How to Look at a Painting?

Where: The National Gallery, London

When: Monday 14 December, 10:30 to 12:30

Cost: £20 (scroll down for payment)

Maximum 11 people

This outing is full – if you’d like to join the waiting list, please email me (see “contact” above). Thanks!

How do we really look at a painting? What can we discover when we slow down and pay attention not only to what a picture represents, but to how it is made?

During this two-hour visit to the National Gallery, we will explore a selection of paintings dating from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century, using them to develop the skills and confidence needed to look at art more closely. Through observation and discussion, we will consider how artists use composition, colour, light, texture, space and brushwork to create meaning and guide our attention.

Rather than following a chronological tour of the collection, we will take a small number of paintings as starting points for close study and conversation. We will ask questions, compare different approaches and discover how much a painting can reveal when we take the time to really look.

Illustration above: National Gallery, London — photograph by xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0

Cost: £20

Payment is via Stripe with your bank card. It is easy and safe. If necessary, refunds can be processed with Stripe. A few days after you’ve paid you will receive a confirmation email from me.

All the information such as meeting point and contact details will be sent to everyone one week before the session, and then again the day before.

Please check the terms and conditions to see the policy about cancellations and refunds. If you have any issues or questions, do not hesitate to get in touch (see “contact” above).

This outing is now full – If you’d like to join the waiting list, please message me (see “contact” all the way at the top). Thanks!