Introduction to Figure Painting
Instructor: BiLan Liao
Syllabus
Classroom: 602 KCAD
Class Hours: Sundays 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
E-mail: liaob@fsuimail.ferris.edu
Course Description
Introduction to Figure Painting will focus on basic, traditional figure painting. Students will learn basic materials,
tools, and techniques for figure painting oil on canvas. Composing multi-figure traditional paintings will be
introduced. The subjects for compositions in this course will be taken primarily from the human model; however,
some may be taken from photography.
Goals of the Course
The student will, at various degrees depending on her/his ability, skill, and motivation:
Learn materials and tools
Learn color mixing skills
Learn general, traditional painting technique
Learn critical thinking and creative approaches to the figure
Learn multi – portrait and figure composition and space
Tentative Schedule (Critiques held during class times)
Session 1
January 20: Introduction, Materials, and Syllabus.
Lecture on colors.
Demonstration - mixing colors.
Assignment #1 – mixing colors on a 16” x 20” canvas pad or canvas with
oil.
January 27: Lecture on masters’s works on the figure.
Assignment #2 – copy a master’s work on a 16” x 24” canvas pad or
canvas with oil.
February 3: Assignment #3 - head study from a model, on a 18” x 24” canvas with oil.
February 10: Assignment # 4 – figure study from a model, on a 18” x 24” canvas or large
size with oil.
February 17: Bring color photos to show desired subject for final Assignment
Continue to work on Assignment #4.
February 24: Final Assignment - figure study from color photography on a 18” x 24”
canvas or large at home.
(I will be at the CAA conference in Dallas from February 19 to 24, 2008, and I will make
up the class on March 2.)
March 2: Continue to work on Final Assignment.
Critique on all assignments.
(Make up for February 24 class.)
Materials List
Oil Colors
Lemon Yellows Hue
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Sienna
Cadmium Red Deep Hue
Cobalt Violet Hue
Permanent Green Light
Cobalt Blue (sky blue)
Phthalo Blue (deep blue)
Titaniurn White
Black (small tub)
Brands of Oil Colors
Windsor – Newton London (student grade), Windsor – Newton alkyds, Utrecht Oil Colors, Liguitex, Grurnbacher
Solvents
Turpenoid, Grumtine, Permatine, (no turpentine)
Brushes
Pig Bristle
Flat Bristle: No. 2, No. 8, No. 10
Round Bristle: No. 2, No. 6, No. 8
Palette Knives: one for mixing paint, and one for painting
Canvas: one 16” x 20” or 18”x 24” canvas pad or canvas, and three 18”x 24” canvases
Sighting Stick
Finder Viewing
Rag