Limited Palette Painting Technique in the Classical Method plus Art History

Limited Palette Painting Technique in the Classical Method plus Art History The final aim in this 4 Week Classical Method Course will be to acquire the classical academic method of painting used by the old Masters and to create with the Limited Palette (black, red, yellow and white) a whole human figure. 

At the basis of this course, there are the painting methods that are established as both academic and classical. These methods of painting from the model were born from the ancients, rediscovered in the renaissance and institutionalized in the French academic scene of the 19th century becoming one of the most influential classical painting courses in the history of art education. This workshop offers students an introduction to the fundamental foundations of academic painting using its main tools while also providing a basic understanding of the history of figurative art. Moreover, you will learn to select and prepare materials for painting, measurements and proportions, the artistic effect of chiaroscuro and improve observation skills and paint realistically.   

Our Program is divided into sessions, each session twice a week is the length of three hours, developing the same painting over 4 weeks (8 sessions). Students will also be shown examples of methods used by the old masters each lesson, and will be encouraged to research, and provide examples of figurative art they connect with. There will be a final group critique.

About the instructor Eric Drummond

After studying Art History at the University of Guelph, Eric was accepted and enrolled at The Florence Academy of Art in 2016. There he was taught to draw and paint the figure from life and compose portraits and still lifes, using the traditional methods and practices developed by the old masters. Eric works only from life. Staying true to the sight size method developed by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France in the 1800s, he largely crafts his own materials, and hand preps his own canvases. Working from life allows Eric total creative control and interpretation of his subjects. 

Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00-9:00pm (LENGTH 3 hours, twice a week)

April 22, 23, 29, 30, May 6, 7, 13 and 14, 2025

Instructor: Eric Drummond

Location: Cocker Fulton Studio

$360 + materials

Maximum of 12 students

Limited Palette Painting + Art History First introductory and explanation; this session helps to coordinate with the teacher about the appropriate materials, supports and equipment for the exercise. The instructor will explain the goal of the workshop: to have a structured Figure painting done in the classical method.

LESSON ONE Painting: Instructor will demonstrate the stretching of canvas and application of paint ground. Once canvases are set, students will begin quick charcoal sketches of the composition to understand the values in black and white. History lesson begins with an intro to the ancient Greeks and art philosophy.

LESSON TWO Painting: Students will block in the figure using raw umber and straight lines. Image will remain simplistic, just laying in the basic shape and division of light and dark. Students will simultaneously learn the proper set up of the Palette and mixing values. From the ancient Greeks, we will discuss Medieval art in essence and move into early Renaissance work and its influence.

LESSON THREE Painting: Students will begin mixing values and balancing chroma using 4-6 values. You will apply shapes in accordance with the plains of the body and contrast of light and dark. Shadow values will be lightly applied. History will be about the Middle Renaissance and the literature that influenced the thinking of the time.

LESSON FOUR Painting: Features will be more described. Background value will be applied to help the student correctly draw the contours of the figure and understand space. History will consist of the High Renaissance, specifically focusing on the works of Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael.

LESSON FIVE Painting: Creating tighter transitions between the shadow edges and halftones will be taught, using different types of brushes. The figure will become more full and formy. History lesson will discuss the mannerists and their branch to Michelangelo.

LESSON SIX Painting: The keys will be established now that enough paint has been applied. Students can apply lightest light and darkest dark and begin to bridge values in-between. Temperature and chroma balance will be discussed as well to create harmony. Baroque art will be discussed in the history lesson and its harmony with music.

LESSON SEVEN Painting: Textural elements will be discussed, like hair, and the rendering of flesh. Light refraction will be explored as multiple colors can be used in highlights to create temperature variety. History will discuss the French academics and school structures for painters.

LESSON EIGHT Painting: Students will carefully observe and model form, push depth of field and be encouraged to take artistic liberties with their work. Like in drawing, harmony, form, spirit and paint language should be explored. History will conclude with the Neoclassical painters, and their connection to the Ancients and Renaissance, culminating in the cyclical nature of styles, mentalities and human nature.

Materials (Painting): 

• Prepared Wooden Palette. Palettes must be prepped AT LEAST a week before with a coat of linseed oil each day in order for the palette to be cleaned properly after each use.

•  Painters linseed oil (Bijan's)

•  Oil paint pigments: Raw Umber, Ivory Black, Titanium White (Preferably from Michael Harding or Old Holland), Yellow Ochre, Vermillion, English Red

•  Palette knife(Bijan's)

•  Turpentine (Bijan's)

•  Oil cups (Bijan's)

•  50x90 Gesso primed Linen (order online)

•  Roll of Paper towel 

• Staple gun

• Stretcher pliers for canvas

• Stretcher bars 50x90cm

  
  

Fine Brushes: 

• Brushes must be Oil paint standard. Rosemary and Co have a great selection and are now available at Bijan's. Da Vinci Grigio synthetic brushes are excellent too. 

• Rosemary series 33 Size 4 (Round, order online)

• Rosemary series 33 size 5 (Round, order online)

  
  

Hog Hair Brushes: Tintoretto brand or Da Vinci brand brushes are wonderful. Must be also ordered online.

• Size 5 Sable

• Size 6 (Flat and Filbert each)

• Size 8(Flat and Filbert each)

• Size 12 Filbert

• Size 14 Filbert

  
  

If brushes cannot arrive in time, Bijan's has a variety too. Ask for hog hair brushes.