Kieran Stiles - Weekly classes & tutorials

Weekly life drawing classes A regular, daytime opportunity to learn how to make observation drawings, prints and paintings from the figure in a wide range of traditional and experimental media. Feel free to work individually or try new techniques with practical demonstrations. Overlooking the river and the inspiring setting of Folly Bridge, work in a friendly atmosphere with classical music and real coffee.

Vermeer still life - How to paint folds of cloth in oils Vermeer was inspired by Leonardo’s observations that the surface of every object partakes of the colour of the adjacent object, each object’s colour subtly reflecting in the next. In these sessions learn how to observe this ‘relativity of colour’ and other subtleties of tone balance using oil paint. (card provided)

Degas landscape mono printing Bring in a favourite photograph of a landscape and interpret using the simple
but effective mono-printing techniques pioneered by Edgar Degas.
(you will need to bring A3 cartridge paper)

Morandi still life oil painting The works of Morandi are not just observation pieces they are symbolic, and conceptual. He used the arrangement of objects, and delicate tone balance as a vehicle to suggest specific moods and feelings. In this workshop learn about ‘negative space’ in composition and his delicate ‘monochrome’ use of oils. (card provided)

Rodin layered watercolour with ground graphite Working from direct observation of the figure. Learn how to create delicate harmony, using the process of layering a series watercolour washes, which are all similar in hue, over the top of ground graphite. (You will need to bring medium thickness A3 watercolour paper)

Sculpt the figure in clay From life, a step by step guide to understanding the figure in three dimensions. After making a series of drawn preparatory studies, learn how to start forming a basic shape, to refining, and forming detail. (All materials provided)

Expressive Emile Nolde ink and watercolour landscapes Learn how to blend abstract colour, allowing drips and splashes of ink to fall onto wet washes of watercolour creating vivid and thought provoking effects. Bring in a favourite photo of a landscape as a subject. (you will need to bring medium thickness A3 watercolour paper)

Suspended still life painting An unusual and interesting workshop, looking at the fascinating symbolic still life paintings of the medieval Spanish artist Sanchez Cotan. Learn how to paint in gouache (watercolour mixed with chalk) on ochre card. (All materials provided)

Degas figure mono-printing Learn how to simplify and interpret the highly contrasting tones of a strong, directional light on the figure by using the expressive mono-printing techniques of Degas. Working in coloured printing inks in the second week. (you will need to bring medium thickness A3 cartridge paper)

Turner watercolour seascapes This workshop links with the forthcoming painting weekend in Port Isaac, Cornwall (22nd May 2010, details to follow). In these structured workshops, learn how to carefully superimpose detailed layers of watercolour. Bring in a favourite photo of a seascape as a subject. (you will need to bring medium thickness A3 watercolour paper)

Van Gogh still life impasto oil painting This workshop is associated with the forthcoming Van Gogh exhibition at the Royal Academy (www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/vangogh/exhibition/). In a still life reconstruction of Van Gogh’s Chair painting, learn how to use a limited palate of wet on wet oil colour to create thick ‘impasto’ brush marks.