Figure Painting in Oil from Life

Key details

Location

Falmouth Campus

Course duration

4 days

Course overview

Create a full-length figure painting in oils on this four-day course, working from a life model each day.

You’ll draw a pose in charcoal and learn how to transfer your drawing onto a canvas or plywood panel, exploring oil painting techniques to build up layers of paint. As well as a focus on traditional oil paint techniques, you’ll also learn to consider the flow of light, the focal points of your painting, and a sense of atmosphere around the figure.

Run by Emily Roberts, an artist who specialises in working from life, this course is based on our beautiful Falmouth campus and is suitable for all levels.

Tuition fees per individual: £595

How to apply

See course dates below that are available to book.

Upcoming courses

Figure paintings in oil by Emily Roberts

Figure painting in oil by Emily Roberts

Tue 19 Aug 2025

4-day course 19 - 22 August | Price: £595

Figure painting in oil from life 19-22 August

In-person

Working with a life model each day, create a full-length figure painting in oils on this 4-day cours...

Figure painting in oil from life 19-22 August

If no upcoming Short Courses are displayed above, get in touch with us for more information.

Course details

Working with a life model each day, create a full-length figure painting in oils on this 4-day course with Emily Roberts. The course is based in a fantastic life drawing studio on our beautiful Falmouth campus.

Using the historic sight- size method employed by Titian, Velazquez and Singer Sargent, you'll be supported to create a full-length figure painting over the course of 4 days.

You'll begin by drawing a pose in charcoal, concentrating on light and shadow before being taught the technique to transfer this drawing onto a panel (either canvas or plywood, as you choose). Beginners can find they get a better result from working onto plywood, whereas those with more experience can use canvas – however both choices will be supported for everyone.

The course will introduce you to traditional oil painting techniques and the limited palette of colours, and Emily will support you to carefully build up layers of paint, exploring various techniques for oil painting as we explore colour, tone, anatomy and light effect.

You'll leave with your final charcoal drawing on paper and your final full-length figure painting on canvas or plywood.

On our final afternoon the course will conclude with a peer review of everyone’s work and a small celebration of achievements.

Please see the course outline for more information on what each day will cover.

This course is taught by Emily Roberts, an artist and teacher whose work is held in private collections across Europe and North America.

All materials you’ll need are included in this course, using professional art supplies; and tea and coffee is provided each day. Please bring a packed lunch with you or there are nearby café’s in Falmouth (an hour is allowed for lunch each day).

Day one:

After a short introduction to the sight-size technique we will begin by drawing the figure in charcoal. Concentrating on contour, gesture and tonal values as well as the treatment of edges, we will create a tonal study of the figure which can be referred to throughout the painting process.

Day two:

We will discuss the limited palette, colour mixing and painting with oils before beginning our lay-in. A thin layer of paint will be applied over the surface of the canvas, which will be built up over the course of the day, creating thicker creamy light areas and thinner, more translucent darks that create a sense of depth. We will look at wet into wet painting and discuss the treatment of edges, whilst always referring back to the gesture and form.

Day three:

Continuing to build layers of paint we will begin to consider the harmony of the painting, ensuring that all parts are working together to make a cohesive work. We will consider the flow of light, anatomy and the focal points of the painting.

Day four:

Dependant on the paint quality we will use glazes to tint the colour values and soften areas, as well as using impasto to accentuate highlights. We will discuss creating a sense of atmosphere around the figure and work towards your finished painting.

How you'll learn

Emily teaches this course in an accessible method where traditional techniques are built up step by step. Each day will be spent in taught sessions with a life model constantly available for a reference point. There will be time to develop and explore techniques as you work through each day.

Each evening there is optional time to continue to develop your work on your own, with the studio open until 21:00.

Who is this course for

This course is suitable for creative people with all levels of experience.

Course leader: Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts is a figurative painter and sculptor. After studying History of Art at the University of Bristol she attended Charles Cecil Studios in Florence where she trained in classical drawing and oil painting. Since then she has expanded her field of knowledge from this traditional foundation to include pastel painting, ceramic sculpture, stone carving and the creation of inks and paints with an increased focus on creating her own materials from natural, sustainable, local materials.

At Charles Cecil Studios Emily also took on various teaching and administrative roles, and has continued to teach throughout her career at studios across the UK and Europe. She is currently a Senior Technician for Life Drawing and Painting at Falmouth University and teaches regular workshops in Cornwall, including at St Ives School of Painting. 

She has shown work in institutions such as the Royal Academy, Turner Contemporary and Mall Galleries. Her work is held in private collections across Europe, Asia and America. 

Each day will have the following timings:  

9.30: Arrival and welcome, tea and coffee  

10am – 1pm: Morning session   

1pm – 2pm: Lunch break (please bring a packed lunch or visit a nearby cafe)  

2pm – 5pm: Afternoon session  

5pm – 9pm: The art studio will remain open until 9pm on days 1-3 for you to continue working on your own, if you wish to do so.

An apron or clothing you don’t mind getting messy!
You may wish to bring a reusable water bottle with you.
Please remember to bring a packed lunch with you.

All materials and equipment you’ll need are provided, using professional-quality art supplies. However if you have favourite brushes you wish to use please bring them with you.

There will be a model to work from in all taught sessions each day, as a constant reference.

Tea/coffee is included each day. Please bring a packed lunch with you.

This course is taught in a fantastic life drawing studio on our Falmouth Campus.

Our Falmouth Campus can be reached via a range of public transport options. You can find out more, here.  

For campus maps and information on visiting us, please visit our How to find us page.

There are no prerequisites for this course, it’s suitable for creative people with all levels of experience. Whether you are wishing to explore figure painting as a beginner, or whether you have some existing experience and would like the opportunity to develop your technique further this course will be suitable for you.

Accommodation is not included in this course cost. If you would like to book accommodation, please see our accommodation for short course students page for a range of options.  

Our Falmouth campus is not fully accessible, with some activities in early Victorian three storey buildings.

Please contact us if you have questions about mobility and access.  

How to apply

To apply for this course, make your selection from the available dates below, this will take you to an event page where you will be able to book yourself onto the course via the Book now link.

Tuition fees per individual: £595