Course Structure
Foundations of Painting
• Introduction to tools and materials
• Basic mark-making, blending, and palette knife techniques
• Introduction to colour theory
• Observational drawing: simple still life
• In-class exercise: monochromatic/value study
Focus: Learning how to see, control materials, and understand basic painting techniques
Value, Form, and Depth
• Understanding tonal value and contrast
• Creating form through light and shadow
• Proportion and scale
• Positive and negative space
• In-class exercise: short still life painting
Focus: Building depth and realism in your work
Composition & Final Project Planning
• Principles of composition (balance, focal point, visual pathways)
• Introduction to perspective (one-point/two-point basics)
• Capturing gesture and movement
• Experiment with mixed-media
Final project – Create one finished painting that showcases your skills and personal style. You may choose your subject (e.g., still life, abstract, or landscape) and experiment with mixed media if desired.
• Final project development:
o Idea generation
o Thumbnail sketches
o Colour palette planning
o Begin underpainting or base layer
Focus: Composition, Expression, Planning and starting your final artwork
Final Painting & Critique
• Continue and complete final painting
• Individual guidance and support
• Group discussion and feedback
Focus: Finishing your artwork and reflecting on your progress
By the End of This Course, You Will Be Able To:
• Apply key painting principles such as colour, value, contrast, and composition
• Use a variety of media (e.g., graphite, charcoal, oil pastel) to create expressive work
• Observe and represent form, proportion, and space more accurately
• Develop your own creative style and approach
• Reflect on and discuss your work and the work of other