Art classes: Drawing and Painting techniques

The complete course in Art is divided into 9 units (from unit A to unit I) and lasts 9 months. Students are however welcome to attend specific parts of the course (minimum 1 week). Courses normally start on the days specified in the school entry dates and take place in the afternoon, Monday through Thursday. On Friday open Art studio from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

All of our teachers are highly qualified and experts in the various disciplines and techniques such as classical drawing, oil painting, watercolour and fresco.

The lessons are integrated with conversations on art history and guided visits to the most important monuments in Florence. In order to ensure the highest quality of tuition, the number of students will not exceed 10 per group.

The first units introduce basic drawing and painting techniques while the following units aim at developing and improving students artistic skills. At the end of these nine units students will have acquired the basic knowledge required towards the making of their personal portfolios and will concentrate on the study of one specific technique

At the end of these nine units students will have acquired the basic knowledge required towards the making of their personal portfolios and concentrate on the study of one specific technique.

At the end of the academic year an Art exhibition will be organized for all the students who have attended the entire Art course.

The teacher will evaluate the students’ skills at the beginning of each unit and help them to establish their objectives. Each unit lasts 4 weeks, for a total amount of 56 hours (inclusive of 8 hours of living models).

Units

A. Basic Drawing Techniques I
An introduction to the basic drawing techniques (line, design and "chiaroscuro") through which students will learn how to reproduce an object on paper, according to its natural shape and proportions. Students will practise with graphite and charcoal. No specific artistic skills or background are required.
 
B. Basic Drawing Techniques II
This unit includes the acquisition of notions of anatomy and the methodology traditionally used to draw bodies and faces. Students will practise also with sanguine, pen-and-ink, pastel crayon.
   
C. Drawing from life I
In-depth study of the skills acquired in the first two units, especially the chiaroscuro technique, including the basics of shading and perspective. Classes will take place also in the squares and in the museums of Florence.

D. Drawing from life II
This unit deals with visual understanding by direct observation of the human body and it concentrates on the methodology used to draw bodies and faces. On every session students will draw from either female or male models posing in the nude. Quick poses will aim at teaching the sketch technique while longer poses will intend to develop the study of anatomy and of shades as well as the student’s observation abilities.
     
E. Basic Painting Techniques I
This unit focuses on the rudiments of the colour theory and the practice of various techniques, such as acrylic, tempera and pastel painting and the light-colour effects on a body or on drapery.

F. Basic Painting Techniques II
In-depth study of the skills acquired in unit E, especially the tempera technique, Students will also learn how to emphasise or fade the brightness of the colours of different objects and the effects of light on metal, glass, etc.
     
G. Advanced Painting Techniques I
An approach to some traditional painting techniques, i.e. oil and watercolour, including an introduction to their history and applications.
   
H. Advanced Painting Techniques II
An introduction to different fresco techniques. Students will practice painting on plaster or approach to bas-relief.
     
I. Towards the making of a Personal Portfolio
An in-depth study of one or more techniques which every student can choose to focus on. Students will search for a personal style.