Advanced Painting and Printmaking: Exploring Colour
with Nick Archer
Spring Term Dates:
7, 14, 21, 28 January
4, 11 February
(Half Term 18 February)
25 February
4, 11, 18, 25 March
1April
This programme combines contemporary traditional approaches to painting and will involve elements of drawing, printmaking, collage, and photography alongside painting to explore different approaches to painting.
This term explores colour. We will do some colour painting exercises such as painting images using just one colour and then painting imagery using just complimentary colour. The exploratory work will then be used as reference to create a finished piece of work in the studio from imagery chosen by the student. The course will be backed up with talks about artists and their work along with talks about colour theory
The course is divided into three four-week blocks.
Spring Term 2025 Course Details
Weeks 1-4
We will start with some colour mixing exercises.
Firstly, you will be asked to paint a still life or an object of a colour with the same colour background for example a lemon on a yellow background. This will develop your skill in colour mixing as well as heightening your subtlety when it comes to mixing colour.
Secondly you will be asked to paint an image of your choice using just complimentary colour
We will also look at using limited colour palettes such as the Zorn palette.
Uglow
Weeks 5-8
You will be asked to develop a colour strategy to create a composition of your choice. You will be able to work from photographs or from observation, whichever you prefer
Albers
Weeks 9-12
The third block will focus on making a final painting from the experiences gained. You will also have the option of creating a series of prints from the images you have created. With the use of the press, we will be using monoprinting, collography and dry point. You will learn the techniques needed for these processes, and determine which process works best to create a series of prints from your final painting.
Matisse
Materials
Sketching materials
Paper (or sketch book)
Watercolours or acrylics (range of colours)
Pencils
Rubber
Charcoal
Studio materials
Canvas or board (idealy with a coat of beige/light red base colour)
https://www.jacksonsart.com/clear-primed-rough-linen-cl681-on-mdf-board-30-x-
40cm/?___store=jacksonsart_en&acc=2e7ceec8361275c4e31fee5fe422740b
Oil colours or acrylics – suggested colours – titanium white, ultramarine blue, viridian green,
yellow ochre, lemon yellow, cadmium red, alizarine crimson.
introductory-set-6x40ml?___store=jacksonsart_en&acc=2e7ceec8361275c4e31fee5fe422740b
Low odour thinners (such as Sansodour, Shelsol or Zest)
https://www.jacksonsart.com/jackson-s-pure-sol-low-odour-solvent-studio-safe-with-high-flash-point-
500ml/?___store=jacksonsart_en&acc=2e7ceec8361275c4e31fee5fe422740b
Range of brushes
https://www.jacksonsart.com/pro-arte-polar-brush-wallet-set-of-5-2-4-6-8-round-3-8-
flat?___store=jacksonsart_en&acc=2e7ceec8361275c4e31fee5fe422740b
Rags
2 x jars
Pallete knife
https://www.jacksonsart.com/r-g-m-palette-knife-no-
54?___store=jacksonsart_en&acc=2e7ceec8361275c4e31fee5fe422740b
If you already have materials but not quite the same range of colours, that isn’t a problem: just bring what you have.
If you need to buy any materials and need advice, don’t hesitate to ask.
Reviews for Nick Archer:
“Nick Archer is a very supportive and encouraging tutor, who guides each of us to develop his/her own style. However, far from letting us “run wild,” he is first-rate at ensuring we properly observe, analyse, see correctly, and learn, when relevant, to use colour and tone. All this applies equally to his life drawing and painting classes. Having appreciated that you have grasped the basics, Nick will help you branch out and run wild if you wish!”
— Alison R Noyes
“Nick Archer has a wealth of technical knowledge combined with an ability to stretch the boundaries of what is possible. Always supportive and willing to give constructive advice and feedback were required. I can't recommend his classes enough.”
—Helen Rawlinson
Nick Archer
Nick trained at the Royal Academy Schools in London (1996-1999) and is a BP Portrait Prize finalist. He was a member of the Royal Society of Portrait painters from 2000 – 2008. He has won several awards, including 1st at the Hunting Art Prize in 2001. He has exhibited extensively in the UK and Europe since 1999, including solo exhibitions with Louise Alexander Gallery (Porto Cervo, Italy), Sarah Myerscough Fine Art (London), Long and Ryle (London), Galerie Hug (Paris), Gowen Contemporary (Geneva) and with Christine Park (New York).
Nick is represented in London by Long and Ryle, in New York by Christine Park and in Geneva by Gowen Contemporary.
He is well established as an international artist and teacher, with a busy schedule of exhibitions and commissions.