Rupert Denyer

A blog about making pictures and how they came to be

Remote Tuition

Remote Drawing and Painting Tuition: Learn Anywhere with Personalized Instruction

In many respects they are one and the same – a way of seeing and recording, the materials we use to do this are the difference. With todays technology it is entirely possible to teach remotely. Google or Zoom allow teaching to happen all over the world.

When I studied in Florence years ago, we would often receive a small amount of tuition each day, 5 minutes, then the rest was continued practise.

There are many things that can be discussed and focused upon for the benefit of the student, depending on their level and aims.

An art deco figurine lamp is central in this charcoal drawing. The figure is leaning backwards and there is an art deco marble clock in the background. The drawing is very well observed with a fine drawing technique.

Mass Drawing

A good place to start for a beginner. Mass drawing bypasses the need to translate to line. Concentrating on shape and tone, which builds confidence quickly. A good route to oil painting.

A portrait of the artist's wife in pencil. A combination of line and mass drawing. The sitter is sat at a three quarter angle and has her hair tied at the back of her head. She is wearing a summer Belstaff jacket. The drawing has been made in pencil.

Line Drawing

It’s a wonderful discipline for understanding and expressing form and design. There’s nothing to say you can’t have a touch of both mass and line together.

This is a still life painting made in oil paint. It has a low tonal key with no dramatic light and shade. On a wooden table stands a white vase of purple tulips. Beside the vase is a folded newspaper. In the background there is a plaster sculpture, the horses head from the Parthenon frieze. There is a flint wall behind. Everything is harmonious in colour.

Picture Making

Nothing beats brushwork searching for the truth made painting from life. Even if it’s studies to make a larger picture. Direct painting improves facility.

A still life of a black wooden carpenters tool box, which is open to reveal tools. A saw and a drill lay on the open box. The box stands on a wooden floor with a hammer and spirit level in the foreground. The painting is full of lively brushwork and is very well observed.

Composition

Paintings often fail because of composition. But it’s not always obvious at first. There are checks one can apply before starting a picture.

A still life sits on top of a brown wooden chest of drawers. there are two rolls of paper in the background, one yellow and the other grey. A small figurine, roliflex camera and case sit on top of a sheet of purple paper. There is a roll of masking tape to the side. The painting has been made in oil paint and is very well observed.

Colour

Ultimately colour becomes very personal. I encourage the use of a limited palette with three primary colours. And I always explain why this is important.

A black and white shot of the artist on location in the city of Taranto in Puglia, Italy. The picture has been taken directly into the sunlight and the artist (Rupert Denyer) is seen as a silhouette. He is making a painting of the old city in Taranto.

The Artist

There are probably two types – those who respond to things seen and felt in the world. And those who have ideas within and bring their skills to express them.

Anyone can learn to Paint or Draw

I provide one to one tuition with one hour long session at €120 (euros). 45 minutes of direct tuition on a pre-agreed subject or area, with a 15 minute summary at the end for the student to go away and practise. Depending on where you live, we will arrange a convenient schedule.

Contact for further details