In the Studios of Waterhouse

John William Waterhouse is one of Britain’s best-loved 19th century painters. A ‘modern Pre-Raphaelite’ who created innovative and exciting pictorial compositions, the works of Homer, Ovid, Shakespeare, Tennyson, and Keats were especially significant to him. These inspirations can be seen in such magnificent pictures as The Lady of Shalott, St.Cecilia, Hylas and the Nymphs, and A Mermaid. Working from a selected study, students learn the specific step-by-step process to achieve an exact copy, as well as gain a clear understanding of the principles of oil painting, and the best techniques and materials to use. This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience.

About ARA Workshops

Each participant gets lots of one-on-one attention from our superb instructors. ARA instructors teach year round so, unlike many artists who offer summer/holiday workshops our instructors are professional teachers as well as successful award-winning artists. Whether you are an award-winning experienced artist or have never painted before, our instructors will tailor to your skill level.

If you have any questions or are having trouble with online registration, please contact us.

All participants attending workshops at our physical location will be required to follow our studio policies in effect to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

MASKS AND HAND HYGIENE ON ARRIVAL

On entering the Columbus Centre, please use the hand sanitization stations in the lobby and elevator. Upon arriving on the 3rd floor, all arriving students are also expected to wash their hands in one of the sinks in the Figure and Workshop rooms.

Students and instructors are expected to wear masks at all times.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

All horses and easels will be taped and placed 6 feet apart to ensure enough distance between you and your neighbours. These are not to be moved. Instructors will wear masks at all times and practice social distancing while instructing.

SANITIZATION STATIONS AND COMMON AREAS

Frequent hand sanitization throughout your time in the school is asked. Sanitization stations are located outside of each studio. The lunch room will not be available, so please plan accordingly and follow social distancing rules during breaks.

We ask that any students who are feeling unwell or who have had recent close contact with a confirmed case, please stay home and self-isolate. Contact us before your workshop starts and we will issue a refund or apply your deposit to future workshop.

Out-of-town?

Please note the travel restrictions that are in place during the pandemic, and respect required 14-day quarantine periods if you have traveled recently. If you are coming from out of town and need local accommodations, click here to see our list of inexpensive places to stay near the Academy.

Can’t make it this time?

We offer our workshops on a regular basis. Sign up for regular email workshop updates on our homepage.

Where to buy art supplies?

Click here for a list of local art supply stores.

Materials List

OIL COLOURS:

• Titanium White, Lead White
• Cad Yellow Med
• Yellow Ochre Light or Pale
• Cad Orange
• Cad Red Med
• Alizarin Crimson
• Earth Red: Venetian or Persian (Indian) red
• Red Umber (Williamsburg, Old Holland, Michael Harding)
• Burnt Umber
• Raw Umber
• Ultramarine Blue
• Ivory Black or lamp black

Note: Purchase only Artist Grade paints. Do not use Winton or water soluble paints.

SOLVENT:

• Odorless mineral spirits (GamSol). Turpentine is NOT permitted in the studio.

CANVAS:

• Primed acrylic panel or canvas 18″X24″ (panel preferred). Ampersand or Raymar are suggested brands.

NOTE: Your canvas for this workshop should be prepared ahead of time with a neutral grey imprimatura: an initial mid-value stain of oil paint diluted with mineral spirits, and applied over the entire surface of the canvas. We suggest trying to match the grey swatch below as best you can using a mixture of white, black, and raw umber well mixed with a palette knife. You will need approximately half a ping pong ball-sized amount. You can transfer this to a disposable pie plate to dilute slowly with mineral spirits until the mixture is the consistency of house paint. Apply it with a brush over the entire canvas and set aside for at least 2 weeks to dry completely. To speed up drying, you can add a drying agent, like Liquin or another alkyd dryer, before applying.

MEDIUMS:

• Linseed oil

TOOLS:

• Palette (Select one of the following): Glass, wood or paper (Grey Matters)
• 2 Palette knives; long blades
• 2 Medium cups
• 2 Small jars for cleaning brushes
• Mahl stick (a ½ inch diameter dowel approximately 30 inches)
• Rags or paper towels or shop towels
• Knitting needle

BRUSHES (either natural or synthetic hair):

• 2-3 Bristle hair filbert brushes – ranging in size from #2 to #8
• 10-20 Soft hair filbert brushes – ranging in size from #2 to #12
  • 2-3 EACH of #2, #4, #6, and #8
  • 1 EACH of #10 and #12

Note: No flats or round brushes needed; these are the minimum brush requirements – please feel free to bring more.