IGMA | Education

24 Hour Class

Instructor:
Jeff Wilkerson, Fellow

Course:
Heat Set Oil Painting

Project: Ophelia by John Everett Millais, 1852

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Course Description:
Ophelia may have been mad, depressed, aggrieved, or maybe only clumsy in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, but few of his characters have elicited as much sympathy and feeling as she. Millais’ portrayal of her in his pre-Raphaelite masterpiece shows attention to such detail as the choice of flowers drifting away from her dead hands, to the language of her pose, and even the careful choice of the setting. While wishing to maintain the atmosphere, spirit, and look of the original, the instructor has opted to simplify much of the detail to make this project do-able for students with a little less experience with oil painting. That being said, there is still much detail remaining in the class piece to challenge all students.

Students will start with not just a pre-sketched primed panel to paint on, but also a pre-toned panel. This will be a rudimentary gray image of the basic forms in the painting which will establish the light to dark values of the composition. This will bypass the traditional “values” under-painting that would otherwise use up much of the class time, allowing students a better chance to finish their project. Students will receive the prepared project panel and photo reference, (others will be available for practice or other use outside of class), plus all basic tools, paints, mediums, and other items needed to complete their project. Printed documentation regarding materials sources, painting basics, and other information pertinent to this class project are included. A wide variety of advanced techniques will be taught and many traditional oil painting techniques will be adapted to the use of this instant dry heat-set oil paint. This class will include some lecture time and demonstrations of tools, techniques and materials.

Time: 24 hours. Completion is likely.

Power Tools: high temperature heat gun

Skill Level: Intermediate and advanced. Students should have a working familiarity with oil painting and have some experience with simple color mixing and other basic painting skills. Beginners may also enjoy the challenge of this class if they have some basic color theory and some experience with painting with small brushes.

Materials Fee:$65. Heat guns will be shared by the class and may be purchased at the end of the week at the instructor’s discretion. This project is designed to fit John Hodgson’s gilded frames. (Not included)