Figure Painting in Oil

March 23 - May 11, 2026 (Skip April 6)

7 Weeks, Mondays, 6 - 8:30PM

Instructor: Mel Tychonievich

Figure Painting in Oil is a class that focuses on painting the human figure from life, with an emphasis on both Grisaille and Alla Prima approaches. Students will learn to translate observation into paint through careful study of proportion, value, color, and form while working from a live model. The course explores two complementary methods: the Grisaille, which emphasizes value structure and form through monochromatic underpainting, and Alla Prima, which encourages direct, confident painting using full color. Through demonstrations, guided practice, and individualized instruction, students will develop a stronger understanding of paint handling, edge control, and visual decision-making. Designed to support artists at any stage, this class offers structured guidance for beginners building foundational skills and meaningful challenges for advanced students seeking to refine efficiency, accuracy, and expressive clarity in their figure painting.

See syllabus for material list, and plan for each week of class.

Ages 18+ The model for this course will be nude. A parent/guardian must sign a waiver to allow any minor to take the course. If you are registering a minor, please contact the Education Coordinator to request a waiver.

$175 Members | $225 Non-Members

If you must cancel, please email (info@stlouisartistsguild.org) or call STLAG. A refund will be given only if cancellation occurs seven days prior to the first day of class. No exceptions. Refunds will be processed minus a $25 withdrawal fee.

St. Louis Artists Guild is committed to providing educational experiences to as many people as possible. We are pleased to offer sliding-scale scholarships to make classes and workshops more accessible to our community, adults & children. If you are interested in scholarship information please contact Kathryn Nahorski, Membership and Development Director, at knahorski@stlouisartistsguild.org