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Course
Description - OPEN AIR FUNDAMENTALS (Buonconvento/Montalcino, Tuscany)
The
basic premise upon which our core program “Fundamentals” is founded is
that open air painting presents unique physical challenges to the artist
in the fugitive quality of light and unpredictability of atmospheric
conditions that require a specific technical approach. Open air painting
is therefore a unique kind of painting.
The objective of this course is to present a framework and process
that will enable the student to compose, develop and complete a landscape
painting within a 2 hour period.
The didactic method advanced is based on the approach to paint that
emerged in the Roman countryside, the “Campagna”, in the 18th century
and theoretically codified in the writings of the French Neo-classical
painter Pierre Henri Valenciennes in his “Elements of Perspective”.
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Fundamentals is
a structured program suitable for artists of all levels and particularly
for those who have not had experience working directly outdoors.
It is in this class that we introduce the method that serves as the
frame of reference for our other two classes:
Elements of Landscape and the Roman Campagna.
Exercises will focus first on the manipulation of value as an
element in creating space in the landscape. Subsequently, color will be
introduced with a discussion of color contrast theory with emphasis on
aspects most relevant to landscape. The
technical focus will be color mixing, palette organization and paint
application. Instructors will
be present at all times to work with students.
Group critiques of work will take place each day. All painting
sessions are held in the outdoors, rain or shine.
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Lectures will be supported by the analysis of
reproductions of works of artists from the 17th century to the
present. The material
presented will be reinforced by two evening slide shows, “Nature as
Subject in Western Art - 1340 to the Present” and “Technical Aspects
of Landscape Painting”. The
history lecture focuses on the evolution of landscape in art and its
contribution to modern painting.
The techniques presentation explains pictorial effects through the
examination of unfinished paintings by landscape masters, and offers
formal analysis of works geared to benefit the painter.
The course includes a museum visit with lecture in the Palazzo
Pubblico in Siena. The lecture, “The Effects of Government” by Ambrogio
Lorenzetti, will analyze the famed fresco cycle from the point of view of
a landscape painter.
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accommodations, breakfast, 4 lunches, dinner, art instruction, most
materials, equipment, museum visit and excursions, and local
transportation to and from bus/train stations in Buonconvento.
Group Limit: 12 painters plus any accompanying
non-painters/cooks (see Tuscan Cooking Class).
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