Paul Taggart
Author of fourteen books on painting in all media
Featuring Paul Taggart's unique step-by-step artstrips©
Hands-on tutoring for techniques in all media
Featuring Paul Taggart's unique step-by-step demonstrations
Hands-on tutoring for colour mixing in all media
Featuring Paul Taggart's unique step-by-step system
Hands-on tutoring for
- Making the most of materials & equipment
- Starting off made easy
- Composition made easy
- Perspective made easy
- Figures made easy
There is nothing to beat painting out of doors to experience the colours and light effects unique to this region of the Highlands of Scotland and all sessions therefore take place out and about - in event of inclement weather we retreat to appropriate venues.
I have been asked if these breaks and weeks are purely for those who are already skilled in painting. The answer is no. Because of the nature of the sessions, all levels will find the days of value.
These are work-along sessions based on a series of short demonstrations
by myself throughout the day. No matter what problem or question is asked
during the day by one person, I can guarantee that the others will also
be pleased to have that problem solved or question answered.
Whether you are fairly new to painting, have been doing so for a while, wish to have your problems solved, or looking to refresh some of your techniques, these sessions are ideal.
As there are a limited number of people in each break or week, each person gets individual help. Whilst the emphasis is on getting as much into the day as possible on the work front, the atmosphere is friendly and enjoyable.
Without fully understanding how to best exploit painting materials and tools, frustration soon sets in and sadly, many drop out of painting because they are left floundering. Even the simple act of how to hold a brush can become an obstacle and I place much emphasis on how to overcome any potential problems such as this.
“My particular approach to tutoring has been developed to help everyone, whatever the circumstances or level of an individual painter’s development. A particular feature of each day being my detailed, fully narrated, step-by-step demonstrations. These demonstrations deal practically with any queries that arise as those working in the group get to grips with their own exercises and painting during the day. This approach allows everyone the opportunity to solve their own particular problem and discover new techniques that have always interested them.
A stress-free way of starting off a painting is always a particular favourite, as is colour mixing, both of which are fundamental to everyone’s enjoyment of painting. We will tackle matters such as light & shade, textures and effects, as well as techniques unique to the medium in which we are working, plus problem solving – all based on the needs of the group – for it is the needs of the group that dictates the way in which each painting day develops.”
MAKING-IT-SIMPLE : COLOUR MIXING
One of the major problems faced by painters is the art of colour mixing and yet it need not be the daunting problem so many experience – creating totally unnecessary stress.
Some painters will have muddled along for as long as possible, adding
a bit of this colour to a bit of that. Others may have bought colours
in pre-mixed form, adding more and more tubes or pans to their ever-growing
collection of individual colours. This approach has its problems, because,
ultimately, it is very limiting.
The solution is simple
I will help you learn
how to mix most of the colours you will require on a day-to-day
basis from a basic palette of six colours (plus white in oils and
acrylics).
ACRYLIC PAINTING
Acrylic paints have much to offer, yet to use them successfully you need to understand their strengths and indeed, their weaknesses.
Used fluidly they have many of the properties and possibilities inherent in watercolours, with the added advantage that they can be used opaquely.
Alternatively Acrylics can be exploited as diversely as oil paints and I will show how to work from dark to light using a variety of oil painting techniques.
In addition, acrylic paints offer versatile opportunities when combined with pastels.
Hence the inclusion of this medium for use in its own right or in conjunction with the others.
WATERCOLOUR PAINTING
Within watercolour painting there are three principle techniques – Line & Wash, Wet on Dry and Wet on Wet.
Whilst each technique offers a welter of opportunities in its own right, the joy of developing watercolour painting is to maximise their individual benefits and combine them in various ways, to achieve the best possible effect for the subject of any one painting.
I will guide you to better understand and exploit these techniques
OIL PAINTING
Within oil painting there are a number of possibilities that centre on the paint being applied Fluidly : in Layers : Impasto : Alla Prima or as Glazes
Whilst these possibilities offer a wide diversity of effects, to fully exploit the richness in this exciting medium they are best utilised in various combinations. The aspects that puzzle all too many painters are the very qualities unique to this medium.
I will guide you to a better understanding of these techniques and how best to exploit the qualities of oil paint
PASTEL PAINTING
Pastels are by far the most misunderstood of all the media. This is partly because of their nature and partly because of the way many are introduced to them in the first instance.
Yet they are one of the most beautiful and versatile mediums available, being one of the purest forms in which to obtain and use pigment. Pastels demand a logical approach and a structured way to use them.
I will guide you to how best to exploit pastels and successfully layer them using the minimum number of colours.