My classes place a heavy emphasis on a classical, traditional
understanding of the craft of drawing and painting. Students can expect
to learn clear, comprehensive principles and techniques that artists
have employed for centuries to create drawings and paintings that are
true to life.
I teach a number of classes through the University of Wisconsin - Madison Continuing Studies Department. For more information about the classes, visit the website.
Drawing 1
This 6-week class is suited for beginners and experienced artists
interested in strengthening their skills through a classical approach to
drawing. Demonstrations, drawing time, and individual critiques focus
on the fundamentals of proportion, gesture, abstract shapes, value, and
rendering form. We will also discuss materials and study
master drawings to understand their strengths and the techniques and
processes employed.
Throughout history, artists have understood that to become a skillful, proficient draftsman the copying of master paintings is an invaluable training tool in the development of an artist.
Museum copying gives students an opportunity to study brushwork and paint application, color decisions, edges, and form description in a museum setting. In partnership with the UW-Madison Chazen Museum of Art, students spend 8 weeks copying a portion or all of a painting.
Topics discussed will include paint handling, munsell color theory, block-in, accurate drawing, edge control, composition, understanding form, lighting, and good studio practice. Beginners through advanced are welcome to attend.
Traditional Portrait Drawing
Drawing and painting from life presents a myriad of both benefits and challenges not present when working from photography. Additionally, drawing the portrait presents its own unique set of difficulties. This workshop will focus on a traditional, classical approach to portrait drawing from a live model over the course of 2 days.
Topics covered will include drawing in a linear mode, proportion, perspective, thinking sculpturally, anatomy and facial structure, and understanding light phenomena. Beginners through advanced are welcome to attend.
I teach a number of classes through the University of Wisconsin - Madison Continuing Studies Department. For more information about the classes, visit the website.
Drawing 1
Drawing 2
Continue building on classical foundations in drawing. In this 8-week
class learn to see and understand the visual experience and how to
translate that to paper. Topics include drawing in a linear mode,
proportions, perspective, thinking sculpturally, and understanding light
phenomena. In this comprehensive approach, students will draw from
antique plaster casts in the tradition of the masters. Prerequisite:
Drawing 1.
Drawing the Figure
The human figure is an ideal substrate for the study of many drawing
concepts. This 8-week class covers fundamental concepts such as
proportion, gesture, perspective, value, anatomy, figure structure, and
light phenomena. Classes begin with a demonstration and proceed with
individual critiques of both short and long poses. Additional topics
include looking at master drawings and in-process works, with a
discussion of their strengths, differences, and the procedures employed
to create them.
Museum Copying at the Chazen
Throughout history, artists have understood that to become a skillful, proficient draftsman the copying of master paintings is an invaluable training tool in the development of an artist.
Through imitation and repetition, one is able to better understand how the masters solved the same problems that we as artists are confronted with today.
Museum copying gives students an opportunity to study brushwork and paint application, color decisions, edges, and form description in a museum setting. In partnership with the UW-Madison Chazen Museum of Art, students spend 8 weeks copying a portion or all of a painting.
School of the Arts in Spring Green
This summer I will be teaching two workshops in the School of the Arts in beautiful Spring Green, Wisconsin. The school is housed in the Wyoming Valley Cultural Arts Center, a Frank Lloyd Wright building, and is around the corner from Taliesin, the architect's studio and home. For more information about these workshops, or to register, visit The School of the Arts in Spring Green.
Alla Prima Painting: The Portrait Sketch
This workshop will explore a simple, straightforward approach to
oil painting through the execution of a portrait in the alla prima
fashion. Although the class is grounded in the classical tradition,
these principles will be employed in a loose, quick, sketchy approach.
Topics discussed will include paint handling, munsell color theory, block-in, accurate drawing, edge control, composition, understanding form, lighting, and good studio practice. Beginners through advanced are welcome to attend.
Traditional Portrait Drawing
Drawing and painting from life presents a myriad of both benefits and challenges not present when working from photography. Additionally, drawing the portrait presents its own unique set of difficulties. This workshop will focus on a traditional, classical approach to portrait drawing from a live model over the course of 2 days.
Topics covered will include drawing in a linear mode, proportion, perspective, thinking sculpturally, anatomy and facial structure, and understanding light phenomena. Beginners through advanced are welcome to attend.