This is a beginning painting course. Through a series of
exercises and assignments, the basic issues of painting are explored:
color, light and dark structure, form, light, movement, material
process, and most especially, the creation of coherent pictorial space
and the articulation of a pictorial idea. Painting from direct
observation, including from the nude, is the traditional basis for
training the artist’s eye and hand. Thus the initial painting problems
are based on working from direct observation, including the classic
genres of still-life, figure study, interior, landscape, and
self-portrait.
An attempt is made to create an atmosphere of study
and experimentation, that is, working with a certain humility and
patience in front of an objective reality. The aim is to understand and
to discover, rather than simply to follow the traditional steps of an
academic regime. Students should leave the course with a new
understanding of traditions and problems in painting, and with the basic
tools to discover personal approaches and solutions.
Students are at all times encouraged to find their
own, individual approaches, and no particular style is promoted. Much of
the actual painting activity takes place outside of class time, either
in the studio at school or at home. Slides of paintings from diverse
historical periods are shown, and visits to exhibitions are scheduled,
in order to help students familiarize themselves with various painting
traditions. Group critiques help students develop a language for
discussing their own paintings and those of others.
The beginning of the course is devoted to a study
of the perceptual aspects and material manipulation of color.
Subsequent painting assignments are based on working from direct
observation. Visits to art exhibitions will be scheduled. Students
should create at least four paintings, from the following categories:
still life study, figure study, interior study, landscape or cityscape,
portrait or self-portrait.
Additional information:
1. The course involves working from direct observation. Working from photographs is not permitted.
2. The course may include some slide lectures and museum visits.
3. The core activity is painting directly from
observation. You will not be able to meet the requirements of the course
without working many more hours outside of class than in class.
4. You may need to do preparatory drawings as part of the process of making a painting.
5. The course is meant to be a framework allowing
very free individual artistic choices. The four assignments listed are
meant to help students get started. There is always leeway for
alternatives, with consultation. Interesting variations could include
making a very large-scale work, working collaboratively, or creating a
narrative cycle of works, or working abstractly.
6. Students must come to class on time, because
announcements, assignments, brief slide lectures, discussions, etc. take
place at the beginning of the class.
7. Students need to be attentive to basic
rules--which will be explained--for safety, housekeeping, good manners,
etc. in the studio space, which is shared by many.
Materials:
The basic medium for painting remains oil paint on
canvas, and for drawing, charcoal or graphite on paper, although
latitude is left to individual choice. Students buy their own art
supplies. A list of materials will be given at the first class meeting.
There is no textbook.
Art supply stores: Poggi (two locations, one in Trastevere
on Via Merry del Val, just off Viale Trastevere, and the other on Via
Pie’ di Marmo, near the Pantheon), Arte Tre, Via del Fiume near Via
Ripetta and the Piazza del Popolo, and Vertecchi, a chain with many
branches, including one near Piazza di Spagna.