Dates: June 18-23, 2027
Hours: Museum Day - 11:30 am-5:30 p.m.
Hours: Studio Days - 11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Lunch: 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Course Description

Set in London, England, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to spend focused time studying the craft of painting in one of the world’s great artistic cities. Surrounded by London’s extraordinary museums, collections, and long tradition of painting, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the principles and techniques of realistic oil painting while developing a deeper understanding of their own studio practice using still life as the subject.

The workshop will focus on the fundamentals of painting a still life from life using traditional oil painting techniques. Still life provides an ideal setting in which to study the essential principles of painting,(drawing, design, composition, form, color, edges, light effects) while working directly from observation.

Students will be guided through the process of developing a painting, beginning with their own setup. From there, we will move through drawing and transfer techniques, underpainting, understanding and modeling form, direct and indirect painting methods, color and color theory, edge control, glazing and scumbling, refinement, and final adjustments.

The workshop will emphasize learning a clear and repeatable process rather than simply completing a single painting. Students will learn how to break down the subject into understandable stages, how to identify which problems need to be solved at each stage, and how each decision creates the foundation for the next. Throughout the workshop, instruction will include multiple demonstrations, individual guidance, lectures, a museum visit, and group discussions. In addition to painting technique, we will address materials, lighting, studio organization, and practical working methods that students can continue to use long after the workshop has ended.

The goal is for students to leave London not only with a stronger painting and a greater understanding of traditional technique, but with a practical method of working that they can continue to develop in their own studios.

Workshop Goals

By the end of the workshop, students will have a stronger understanding of how to:
Understand the fundamental principles of realistic painting through the study of still life.
Observe and simplify a subject before beginning to paint.
Develop a strong composition through thoughtful still life setup, lighting, placement, and design.
Establish accurate proportion, placement, and structure through an initial block-in drawing.
Refine and simplify a drawing in preparation for painting.
Transfer a drawing accurately and efficiently to a canvas or other painting surface.
Understand different approaches to underpainting and how they can be used to establish the foundation of a painting.
Recognize the importance of value relationships and use them to create structure, light, and form.
Understand the relationships between hue, value, and chroma and how these three elements work together in color mixing and observation.
Improve the ability to model three-dimensional form through observation and conceptualization.
Understand the differences between direct and indirect painting methods and how they can be combined within a painting.
Build a painting progressively through refined layers rather than attempting to solve everything at once.
Create the illusion of form, depth, texture, atmosphere, and light.
Develop greater control over edges and transitions and understand their role in creating space, focus, and realism.
Understand the properties of opaque, translucent, and transparent paint and how to use techniques such as glazing and scumbling effectively.
Refine a painting selectively, learning where additional information is necessary and where restraint can make the painting stronger.
Better understand painting materials, palette organization, brush handling, and practical studio procedures.
Develop an organized and repeatable studio practice that makes the painting process more efficient and intentional.
Take the principles and working methods learned during the workshop and apply them independently to future paintings.

Dates: June 18-23, 2027 (6 days)

One day at the National Gallery
Lunch at the Chelsea Physic Garden
Five days of Painting in the studio
End of class Group Dinner

Included:

One day of Museum lectures, study, critique & demos
Lunch at the Chelsea Physic Cafe
Five days of Painting in the Studio
Pub Night after class
End of class group dinner
Easels, tabourets, and chairs
Studio space in a historic Artist Studio, Chelsea, UK

Museum Lectures:
Friday, June 18 -
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Lunch::1:30-2:30
Hours: 2:30-6:00 p.m.

Still Life Painting in the Studio.
Saturday, June 19 -Wednesday, June 23  
Hours 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.  
Lunch 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p,.m.

Group Dinner
Tuesday, June 22, 2027
Hour: 7:30 p.m.

Registration

Registration form/Terms and conditions must be completed and agreed to, or signed and emailed, prior to payment.

Pay by Cashier’s Check, Bank Bill Pay, Zelle, Credit Card, or PayPal
We do not accept Personal Checks. We do not accept cash.
Partial Payments are not accepted.
All Funds received are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Tuition does not include travel or accommodations.

This program cannot make recommendations for student accommodations in London and is not responsible for any housing, accommodations, or additional transportation. Tuition does not include travel or accommodations. Each student is responsible for their specific needs. All Funds received are nonrefundable and non-transferable

(BACAA recommends students buy Travel Insurance in case of unforeseen incidents)

COST: $1850.00
(Conversion Rates may vary by day)

BACAA/Tony Curanaj Mater Still Life Workshop, in a Historic Artist Studio, Chelsea, UK-2027