Oil Painting | Portraits and Anatomy with Michael Simms

Develop your oil painting skills with a focus on portraiture and anatomy. Following a step-by-step approach, students will begin with basic parts of the anatomy including facial features, and individual body parts. Through this, students will develop the skills required to successfully capture the human form with oil paints – while also exploring their own artistic instincts. In this course, students will complete a series of painted studies exploring tone and colour theory, then progress to individual body parts and facial features, as well as one major work.

Your tutor Michael Simms is a multi-award winning artist based in Sydney whose work is characterised by dream-like depictions of the human figure. His classes will consist of painting demonstrations, talks and individual feedback. Students will paint from a combination of master copies and photographic reference. Michael was a finalist in the 2023 Archibald Prize with his portrait of Zaachariaha Fielding.

What to expect

Suitable for all skill levels, the course provides a fun and relaxed environment to explore the following:
• Understanding the essentials of tone and colour theory.
• Painting techniques, ranging from ‘alla-prima’ to building up layers, glazing and scumbling.
• How to lay a strong foundation for a painting.
• Basic anatomy.
• Mixing dynamic flesh tones with ease.
• Painting clothing.
• Lighting, atmosphere, expression and how to build confidence in your creative instincts.

What you will achieve

Students will complete a series of painted studies of individual body parts and facial features, as well as one major work over the course.

Casual Attendance

Casual attendance is also possible in this class with limited places available. Students will need to bring their own materials. While full term enrolment is encouraged, students are welcome to attend week by week to learn different elements of painting portraits and anatomy. To enrol in casual sessions please click here.

Is this course right for me?

This course is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced students who wish to develop their portrait and anatomy painting skills.  If you have painted with acrylics and are keen to try oils, then you will learn how to paint in oils through this course. 

Material List

• 1 bottle of odourless solvent (Gamsol preferred).
• 1 bottle of linseed oil.
• At least 2 empty jars.
• A palette knife
• Willow charcoal and kneadable eraser
• Rags and a roll of paper towel
• Palette
• at least 2 large bull-dog clips
• Brushes: flat brushes, sizes 4, 10, 20 or similar.
• Students will need several canvases to work on throughout the term. Fredrix Canvas pads are ideal for quality painting sketches that we will do in the first few weeks (at least 305mm x 407mm), or unstretched canvas stuck to cardboard/wooden backing is also fine.
• One stretched canvas for a larger work (420 x 600mm ideal).
• Oil painting colours: titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre, cadmium red, ivory black. (Additional options include Ultramarine Blue and Alizarin Crimson).

Note: We recommend buying 'artist quality' paints (Art Spectrum oils are a good, reasonably priced brand) or brands that have a 'student quality' (Winsor & Newton).

About studio classes

Our class sizes are small, ensuring you receive the individual tuition you need. We have a maximum of 12 students per class.

Unless otherwise noted, prices *exclude* art materials. Click here to see a list of local art supply retailers.

To learn about our studios, amenites and how to get there, click here.

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