Oil Painting Portrait Masterclass with Hester Berry

Hester Berry's practice is rooted in traditional representation and methods, but she constantly challenges her understanding of painting and explores ways paint can represent effects such as light, time, movement and climate. She uses marks as economically as possible, distilling the image / feeling / moment into what is necessary, so that through objective representation there is enough room for subjective interpretation.

Having grown up in rural Devon, Hester has always been interested in landscape and the environment. Her traditional university training in Aberystwyth nurtured this interest and also led her to explore life drawing and portraiture. After continuing her studies to complete an MA in Fine Art in Wimbledon, she taught life drawing and painting in Brighton and London. In 2016 she returned to Devon, where she now lives and works.

Each student will have their individual needs met while they work, and all abilities are welcome.

There will be a chance for a lunch break, so please feel free to bring lunch. Alternatively there is plenty of options in Barnstaple town centre.

Please bring the materials you would like to use. For reference, here are some suggestions from Hester:

Oil paints: French ultramarine, burnt sienna, titanium white, a warm yellow (cadmium deep hue, but if not, any yellow), yellow ochre, Prussian/cobalt/pthalo blue, viridian, sap green /terra verte, a red (crimson maybe). Any additional colours would be useful, but these are pretty essential. Windsor and Newton is good and reliable.

Turps/Zest-it, linseed/poppy oil: Zest-it is good – it’s a dilutant and brush cleaner. She suggests poppyseed oil, but linseed is good too.

Palettes: Hester just uses a cupboard door, any scrap of smooth wood, or perspex or glass, or a plate.

Primed boards or canvas: Ampersand smooth primed artists panel is a reliable brand. Size-wise, go with what you are comfortable with but if you're not sure, 9 X 12" up to 18 x 24". Hester likes to prepare boards a few days beforehand with a neutral warm brown ground (burnt sienna and ochre) diluted with a little turps or zest it).

Brushes and palette knives: A range of brushes, including some flat ones. Hester use a 3/4 inch chisel brush.

If you would like to purchase a ticket as a gift for someone else, please contact [email protected]

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