Breaking Down the Busy Scene with Jeremy Sanders
Course Details
Course Description
Learn how to introduce figures into a scene to bring life, movement, and narrative into your work.
Figures are often left out of paintings—sometimes due to a perceived complexity, and sometimes because a scene can feel calmer without them. In this workshop, Jeremy will demonstrate the value of adding people to your paintings, showing how figures can enhance storytelling, scale, and atmosphere. He will guide you through breaking down a busy scene, helping you turn what may initially feel overwhelming into a balanced, dynamic composition full of character and energy.
The day will begin with a demonstration, where Jeremy breaks a complex scene into simple shapes and tonal values. As the session progresses, you’ll refine your figures and develop detail at your own pace, with one-to-one guidance provided throughout to support your individual approach and confidence.
STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO PAINT IN ACRYLICS OR OILS BUT PLEASE NOTE THAT JEREMY WILL DEMO IN OILS
Course Information
Ability level
All Levels Welcome
Medium
Useful Links
YOU ARE WELCOME TO USE EITHER OILS OR ACRYLICS – JEMERY WILL DEMO IN OILS
- A canvas board – roughly 30 x 40cm in size. Please wash this with a colour ahead of the day. Bring two if you are a faster painter.
- A selection of brushes
- Masking tape
- Paints (oil or acrylic) – a selection of paints including the following colours: Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Phthalo Turquoise, Indian Yellow
- A palette
- Kitchen roll/rag cloth
- Low odour solvent if painting in oils
Provided by Cornwall School of Art if required
- Easels
- Drawing boards
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Rulers
- Scissors
- Clips
All art materials are available to purchase in the Truro Arts shop (subject to stock) – 26 River Street Truro TR1 2SJ. You will receive a 10% discount on all supplies for the course.
Jeremy sanders
Born in South Wales in 1969, Jeremy studied at St Martin’s School of Art, graduated from the University of the West Country with a first class honours degree, and was a Prince’s Youth Business Trust gold medal winner. His work has featured widely on television programmes including Kay Mellor’s “Between the sheets” and Julie Burchill’s drama “Sugar rush”. The fashion brand Fat Face have used his paintings for a world wide campaign, and he has completed commissions for NatWest Insurance, Saga Ruby, Tui Celebration and Cunard Queen Victoria cruise liners. The last of these was launched by HRH the Prince of Wales, who has personally acknowledged Jeremy’s mentoring work for the Prince’s Trust.
Find Out MoreOur courses usually begin at 10am and end at 4:30pm, with a half an hour lunch break at around 1pm. There will also be brief morning and afternoon breaks, with free tea and coffee available in the kitchen area. At Lunch time you can make things nice and easy by pre-ordering a freshly prepared Coach House Lunch. Alternatively, you're very welcome to bring along a packed lunch and any other refreshments you like.
On sunny days students and tutors are invited to enjoy breaktimes outside in the leafy courtyard or gardens surrounded by birdsong.
Location
- The Coach House, Bodrean, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 9AG
- Directions:
- https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cornwall+School+of+Art/@50.2922014,-5.0281874,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x486b17ee72da9861:0x50787f1497bcc23b!8m2!3d50.2921191!4d-5.0225226!16s%2Fg%2F11t66n4zj1?entry=ttu
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Cancellations
Cancellations must be made in writing/email more than 4 weeks prior to the course start date to guarantee a refund. Read our full policy on the Course Terms & Conditions page.
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