New York Academy of Art

This class is an exploration of indirect, multi-layered painting techniques as well as learning how to get the most out of a muted, limited, color palette - a practice in old masters’ techniques using mostly the earth pigments available to them. Students will learn how much subtlety and color manipulation can be achieved through a thoughtful use of pigments that might appear as limiting at first. Starting with a practice of the wipe-out technique with charcoal in the first session, we will move on to a 5-week-long pose with a live model and a variety of props, with every step explained from start to finish. Starting from a monotone imprimatura, going through a variety of glazes and scumbles (transparent and opaque paint applications), every student will leave with a fully developed piece. Through a series of lectures, demonstrations, group and personal critiques, and practice, topics such as the relativity of color, its value and temperature, the strategic approach to a creation of a layered painting, will be discussed. Additional topics such as canvas preparation, proper documentation of the artwork, and something as both simple and confusing as reading the pigment labels, will be covered too.