Mixed media summer camp

Methodology: 

I learnt the Sight-size method at the Florence  Academy of Art and I still refer to it today and use it when working on  portraits, figures, interior compositions and even landscape painting.  

In  my class the students will be encouraged to learn and use the  sight-size method of measurement, which trains the eye to view the  subject with accuracy in order to reproduce it successfully. Throughout  the course, students will apply primarily this method of measurement but  not only, also the traditional comparative method can and will be used.  I believe that our instinct is the most important impulse when  confronted with nature. The students will sketch the whole figure based  first on gesture, then will focus on correct accuracy of shapes and  proportions by slowly studying the figure from inside out, following all  the nuances of the center line and body type to create a solid out  line. Also the student will be asked to identify and establish crucial  anatomical landmarks necessary to produce a strong believable figure. If  students have no previous artistic anatomy knowledge, this won’t  present a problem as I will introduce slowly and with ease the main  bones an d muscles with out getting too clinic about it.  

I  believe this hybrid method allows the student the certainty of  proportion through measurement (sight size-Comparative method) and  construction (center line) while giving them the freedom for expression  (gesture). 

The same methodology will be applied in (for) figure painting even portraiture. 

Figure drawing in charcoal. 

Goals: 

This  course will focus on the pleasure of drawing and the artistic analysis  of the human figure. Not only gesture and line quality will be the main  goal of this class but also value organization, contrast and atmosphere.  

Students will produce a figure with good proportions, gesture and sense of light and space. 

As both an artist and an instructor, I have found this method very  successful and that is why I am proposing it for your students. 

For figure drawing students will need: 

Vine or willow soft Charcoal.  

Medium and hard charcoal. 

Compressed charcoal can also be use.  

2 full sheets of Canson or Roma Paper (light gray) Mirror, plumb line. Gum eraser 

A homework assignment will be given prior to starting as preparation for the workshop.  

Procedure Drawing: 

Block-in  Gesture and Proportion: Soft willow charcoal. Sight-size and or  comparative check of proportions. Establish center-line. 

Keying the values: diving light from shadow. Filling up the Background, value relationship. 

Rendering: Introducing medium and hard charcoal for rendering lights and halftones. 

Figure Painting 

Goals: 

For  figure painting while the drawing approach remains the same,  color-value, direct painting application and sense of light will be  stressed.  

Procedure Painting: 

Underpainting: Establish the drawing with Grisaille. Wipe-out. 

Block-in: separate light and shadow and background 

Planes: introduction of values. 6 values from white to black.  

Rendering: Edge quality, color and sense of light.