Summer School - Good Artists Copy Great Artist Steal by The River Thames: Oil Painting Cecily Brown

Summer School – Good Artists Copy Great Artist Steal by The River Thames: Oil Painting Cecily Brown

‘Take What You Need’ from Exploring the Gesture Paintings of Cecily Brown

What The Course is About:

On the first day, through demonstration, ideas are presented about Brown’s gesture painting technique , linking it to the 50’s abstract expressionists such as De Kooning, Pollock and Guston focussing how she layers gestures of paint on top of each other. Figures in Woodlands are suggested, lurking within the ambiguous dynamic space and dynamic gestures of paint. You will then choose one or more of her paintings to compare and analyse in relation to the work by Guston, de Kooning and Pollock, aiming to identify her approach and to decide for yourself how much you think knowledge of Abstract expressionist techniques in the 50’s played their part in Brown’s creative process On day 2 and 3 you will work outside by the Thames at Putney to see if the same ideas be used to make exciting en plein air paintings.

Materials Required:

What to bring to the first session: Bring to the first class any drawing and painting materials you possess. Paper and further items can be purchased from the school shop.

Previous Experience:

All Levels,

End of course:

What will I achieve?The aim is ‘to take what you need’ from analysing Brown’s paintings and her influences to see if a better understanding can be an aid to improving the quality of your own paintings when painting on location.