Venue: artsmart Studio, Beaconsfield
Monday: 13.00 – 15.30
Tutor: Meryl Tyers Chhabra
Cost: £300 (10-weeks, Code: 4049)
Please Note: We can only accommodate 8 students on this course
Art Foundation Course
Term 1: (Jan- Mar 2026)
Using illustrations from classical and contemporary art we will cover the following topics during the term.
Drawing, Composition, Form (simplification/shadow shapes) and Values (from dark to lightest/creating 3-dimensional form.) We will use charcoal, toned paper and chalk, later we will introduce colour, preferably with oil paint.
Understanding Materials (supports, medium, solvent.) We will begin by using restricted colours loosely based on the Zorn palette, attributed to the great Swedish artist, Anders Zorn (18 February 1860 – 22 August 1920) who used a very limited range of colours to achieve astonishing works.
The term will end with a simple still life. We will produce a tonal underpainting/grisaille one week and then finish with colour the following.
Term 2: (Apr – Jun 2026)
Begin with still life revising the above. We will then move on to take a classical and contemporary look at portraiture. You will learn how to produce a classic figurative portrait and explore different materials and approaches featuring the human figure, including narrative. We will finish the term looking at interiors and landscape.
Suggested Materials:
Willow charcoal, toned paper (grey sugar paper or brown packing paper fine) & white Conte stick.
Oil paints: Yellow Ochre, Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Red, Titanium White, Raw Umber.
Zest it/Sansodor or other low odour solvent. Metal dipper. Medium, there are many but Linseed oil good. A palette, solid or tear off.
A few brushes from large to small, square/flat to Filbert (arrow shaped), suitable for oils or acrylics. A3 pad of paper for acrylic or oil painting. If choosing acrylics instead of oil paint, use the same colours but no metal dipper or solvent is required however a ‘Flow Medium’ will be helpful. As you grow in confidence you may want to invest in canvas boards or canvases. Materials do not have to be bought all at once and will be discussed in the class, there are many options to suit all budgets. Better to buy good quality paints but small amounts rather than cheap with poor pigments.
