Mastering oils:
paint a portrait with liv
Across four sessions on:
9th Nov, 16th Nov, 7th Dec & 4th Jan
Immerse yourself in the world of oil painting in this intensive yet welcoming four-week course. Hosted in an authentic artist’s studio on a serene East London city farm, this masterclass is designed for complete beginners and those seeking a comprehensive refresher in oils.
Rooted in traditional oil painting methods and working from life models, the workshops also invite you to explore contemporary approaches and develop your own artistic voice. You’ll gain essential observational skills that will strengthen your practice, sharpen your eye, as well as deepen your understanding of this timeless medium.
Doors open on Wednesday 15th October
Liv is an experienced artist trained at Florence Academy of Art and formerly a tutor at the Barcelona Academy of Art. She has worked as a painting assistant to Nick Devereux, Philip Colbert, and Hugo Wilson, and has exhibited both nationally and internationally - most recently presenting her solo show What Rests There at The Three Rooms Gallery in Walthamstow.
In this workshop, you’ll learn the time-honoured techniques of the European ateliers in a friendly, supportive, and unpressured environment that encourages exploration and personal expression.
About your Host - LIv crane
-
Familiarise yourself with materials - introduction to the qualities of oil paint and its mediums with demonstrations. Start and complete a simple grisaille (monotone) still life painting.
Including an intro to colour palettes (Grisaille, Zorn, Full), blending techniques (tones, values, contrast, temperature), layering (fat over lean), and understanding mediums (turpentine, Liquin, linseed oil etc.) and surfaces.
-
A deeper dive into understanding colour and the various colour palettes, how to mix colours e.g. fleshtones and natural vs acidic greens, the colour wheel, brushwork techniques, and glazing and more.
Colour sketches in the studio or farm (weather dependent). Practice creating a more colourful still life to build confidence with chroma. Learn to look at how other artists harmonize colour.
-
Working on an individual panel to create portrait sketches using dry materials such as charcoal. Focus on understanding the construction of the face and form by drawing short sketches of other people from life. Life models will be present.
-
Applying a full, rich palette to create an in-depth portrait - from life models - on a larger 50 x 50cm canvas.
Includes art history education, referencing artists like Alice Neel, to inspire your final piece.
-
At the end we have a group sharing, picture-taking and an opportunity to have your work framed there and then.
Everyone leaves with a smile on their face and a finished piece to take home. (It will be wet as oil paints take their sweet time to dry, so Liv is hand-making mounted carriers for ease)
COURSE STRUCTURE
-
Your Final Portrait: By the end of the four weeks, you will have created a diverse collection of work, marking your journey into oil painting
A Portfolio of Sketches: You’ll have created a selection of practical studies, including quick life sketches of fellow students and observational oil sketches
-
You'll complete a portrait of the live model used in the final session, utilising all the techniques learned throughout the course. You can take this home with you, or get it framed by Liv (yes, she is multi-talented) and organise delivery soon afterwards.
-
You'll walk away with a thorough, practical understanding of oil painting - from preparing surfaces and selecting mediums to advanced observational skills and techniques in form, light and colour.
You'll know why certain techniques work, straight from someone who mastered her craft at Europe's top academies.
-
You'll connect with a supportive group of fellow students, making new friends and joining a community of like-minded creatives in a friendly, unjudgmental studio environment.
Guests will get…
You won't just leave with memories - you'll leave with a tangible body of work and, more importantly, a deeply integrated set of new skills.
Doors open on Wednesday 15th October
Designed for all levels
For: Everyone
Where: Georgie Mason Studio
Stepney City Farm
Stepney Way
London
E1 3DG
Cost: £350 per person. This includes:
- All Materials: Paper, gesso, boards, quality oil paints, brushes, mediums, and an apron.
- Expert Tuition: Professional, international-level instruction from Liv.
- Take-Home Box: A dedicated box for safely transporting your finished painting.
- Amenities: Complimentary tea and coffee, a curated playlist to fuel your imagination, and the beautiful, serene setting of the farm. Toilet on site.
Got a question? Drop me a message at georgie@georgiemason.co.uk
FAQs
-
You need to come to all sessions as each one feeds into the next. However if you’re experienced with oils and you just want to come to the last one or two, do let us know and if for any reason we have a cancellation we’ll let you know.
-
If you book the course and can’t make all four sessions, unfortunately we can’t offer reductions/refunds.
However all course attendees will receive 15% off 1-2-1 sessions with Liv at a future date and/or you can come to Creativity Club with Georgie to finish your piece (only £7.50, Tuesday evenings - book here)
-
- Sketchbooks (optional - sketching paper will be provided).
- Scruffy-ish clothes - a kimono will be provided but don't wear your best suit!
- Your own booze/lunch if you desire
-
A: No prior experience is necessary. All my classes are designed to be welcoming and accessible to all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced artists.
-
A: Wear comfortable clothing that’s a bit scruffy. I provide full-sleeve kimonos, but it’s always a good idea to dress casually.
-
A: Each class is 3 hours, so 12 hours total tuition.
-
A: Yes! Liv offers private sessions and group workshops for parties, team-building events, or special occasions. Please contact info@georgiemason.co.uk for more details and to make arrangements.
-
A: Customers can cancel up to 28 days before the course starts
-
A: 13+ . Most people who come to our workshops are adults however we find that 13 year olds who want to come along to something like this tend to be quite serious artists and we are not age-ist!
-
A: Light refreshments, such as tea, coffee, and snacks, are provided in the studio. For Weekend Workshops we have a short lunch break with food from the delicious onsite cafe Stepney’s. Check the specific class details for more information.
-
A: Please let me know in advance if you have any special needs or requirements, and I will do my best to accommodate them.
-
A: There is some parking outside the farm on the yellow lines available on Saturdays , and paid parking options within walking distance.
-
A: Totally up to you! Bring a friend or partner if you want company, but equally if you just fancy unwinding and getting creative on your own, that's great too. If you do come alone, it's really up to you whether you chat to the rest of the group or just find your own flow and stay quite quiet!
Testimonials
Contact Me
Have more questions or need further information? Feel free to reach out to me at info@georgiemason.co.uk.