Figure Painting

7 WEEK COURSE

Sundays 11:00-1:30 PM

Jan 4 - Feb 15 2026

WITH Chaitanya Varma

all levels welcome

PRICE: $265 (Includes model fee)

class summary

This course will cover the fundamental skills necessary for painting the nude figure with oil paint with a strong emphasis on using tonal relationships to communicate form

The class will begin with an full length demonstration on the first day. During the demonstration, the instructor will give an in depth explanation of the materials and techniques necessary to execute a figure painting. Students will be working from the live model, initially exploring color with shorter poses, then using a monochrome palette to better understand tonal relationships. The remainder of the class will focus on developing a more completed painting over four consecutives sessions as the instructor provides individual advice and critique

No prior experience is required! As we keep class sizes small, our instructors can cater to each student’s individual skill level.

MATERIALS

The first class will be an extended demonstration, so you won’t need to have everything right away. We can also discuss materials and cover any questions you may have on the first day of class

Painting surfaces, 18x24. Stretched canvas is fine, Fredrix canvas pad is a great affordable option. You’ll want two of these
Filbert/Flat bristle brushes (Princeton Aspen are a great synthetic option for those who want to avoid animal products)
- I recommend having at least one each of sizes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Synthetic flat brushes for details
- I typically use a 2 and a 4
Palette, wood or glass. I use a 12x16 sheet of glass from home depot and put it in a palette box
Oil Paint Colors. We’ll discuss this further in class. Winton is a good, affordable starter brand. Only the first four pigments are absolutely necessary
- Necessary Pigments
  - Titanium White
  - Cadmium Red
  - Yellow Ochre
  - Ivory Black
- Also helpful
  - Burnt Umber
  - Raw Umber
  - Transparent Red Oxide (burnt sienna is also fine but I prefer TRO)
  - Permanent Alizarin Crimson
- Optional others
  - Indian Yellow
  - Pthalo Green
  - Cadmium Yellow
  - Ultramarine Blue
  - + Any Other Colors You Want to Bring!
Odorless Mineral Spirit (Gamsol) and a brush cleaning jar of some sort
Linseed Oil (optional)
Paper Towels Or Rags
Box for Palette/Wet Painting

Syllabus

Week 1 Extended demonstration

Week 2 Short Poses

Week 3 Grisaille

Week 4 Long pose, week one

Week 5 Long pose, week one

Week 6 Long pose, week three

Week 7 Long pose, week four

REFUNDS

Please contact us at least 1 week before class for a full refund. Unfortunately due to our limited class sizes we cannot process refunds after this time. Transfers to other classes are usually possible

It is possible that a class is cancelled if an inadequate number of students register. In this case, tuition will be promptly refunded

absences

Anyone who must miss classes may attend up to two make-up sessions in other classes as long as space permits

click here to sign up!