Portrait

Workshop in Portraiture in Florence , Italy

September, 5 –September, 23, 2011

The program develops through 6 steps each consisting of various activities and lessons as following.

Step 1
Morning (painting): Tonal painting in grisaille (umbra and white) on canvas.
Afternoon (drawing): Analytical drawing of the head and skull. Parts of the face (David) plaster casts will be used for these classes. There will be delivered a lecture on the Constructive drawing during the first hour of the afternoon classes.

Step 2
Morning (painting): Copying the Great Masters' works. This method was worked out by Jan van Eyck and is based on the using of the cross hatching and the glazing.
Afternoon (drawing): Drawing the human head from life in various lighting conditions (direct light, side light and counter light) using soft drawing materials. Homework: copying the Old Masters' works.

Step 3
Drawing the human head from different angles and positions using soft pencils and graphite.

Step 4
Morning (painting): Performing portrait in oil (multi-session painting).
Afternoon (drawing): Drawing the arms and hands from different positions from live models and skeletons.

Step 5
Morning (painting): Painting theme portrait at arms length in oil (painting from live models dressed in custom and period garments).
Afternoon (drawing): Drawing portrait at arms length (graphic materials).