Summer School - Good Artists Copy Great Artists Steal: Degas and Late Twentieth-Century British Paintings

Summer School – Good Artists Copy Great Artists Steal: Degas and Late Twentieth-Century British Paintings

‘Take What You Need’ from exploring the works of Degas and Late Twentieth-Century British Paintings. This painting course examines how the work of Edgar Degas influenced late 20th-century British art, from the abstract paintings of Howard Hodgkin to the vivid, human-animal compositions of Francis Bacon.

What The Course is About:

Day 1: We will explore Degas’s approach to painting, which was grounded in the French Academy's principles—such as "learn to paint like Velázquez, then find your own way." Special attention will be given to his ability to evoke movement through his handling of paint and his distinctive use of colour. We'll discuss how an understanding of these techniques shaped the work of later British artists. You will be asked to select and study a Degas painting, with demonstrations to deepen your understanding. Day 2: You’ll create small-scale studies based on portrait photographs and images of ballet dancers and bathers, the latter captured by Degas himself. The concepts discussed on Day 1 will be applied to your own work. Day 3: Using one or more of your studies, you will create a large-scale painting. The goal of this course is to draw inspiration from Degas and the artists he influenced, helping you refine and enhance your painting skills

Materials Required:

What to bring to the first session: Bring to the first class any drawing and painting materials you possess i.e. acrylic paints, brushes, pencils etc. Paper and further items can be purchased from the school shop.

Previous Experience:

All Levels

End of course:

What will I achieve?

The aim is ‘to take what you need’ from analysing Edgar Degas' work, how he influenced late 20th-century British art, to help you improve your own work.