Representational Painting

Building on the general principles of composition and colour, students explore in depth the nature of representational painting. Based on objective reality or "realism", representational painting is based on observed reality. Typical examples of representational painting are: portraiture, landscape and still life painting. These genres will be explored through studio painting sessions from life, both inside the studio and outside the studio (landscape/cityscape), along with the use of photographic reference. Visual reference of past representational paintings will augment the practical application and learning. Particular to the challenges presented by objective painting, students will learn to create the illusion of three-dimensional form on a two-dimensional surface through manipulation of values, compositional devices, and the use of both linear and aerial perspective.