Beyond Realism
with John Murphy-Woolford
This course explores the rich variety of visual possibilities prompted by the developments in abstract art through the 20th century. We will see how representational artists push the boundaries of depiction, and use these examples to make our own images.
Expressionism
exploring the approaches of
Munch
Kirchner
de Kooning
Auerbach
de Kooning: Woman 1
Lesson summary
A slide presentation introduces the context of the lesson, with examples of paintings illustrating a particular approach, school or subject. We will simplify our task by focusing on one element at a time with the aim that by the end of the course, students have the knowledge necessary to expressively and imaginatively develop their own ideas and projects.
A wide variety of artistic approaches and languages used through art history, feeding the creative possibilities of your own chosen subject.
Students will Learn:
The basic elements of image making, and practical approaches to developing an image from initial concept to completed picture.
How to move past the feeling of ‘copying’ your subject to an imaginative and intelligent response.
To explore how images of the same subject communicate very differently depending on the visual language used.
To develop and enrich your own personal style.
Students are invited to bring their own subject matter or project to class. This can be in the form of photos, pictures and drawings or physical subjects to use as starting points for work. Alternatively, there will always be a subject set up in the studio to work from.
Suggested Materials
Any painting medium will work for these classes, (provided storage, drying and transportation practicalities are understood by the students). Papers or inexpensive board surfaces. Stretched canvas for anyone wishing to produce a completed painting.
Brushes, paint, coloured pastels, inks, masking tape, pencils, collage material and glue. Jars for water and / or solvent.
John Murphy-Woolford
John Murphy-Woolford graduated from Falmouth School of Art and Coventry Polytechnic in the 1980‘s and has lived and worked in London for over 30 years. He is a painter, printmaker and collage artist whose practice comprises almost exclusively of still life and self-portraits. John has exhibited in the UK and Europe, notably twice with the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery.
“I have to say John is one of the most inspiring teachers whose taught me SO MUCH !”
“I really enjoyed today’s class and John is an excellent teacher”