About
this course
General Description
The Introduction to Figure Painting workshop is a highly-focused two-week course designed to give students a thorough understanding of the methods and processes required to paint the live model in oils. Students will work from the live model, producing two complete figure paintings and exploring each step of the painting process, from initial drawing, to under-painting, color study and the complete painting.
Guided by demonstrations of each stage and individual personal critique, students will begin by learning how to accurately 'block-in' the live model with an emphasis on gesture, proportion, and overall design. The focus will then turn to learning how to capture the color, value and atmospheric effects of nature in a color study and how to efficiently prepare a color palette to translate the color sketch to the larger painting.
The system and methods of the sight-size process will be taught and utilized, with its focus on the optical impression and the harmonization of details and accents into the 'big effect'.
This workshop includes two guided tours of museums led by its resident Art Historian, with entrance fees included in the tuition. Museum visits are scheduled on Thursdays followed by independent studio time. Providing a rich and fulfilling educational experience in Florence, the combination of intensive studio practice and guided museum visits aims to substantially enhance participants' skills in figure painting.
Beginning – Intermediate – Advanced levels welcome.
Maximum enrollment 10 students.
Additional Info
WORKSHOP CREDITS: 2 per session
Please note: The Florence Academy of Art expresses workshop coursework in credits to the equivalent of 1 credit for 20 hours of completed study. Academic grades are not awarded and there are no exams. Please see each course for total hours of study. Any final acceptance or recognition of hours of study or credits for workshop (external activity) is at the discretion of the Home University or institution in question and in accordance with each institution's transfer policy.
Museum Visits & Independent Studio Time:
Thursdays are dedicated to scheduled museum visits and independent studio time. During studio time students continue to work individually on their projects. Where possible, museum visits are scheduled on Thursday morning. Due to availability these may also be scheduled at other times. Confirmed dates/times will be communicated before the start of the workshop.
Medium & Materials
Oil paint
Students receive a list of materials required for the workshop in their acceptance email. Unless indicated, materials are not included in the tuition fee and may be purchased in advance and at a discounted rate directly from the Florentine art supply store, Zecchi. Students will find their supplies waiting for them in their studio upon arrival in Florence.
Estimated cost of materials: starting from approx. Euro 350.
Overall costs will vary depending on selected brand, and/or supplier.
What's Included
- 48 hours instruction in English
- Individual critiques
- Two primed canvases
- Discounted art supplies
- 2 guided museum visits with the Academy´s resident Art Historian
- Access to the Certificate Program Anatomy course and Art History lectures during the workshop period (when available during the Academic Year, October – June)
- Extended access to the studios and school facilities after class (4pm until 9 pm)
- Accomodation & housing information
Faculty
Cornelia Hernes, a Norwegian-born artist, has throughout her career gravitated towards rendering the human form and emotive expressions in the genres of portraiture and mythological motifs. In addition she has a particular affection for the soulful and atmospheric qualities in the genre of still lifes. Cornelia earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts from The University of Victoria, BC, Canada in 2003, which exposed her to the paradigms of conceptual art. In the summer months of 2002-2004 she studied with the renowned artist Odd Nerdrum in Norway. Following her BFA degree, she pursued a classical realist art education from The Florence Academy of Art in Italy. This pivotal training resonated with her intrinsic interest in classical art. From 2007-2020 Cornelia was a Principal Instructor at The Florence Academy of Art branches in Italy, Sweden and in USA consecutively. In 2018 Cornelia transitioned into online art education, extending her vast artistic experience to a global audience of artists at all levels. After many years living abroad Cornelia now reside in Åsgårdstrand, Norway.
See more of Cornelia's work on Instagram: @corneliahernesartwork
Per Olav Olsen is a classically trained visual artist and instructor specializing in classical figurative painting and drawing. He received his education from the renowned Florence Academy of Art, graduating in 2005 after completing a four-year painting program. With over 20 years of experience in painting and drawing, Olsen is one of Norway's most experienced instructors within a tradition that has relatively few professional practitioners in the country. He also served for several years as a permanent faculty member and department head at The Florence Academy of Art in Florence. He is based in Verdal, where he runs Per Olav Olsen Studio—an atelier dedicated to classical figurative fine art and art education.
See more of Per Olav's work at www.perolavolsen.com or @perolavolsenstudio
Location
ADDRESS: Via Fratelli Bandiera 7r (red), Florence, Italy
This course will be conducted in our studio located on Via Fratelli Bandiera, 7r, ("r" indicates a red number – our building is towards the end of the street, next to the building at number 35).
