Workshop with Lucy Runge: Still life, part 1 – setting up and drawing

Lucy studied painting at Chelsea and then Norwich School of Art.  She paints and exhibits regularly, winning recognition and awards for her contemplative still-life paintings.   Alongside her studio practice Lucy teaches observational painting and drawing and works part time as an associate lecturer on the University of the Arts London, Foundation course in Exeter and runs a weekly observational drawing class.

Lucy will be running two workshops – this first practical workshop where you will explore what to consider when setting up a still-life, leading on to making a drawing from your arrangements of objects.  The second workshop in early 2027 will be working alla prima to create a colourful and light filled painting still-life study in oil.

Both workshops are ideal for beginners to intermediate – some prior experience of oil painting and own materials are necessary for the second workshop. You can do either workshop or both.

This first workshop will cover how to select and combine objects for a simple still-life arrangement, different ways of lighting your still-life to establish the relationship of light and shadow shapes, thumbnailing to identify strong composition choices.  In the afternoon you will make a tonal still-life drawing using charcoal, or pencil.  Support and guidance will be given throughout.