Capturing light in paint

Service Description

This practical painting workshop explores the techniques and visual language of Australian Impressionist Tom Roberts, using his iconic painting "Bailed Up!)" 1895/1927) as the central exemplar. Through close observation, discussion and practical painting exercises, participants will investigate how Roberts used colour, light, tonal relationships, composition, brushwork and paint application to convey the intense heat, atmosphere and distinctive character of the Australian bush. Session 1 Thursday 8th October 6.15pm - 9.15pm. Looking and Seeing: Light, Colour & Composition Participants will analyse the painting’s composition, perspective, tonal structure, warm and cool colour relationships, treatment of sunlight and shadow, and the way simplified shapes and directional brushwork create depth and atmosphere. Short practical exercises will explore colour mixing, tonal studies and expressive brush marks, leading to the start of a small landscape study inspired by Roberts’ approach. Session 2. Saturday 10th October 10am - 2.30pm (inc 1/2 hour lunch break. BYO lunch) Painting the Australian Impression. The second session introduces Roberts-inspired approaches to blocking-in, colour relationships, broken and directional brushwork, edges, texture and the depiction of heat and light. The session will emphasise observation and interpretation. encouraging each participant to translate Roberts’ techniques into their own visual language. The workshop concludes with reflection and discussion of the resulting works. All materials provided, plus tea/coffee/refreshments. About the painting Tom Roberts’s Bailed Up (1895–1927) is an important work in the development of post-colonial landscape painting because it does much more than depict a bushranger robbery—it helped define what Australian landscape painting could look and feel like.