Intimate Narrative

Working directly from the live model, this course will integrate the physical nature of paint with the intimate essence of the human body. 

The goal is to create a painting that carries meaning beyond the mere representation of the figure.  A variety of traditional and contemporary painting methods will be covered to aid in understanding and expanding visual language. Students will be guided through a series of formal studies while encouraged to explore experimentation and spontaneity. Creating a good composition, cropping and figure ground relationships will be emphasized. 

The student will gain a clear understanding of color and tonal relationships while strengthening realistic figure proportions and anatomy.  

Q&A

Q: Can I make up a class if I miss one? 
A: No, there are no makeup classes. Because art is taught with demonstrations and demonstrations are time consuming, if one person misses the class each week, the instructor would spend the first part of each class repeating the demonstration from last week before moving on to the next lesson, which isn't fair to the students who attended. That said, most of our classes are taught atelier style. If there is a demonstration during the particular session, after the demonstration, the instructor goes to each student to work with them on a one-on-one basis. During this time, the instructor can work with you if you missed the previous week to talk and explain what to do.

Q: Are materials provided and included in the cost of the class? 
A: No. Supply list include:

• 3 Stretched and primed Canvas or panel sizes 18 x 24, 24 x 30 or square 24 x 24, 30 x 30” sizeswhite artist tape
• Gesso
• Palette (disposable palettes, preferably “Grey Matters” brand)
• Saran Wrap
• Medium sized metal Palette knife of choice (NO plastic!)
• Rubber scrapper, “Catalyst” by Princeton. Size 15 or 30, #B-06
• Viva paper towels
• ODORLESS Turpenoid- NOT Turpenoid Natural! (NO regular turpentine!!!)
• Walnut oil
• Containers for thinner and oil
• Palmolive soap
• Stay wet palette or ziplock freezer bags
• View finder (DaVinci artist view finder or home made cardboard view finder is fine)

BRUSHES: A variety of soft, sable, bristle, rounds, filberts, and flats in small and medium sizes *I prefer filbert sablesand bristle the most. Have a few round brushes for “drawing” and details.
Recommended brushes:

• Raphael Kevrin Sables: Filberts. Brush sizes 4 through 12
• Raphael Kevrin Sables: Rounds. Brush sizes 0 through 12
• Raphael Red Sables: Filberts. Brush sizes 4 through 12
• Silver Bristlon: Flats and Filberts. Brush sizes 0 through 10
• WIndsor and Newton Monarch: Filberts and Rounds. Brush sizes 0 through 10

OIL PAINTS
Must Have:

• *ivory black
• *ultramarine blue
• *cerelean blue hue
• *phthalo green
• *sap green
• *Titanium white
• *yellow ochre (Gamblin or Georgian)
• *burnt umber
• *flesh ochre (Old Holland brand)
• *permanent alizarin crimson
• *cadmium red
• *cadmium yellow light
• *cadmium orange

Acceptable Oil paint brands: 

• Gamblin
• Williamsburg
• Old Holland

***PREPARE FOR FIRST CLASS: Primed canvas or panel (3-4 coats gesso, sand between layersfor smooth surface). Allow a day to fully dry. Next, apply a thin layer of yellow ochre mixed with alittle turpentine. Then lightly wipe out with paper towel or rag for a smooth, thin “golden” layerfor under painting. Allow at least two days to dry and bring to first class.