Course in classical painting techniques

Many painters, at a certain point in their development, want to enrich their skills and techniques to better be able to express themselves and want to learn something about classical painting techniques. There are many classical painting techniques, but it is very difficult to find a course that offers a broad and yet profound inroad into this. The course classical painting techniques is however such a course. In one weekend you can learn a series of classical painting techniques that can truly enrich your personal “palette”. It includes such things as marbling, Trompe l ´oeil and 3D effects, the placing of light and shadow, the use of oil-paint and glazes, how to make cheap painting mediums, how to quickly set up skies and landscapes, the mixing of pigments and much more. The course will be intense, yet enjoyable and take place in a fantastic atelier / gallery in the midst of Copenhagen. The course will be conducted in English and / or Danish, according to need.

Program of the course:

Friday evening 18.00-22.30 hrs:

Welcome and introduction of the course. Preparing and grounding a series of wooden plates for marbling and Trompe L´oeil effects and for portraits. Something about pigments, tempera and oil techniques, how to make one’s own paints, painting mediums and glazes, the techniques of masters as Leonardo da Vinci, Johannes Vermeer and Jan van Eyck. Applying marble effect on the first wooden plate.

 

Saturday 10.00-17.30 hrs:
On the wooden plate that has been marbled in which a square space has been spared out in the middle, we now start to paint a landscape. Demonstration of how to quicly set up skies and a landscape and how to apply still-life elements in one´s paintings including placing of light and shadow. Practice and application.

Introduction and demonstration of marbling techniques, Carrara (white) marble and Vert du Mer (greenish) marble.
Practice and application of these techniques on the wooden grounded plates (61 by 61 cm)

Lunch: 13.00-13.45 hrs.

Continuation of marbling Carrara and Vert du Mer. A demonstration of the painting technique of Leonardo da Vinci, the “Sfumato” technique. Painting a portrait in the “Sfumato” technique on a wooden plate with ochre underground.

(Photo of Mona Lisa: img_1885.jpg)
 

Saturday evening 19.00-22.30 hrs:

Extra: The deeper meaning and influence of colour

For those that want to there will be an extra opportunity to engage in a process about the deeper meaning of colour and influence. For many years I have been working with the influence of colours and have lectured about this on an international basis, here in Denmark as an example in Byggecentrum, Aalborg design akademiet, NESA. In 2002 and 2003 I organized two exhibitions on Illum on the influence of colour to which 30.000 visitors came. Apart from this I developed with two companions a colour test for Dyrup in which human qualities are linked up with colour nuances. This colour test came out on the market in Denmark, Norway, France and Germany. Further I have written many articles on colour for magazines.

This evening on the influence of colour will take you through a power point presentation into the meaning and influence of specific colours, colour nuances and colour combinations. It will show how certain colour combinations can be used to promote specific effects and qualities such as inspiration, communication, decision-making and so forth. It will show how a conscious knowledge of what colour does can help you to strengthen the message you want to express in your artwork.

Apart from this we will not only talk about colour but experience it as well. Different coloured light will be projected in the room in which you are asked to experience what the effect of colour is.  A personal colour test will also help you to find out what colour-type you are, and what this tells about your strengths and weaknesses and the way you express yourself.

To this evening you are also welcome to bring guests. The entrance fee for guests will be 200 Dkr.

Sunday: 10.00- 17.00 hrs.

Applying glazes to the Vert du Mer marbled wooden plates. Demonstrations of how to quickly create 3D illusions with light and shadow on the marbled plate with the landscape. Applying a glaze to the landscape painting with the still-life objects. Working further on the still-life objects. Working further on the portrait in the “Sfumato” technique. Applying cold and warm glazes.

Lunch 13.00-13.45 hrs.

Working further on the portrait and still-life landscape painting. 15.30 hrs. Cleaning up. 16.00 hrs. Evaluation of the produce of the weekend.

Costs:
The cost of the whole course will be 2700 Dkr. This includes two lunches, coffee and tea during the whole weekend, materials such as wooden plates, grounding paint, sandpaper and tape and painting medium. Oil paint pigments can be bought, if necessary, during the course.

What to bring:
Turpentine, brushes in all different sizes, especially fitted for fine work. Oil paints such as ivory black, titan white, ochre, dark aquamarine blue, umbra, cadmium red and cadmium yellow, Verdian green and Italian red. Cloth to clean brushes, Different cans and tins for turpentine and glazes. Pencils, cutting knife, scissor, measure stick or ruler. A good, sharp photo of a face you want to paint as a portrait.

For those that want to they can buy a “grævlingehårfordriver” for approximately 420 Dkr. This brush is an absolute must for those people that want to continue to work with classical painting techniques after the course. It is an indispensable tool for marbling and applying glazes. This brush can be bought in any good shop specialised in artist materials. A good shop in Copenhagen is Københavns Farvehandel in Badstue Stræde. If treated well, this brush can last a lifetime and I absolutely recommend investing in it.

 

Application and information:

Courses will take place a few times each year, depending on the amount of applicants. Each course will only start with a minimum of six and a maximum of twelve participants. A deposit of 500 Dkr. is asked for which will not be refunded in case of absence. It is good to reserve a place in due time. Phone or mail me for more information, when the next course is planned, how to pay and any other things you might have questions about.

NEXT PLANNED COURSES 2007:
1) April Fri.14th, Sat.15th, Sun.16th
2) June Fri.1st, Sat.2nd, Sun.3th
3) Aug Fri.31st, Sept Sat.1st, Sun.2nd
4) Okt Fri 19th, Sat.20th, Sun.21st

Looking forward seeing you;

Mark Stolk