One-day still-life studies

This class will be focused on one-day oil studies of still lifes in color. The student will begin each class with a quick 20-minute sketch of the still life in paint. The remainder of the day will be focused on color mixing, application, and manipulation of paint on the canvas using brushes or palette knives. Each week will be a new still-life setup in order to study new textures, colors and shapes. Studies, especially done in color paint, are the basis of all finished works. This class attempts to give the student more confidence in applying paint to a surface, relieving the fear of making mistakes in paint by making those mistakes and then correcting them. Only through experimentation with application of paint on the canvas do we learn to create different effects. We will also focus on quick adjustments to value, color, and drawing with differing brushes and mixing color on the palette or directly on the canvas. Some experience in drawing is recommended as much of the class will be in paint application and not perfection of drawing skills. All levels are welcome! This class will not be focused on completing a refined, finished piece but for practice, exploration and fun! This class will use only oil paint and not other mediums. Email Cassandra Ronning at cassandra.ronning@gmail.com for questions and suggested supply list.

Steven will discuss both an analytical and emotive approach to painting the human figure with an emphasis on color and value relationships in a related atmosphere. The class will consist of a model pose in both cool and warm light. The development of form through observation and interpretation of plane shifts projecting and receding from the eye will be stressed.

Aspects of anatomy, proportion, and movement will be discussed along with the development of an Alla Prima technique that involves both scumbling and glazing. Learning to see is a selective endeavor. Understanding is an extension of our mind's eye. We will look at color as value and temperature as form.

There will be two models in one long pose. Steven will set up one in cool light and the other in warm light and discuss different lighting situations. Students will be able to choose to paint the portrait or the clothed figure.

The course will involve lectures, discussion of materials demos and critiques, on a daily basis. The artist talk or lecture will run in tandem with workshop and will be focused on the same subject matter as workshop.

This listing is for the lecture/demo only. See also: Constructing A Figure Painting - Color as Form (Full Workshop)

The artist talk or lecture will run in tandem with workshop and will be focused on the same subject matter as workshop.

Experience our full-time program in a week-long workshop.

Students begin by drawing a plaster cast or still life in charcoal, developing their ability to render accurate proportions and value relationships. As students progress, they are introduced to the fundamentals of oil and/or pastel techniques, composition and color.

Experience our full-time program in a week-long workshop.

Life drawing is at the core of any serious program of fine arts. In the class, students draw from the figure in pencil. Each drawing is created over a period of several sessions, developing the student's eye for accurate proportions, gesture and anatomy.

This workshop introduces and builds upon the essential principles of color study and their practical application in painting. Through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, students will deepen their understanding of how to observe, interpret, and utilize color relationships with greater sensitivity and accuracy to reflect the lighting condition, the complexion of the model and the environment. While principles regarding tonal relationship will be discussed as well, the primary focus of the workshop is the effective use of a chromatic palette.

Instruction is tailored to each student's skill level rather than following a fixed schedule. While individualized guidance is central to the course, this workshop is best suited for students with drawing foundation.

Model poses will range from 1 to 6 hours in the beginning of the workshop and will end with a 2-3 day pose. This workshop is ideal for students with basic drawing experience who are ready to deepen their understanding of color.

Demonstration for Color Study & Figure Painting Workshop

Bring More Expressive Energy into Your Work

"Good paintings always exude an energy that flows from a harmonious balance of contrasts." -Hongnian Zhang

What is it that gives great paintings their startling impact—their “Chi”? The energy in master paintings flows from the artist's understanding of instinct and exaggeration. Exaggeration is personal and intuitive, and can be a frightening idea for a classically trained painter. Yet this elusive, instinctive Chi is intimately tied to the quality of experience we artists offer our viewers!

As an artist who also teaches, Mary has felt compelled to understand and explain this phenomenon. This search has led her to study with Chinese master artists, Zhang WenXin and Jove Wang; to excursions with Jove to China, Europe, and Russia. Jove introduced her to the idea of “Chi” in great paintings. It is he who convinced her we cannot “get there” through technique and reason alone; we must understand, develop, and employ our intuitive, inward vision.

In this demonstration and lecture Mary will share her journey and takeaways thus far as she moves closer to understanding what actually makes a masterpiece.

All levels welcome.