Class Purpose
Traditional skills are necessary for developing the foundational base for the artist to work from. It is craftsmanship that opens the door to effective self-expression.
What the class includes are ways of approaching problems through analytical reasoning using basic techniques. It engenders camaraderie, respect for the profession and a sense of kinship borne out of meeting common problems. Some beginners find it hard to begin when faced with the blank canvas, so a friendly word from a neighboring student can push them gently forward. All you need is the desire to create incredible works of art!
Not a beginner? That’s ok. Just reviewing the basics is always a good way to re-start the "creative jucies". Frequent class discussions about what we feel about what we see adds another dimention to the creative process.
Good realism is more than merely copying what is in front of you; to be successful it requires the ability to understand and interpret the subject matter . The class will present, to artists of all levels, a uniquely simple and logical approach to painting still-life, portrait and the figure in oil. The methodologies that have guided master artists for hundreds of years will be emphasized, and you will learn the time-honored techniques that have served as the backbone for some of the greatest paintings ever created.
Working in the Traditional Realism style we strive to develop the ability to create a believable three-dimensional illusion on a two-dimensional surface. The goal is to master the skills necessary to achieve artistic excellence according to the established standards of the profession.
The great traditions of Western art provided a vital and cogent means of expression.