Creating ‘fine art to hold in the hand’ this course is specifically focused on the skills and techniques for miniature landscapes including village scenes, beach scenes and depicting the four seasons. Is there a difference between a miniature and a small painting? During the week the participants will learn the specialized techniques that define the miniature. Each step of the process to paint a miniature will be demonstrated from initial concept sketches for composition to the final, finished painting. Reference material will include pictorial examples of the development process, a library of photos and finished, mounted and framed works. One to one tuition is provided as required. All participants will be given the opportunity to mount their work ready for framing.

All essential materials, detailed advice and supporting notes will be provided. Bring your own paints and brushes if you wish or contact me for further advice.

Day 1 - UNDERSTANDING THE MINIATURE

Using examples we will briefly examine the characteristics we strive to achieve in creating a miniature painting and how this differs from a ‘small painting’. Through an initial introduction to the materials we use and then taking a reference photograph, we will start to develop our first miniature with a demonstration of the primary steps of composition, initial sketches and reduction in size to accepted miniature standards. Deciding what to leave out! Understanding the different brushes we use and what we can do with each one. Each step will be demonstrated and then everyone will be guided though the steps to prepare the ground for starting their first painting, laying out the design and setting the base painting. Handout material will include examples of each step.

Day 2 - DEVELOPING THE PAINTING

A brief summary of the steps we have taken will be followed by a short talk on the history and development of miniature painting and the detailed standards accepted world-wide by the principal Miniature Painting Societies. We will then move on to explore the colours and brushes we use and continue our first simple landscape painting started the previous day ground, laying in the detail.  Deciding which brush to use at each step. Each step will be accompanied by demonstrations and handout material with examples and cautionary notes - about what not to do and avoiding disasters and how to correct mistakes.

Day 3 - BROADENING OUR APPROACH

After completing the first piece of work we examine the range of subjects we can attack in the miniature format and look at how each is best approached for a successful result. Participants have an opportunity to select a subject for their next piece of work from a group of reference material including village scenes and the beach.  Each step will be covered by demonstration and handout reference materials.  Before the end of the day we will take a look at how to present the four seasons in miniature paintings and focusing on snow scenes, considered by many the most difficult to paint, show how some simple rules make snow scenes a delight to produce. We will select a reference example to work on the next day.

Day 4 - WORKING THE SNOW SCENE

Using demonstrations we will work in steps through the development of the selected winter scene starting with the sketch, size reduction and then the painting. One to one guidance will be given as appropriate. In the afternoon we will review our work and critically identify what needs to be done to make each piece stand out as something special.

Day 5 - FINISHING MOUNTING AND FRAMING

A brief summary of what we have done this week and a review of the results achieved will be followed by some details of the processes of finishing the work – to mount or not, how to mount and selecting a frame. Participants then have an opportunity to finish their paintings and set them in mounts.

Materials provided

All artists quality paints, base materials, brushes, palettes, mounts and other essential sundries.

A workstation with daylight lamp and magnifier will be provided.

Additional materials participants should bring along

Cotton buds (normal round & pointed/flat types), kitchen roll, small sketch book (A5) and drawing pencils/eraser. Personal kit currently used.

Miniature painting does require some specialized brushes and although a minimal set is provided, if you require advice about purchasing your own then please contact me in advance.

Website: http://www.tyoungart.co.uk