Painting with Magritte: The Art of Illusion

This course is inspired by the art of Rene Magritte, whose illusionary art connects poetic expression from Hieronymus Bosch, the Symbolists to Pop Art and contemporary artists like Louise Hearman and Peter Doig. Magritte’s paintings express the inner mind and the innocence of dreams, elevating ordinary subjects into mythical realms of possibilities while emphasizing humanity and imaginative interpretations of reality.

The course begins with Kim Spooner leading an in-depth guided tour of the exhibition Magritte at the Art Gallery of NSW, along with a look at other relevant artworks in the gallery. Back in the NAS studios, students will learn painting techniques to express their own inner poetic visions to convey narratives in their work, through a series of drawing and painting studies. Kim’s workshops include group demonstrations and individual guidance on using traditional and contemporary techniques, in oils and acrylics, with various painterly mediums.

Students will complete a series of studies in different mediums and develop at least one sustained painting inspired by Magritte’s art, exploring their personal imaginative expressions and a deeper understanding of the poetic and imaginative aspects of art.

The course is suitable for students of all levels and experiences in painting.

* NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students from ages 15 years and over. 

*Drawing and painting short courses may be held in upstairs studios. If access to stairs is not suitable, please contact us at short.courses@nas.edu.au 

* What to bring? Please refer to the list of required materials in the Art Materials field below. 

Kim Spooner’s incisive and expressive portrait and figure paintings are held in public and private collections. She is an award-winning portraitist with portraits in the National Portrait Gallery and paintings and drawings in Regional Galleries throughout Australia. She is an inspirational teacher who is skilled at communicating ideas and responding to the individual needs of students and artists. She completed a residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris, in 2009. Winner of the 2006 Portia Geach Memorial Award, Kim is represented by Nanda\Hobbs Contemporary Gallery, Sydney.

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

You may consider the following materials for use during the course:

• Notebook and/or sketchbook, drawing paper such as cartridge and drawing media such as pencils, charcoal, compressed charcoal
• Oil/acrylic paints, bring whatever you have available and normally use
• For students using acrylic paint consider bringing acrylic emulsion or acrylic binder (500ml)
• For students using oil paint consider bringing medium No 1 which is a fast drying medium (500ml) refined linseed oil (500ml) if you use it, a solvent such as odourless solvent (500ml) and solvent for cleaning up (500ml – 1 litre)
• Brushes, square and round bristle – bring an assortment of sizes and whatever you usually use
• Palette for mixing paint. An A2 size sheet of white Perspex is ideal
• Surfaces to work on. This may include prepared paper, stretched canvas, canvas boards etc. Select the surfaces and sizes you wish to work on
• Rubber gloves
• A block of domestic soap, a plastic sauce container with a plastic lid and some jars and rags
• If you are interested in exploring collage in your work you may like to bring fixative, scissors, small bottle of PVA glue and collage/scrap materials such as fabric, coloured patterned paper, card, thin plywood.

The teacher will advise on additional materials as the course progresses. Art materials can be purchased at Parkers Art Supplies on campus at NAS.

Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus.