Expressive Figure Painting

Expressive Figure Painting with Clare Purser focuses on capturing an expressive interpretation of the figure in the studio. Over the semester, we will have a model in the studio for five sessions. Following these sessions, we will spend 3-4 weeks developing ideas and paintings from these encounters. The course covers topics such as painting with a limited palette, capturing values and shadows with paint, and mixing skin tones. Through a variety of exercises, we will take an expressive and loose approach, painting from the model as well as creating self-portraits. We will experiment with collage and mixed media, including pastels on coloured grounds, layering acrylic and ink, and using watercolour, gouache, or acrylic inks with dry media. We will draw inspiration from contemporary figurative painters such as Karen Black, Frank Auerbach, Robert Malherbe, and Tracey Emin.