This course will lead you step-by-step through the essential methods of painting in the versatile medium of acrylic paint, introducing you to the skills needed to respond accurately and creatively to the world around you, as you work from life and with reference to the techniques of the masters.

Lessons cover methods to help you represent a variety of objects in correct and consistent proportion and to model convincing three-dimensional illusion. You will learn how to prepare a ground, mix a range of tones and apply them in painting a tonal still life, with lessons on colour theory and tips on the accurate and expressive use of colour. You will experiment with different approaches to composition and explore the expressive quality of mark-making, with reference to optical effects and the techniques of traditional and modern masters.

This foundational course will equip the complete beginner, further the skills of the continuing painter, and build your confidence as a painter in a supportive and creative environment.

Course Outline:

Week 1: Objective sketching techniques. Learn a range of measuring methods to help you compose a composition accurately and in the correct proportion.
Week 2: Mix an astonishing range of tones as we make 27 shades of grey in warm, cool and neutral tones.
Week 3: Apply this tonal palette and the measuring techniques from week 1 in painting a still life.
Week 4: Linear perspective. Unlock the magic of vanishing points to draw and paint convincing architectural forms.
Week 5: Light and Shadow. Discover two kinds of light and shadow and the blending skills necessary to paint a sphere.
Week 6: Colour mixing. Use warm and cool primaries to mix strong secondary colours and mix opposites to make subtle tertiaries.
Week 7: Using bold colours. Apply a full colour palette in transcribing a bold work of a modern or contemporary master.
Week 8: Using subtle colours. Apply a full colour palette in transcribing a work of a modern or contemporary master that uses more subtle colours.

Learning Outcomes:

This course introduces students to the versatile qualities of acrylic paints and their application, delivering the following learning outcomes:

• Knowledge of the materials needed to paint in acrylic, their use and care.
• Measuring strategies to structure composition in correct and consistent proportion
• How to prepare a tonal ground for painting
• How to mix a range of tones.
• How to apply these in a tonal still life
• How to accurately represent the shape of objects.
• How to use brush strokes to represent form.
• How to apply the principles of linear perspective.
• How to render the effect of light and shadow to enhance 3-D form
• How to blend tones.

• How to mix secondary and tertiary colours.
• How to use bold colours with nous.

What to bring:

• A4 visual diary
• HB – 4B pencils
• Please bring drawing paper and pencils to the first class.

Note: An art materials handout will be given in the first class.

Art Supplies Discount:

As a bonus for learning Art with SGSCC, all enrolled students are entitled to a generous 10% discount off the purchase of art supplies when they shop in-store at Eckersley’s Art & Craft, Taren Point!
View Eckersley's Website for product ideas.

About the Tutor:

'Kevin McKay is a practicing artist who holds a Master’s Degree in Fine Art from the National Art School and exhibits at May Space Gallery, Sydney. His many accolades include The Basil & Muriel Hooper Scholarship from the AGNSW, 2006; the William Fletcher Foundation’s Scholarship to The British School at Rome, 2011; the Kogarah Emerging Artist Prize, 2012; the Waverley Oil Painting Prize, 2013; the Allan Gamble Memorial Prize, 2015; the People’s Choice Award, Waverley Art Prize, 2016, and Bayside Art Award, 2018. Mr McKay has been a tutor with SGSCC for over 7 years, with experience teaching art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney Grammar School, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, and the National Art School and says: “I enjoy sharing my passion for art with others.”'
www.kevinmckayart.com

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.