques and materials to include  black and white conté on grey paper and warm and cool drawing media.

Group demonstrations and individual instruction. 

All levels.

This class is for beginners, experienced painters, and everyone in between.

• black conté or willow charcoal
• kneadable eraser
• 18” x 24” pad of manila or newsprint paper
• 2-3 sheets of toned/grey colour drawing or pastel paper—this can be bought as single sheets or in pads no smaller than 12” x 16”. An example of this paper is “Ingres Paper” made by Canson, Strathmore or Fabriano. 
• white conte (For use on toned paper.)
• Charcoal pencils or sticks, black, white., grey, sienna, umber Recommended brands: Stabilo or Faber & Castell. (On the first class, I will discuss drawing materials and show you the kinds of materials I would recommend.)

The beauty of nature abounds, but how is this translated into a work of art? Composing a compelling view is the essence of the landscape form! 

Work through devices and strategies used by artists in the classic and modern landscape traditions, applying these to outdoor sketching. The stunning setting of Cootes Paradise and nearby RBG trails will provide the inspiration! 

For individuals looking for an all-day experience, this class can be paired with Colour in the Landscape. 

All levels. Class demonstrations and individual instruction.

Beginners and those with experience.  All levels.

Sketchbook or drawing paper, min. size 9" x 12"

Drawing materials:  graphite, charcoal pencils and erasers

Drawing board (for loose sheets) and clips

Camp/portable chair or stool

Sketching umbrella (optional)

What colours do we see in the landscape? What palette of colours shows a place, a season, a time of day?

Bring a favorite colour medium for sketching—pastel, watercolour, charcoal pencil, oil—and create a series of colour studies of observed views. The stunning setting of Princess Point and nearby RBG trails will provide the inspiration! 

For individuals looking for an all-day experience, this class can be paired with Find the View.

All levels. Class demonstrations and individual instruction.

Beginners and All Levels.  

Your favorite material for sketching in colour.

 Watercolour is ideal for exploring the colour, shape and evocative nature of clothing!

Clothing--everyday, historical, theatrical--is a wonderful subject matter for the artist.

This class gives focus to developing engaging compositions in watercolour, colour palette awareness, transparent layering and light and dark.

Class demonstrations and individual instruction.

All levels.    

Students at the beginning stages of their development in watercolour.

Students with previous experience who enjoy new subjects and compositions.

Artists who work in other media (like oil and acrylic).  Watercolour is the best lesson in restraint and optimizing transparency--many artists use watercolour to invigorate their other painting practices!

Paper

quality watercolour paper.  Start with cold pressed.

Preferred brands:

• Arches*
• Saunders-Waterford

*It appears that Arches' watercolour paper on a pad is not the same as Arches' watercolour paper on a block.  The watercolour paper on a block is better and will be more enjoyable to work with.

Brushes

one or two good quality sable, synthetic or sable/synthetic combination brushes.

The following sizes are recommended:

• 1 x size #6 or #8 round brush with a good point
• 1 x size #12 or 14 round brush with a good point
• 1 x 1” or larger flat brush, ie hake (optional)

Paint Colours

good quality transparent tube or cake watercolours.  Recommended colours: 

• cadmium yellow pale (hue)
• yellow ochre
• cadmium red pale (hue)
• alizarin crimson
• ultramarine blue (not green shade)
• cerulean blue
• viridian green
• burnt sienna
• burnt umber

Cotman watercolour brand is a reasonable quality paint at a lower price.  Better quality paints cost more because they have more pigment.  Winsor & Newton professional watercolours are a reliable quality brand.  Schmincke watercolours are a personal favourite.

Other Items

• palette with a lid and large mixing area
• water container (large yogurt containers are great)
• paper towel (mechanic's blue paper towels are great)
• scrap watercolour paper for testing colours
• sketchbook and pencil for preparatory compositional sketches

Develop your figure drawing into composed works.

Longer poses are an opportunity to develop engaging figurative compositions.  In addition to reviewing core figure drawing approaches, this class gives attention to compositional structures and devices, drawing technique, and creating the effect of light and shadow.

For students with previous figure drawing experience. (E.g. Figure Drawing part 1 and/or part 2)

For artists and illustrators interested in a fresh perspective to this favourite drawing practice and who would like suggestions for strengthening their figurative compositions.

• black conte or willow charcoal
• kneadable eraser
• 18” x 24” pad of manila or newsprint paper
• Optional: 2-3 sheets of toned/grey colour drawing or pastel paper—this can be bought as single sheets or in pads no smaller than 12” x 16”. An example of this paper is “Ingres Paper” made by Canson, Strathmore or Fabriano.  Optional, but highly recommended when drawing from longer poses.
• Optional: white conte (For use on toned paper.)
• Optional: Charcoal pencils, black and white.  (For use on toned paper.) Recommended brands: Stabilo or Faber & Castell.

Create, develop, experiment. 

Be part of a drawing community and develop your artistic direction with uninstructed time in the studio with the live model.

Figure Drawing Studio in Winter 2025 will focus on long poses--4 sessions in length--and is suitable for drawing, painting and sketching the same pose from multiple views. 

8-day option (drop in for any 8 sessions) $190

12-day option (drop-in for any 12 of the 16 sessions) $280

16-day option (draw twice a week!) $350

Poses will be set by Hamilton Studio School. 

Requests and suggestions are welcome; direct these to Hamilton Studio School.

Your choice!

May is for oil painting! 

Oil paint is a rich and versatile medium, especially suited for representational painting. This class will introduce materials, handling with the brush, simple colour theory and mixing, and ways of adapting traditions and techniques to the works created in class. 

Still life will be the subject focus. 

All levels. Class demonstrations and individual instruction.  Previous drawing experience is recommended.

TBA