Exploring the Methods and Techniques of Bouguereau

Edinburgh Atelier of Fine Art Instructors Ewan McNaughton and Lea Vaughn are delighted to present their own personal experimentation and historical research into the methods of their favourite painter, William Adolphe Bouguereau.

Bouguereau was undoubtedly the champion of representational art during his lifetime. Whether it be his classically inspired Nymphs and cherubs, or his peasant girl portraits, artists to this day are mesmerised by the true mastery of his rendering skin, giving the illusion of truly luminous flesh in his paintings.

Over six days, you will be given short lectures and demonstrations, followed by the chance to put these methods to the test for yourself working from a print. Many of Bouguereau’s paintings are very large so you will be painting a section from a larger painting at the same size it was originally painted. All prints will be portraits, so emphasis is given to achieving luminous flesh colours.

Stages of painting explained and demonstrated include the “ground colour”, “bistre layer”, “ebauche”, “over painting” and final “glazes”.

All current Covid prevention methods will be in place.

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Materials Needed

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Brushes

A range of varying sized filbert hog hair bristle brushes

A range of varying sized, filbert and round soft-haired brushes (softer the better)

Mediums

Gamsol odourless mineral spirit

Linseed Stand oil

Liquin

Paints

Titanium White (Lead white if you can get it)

Naples Yellow

Chrome Yellow (or Cadmium Yellow will be fine)

Yellow Ochre

Transparent Oxide Yellow

Raw Umber

Vermillion Hue

Burnt Sienna

Transparent Oxide Red

Transparent Oxide Brown

Alizarin Crimson

Cobalt Blue

Veridian

Van Dyke Brown

Ivory Black

Canvas

Acrylic or oil primed, 30 x 40 cm FINE WEAVE or EXTRA FINE WEAVE linen canvas

Extras

A small blade palette knife, no longer than two inches.

Paper towels

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