What you will learn
The disciplines of classical drawing and painting are closely related, and both disciplines are taught during the course. In a way, painting is really an extension of drawing, adding some more aspects to the process of visually interpreting reality – a process that you will focus entirely on, while taking this course. But painting from life is so much more than creating a flat copy of something three-dimensional.
Below is a short reflection by the teachers, providing an insight into their thoughts upon what, to them, the act of painting from life means:
The invention of the photo camera pushed painting as an artistic genre into seeking new territories. What had actually happened? From being a form of document representing the physical properties of people or events, painting was challenged to address the metaphysics of existence instead.
Now, since established, conventional reality can be represented by a photograph, the painting has to address the ultimate. That shift, which happened somewhere between the 19th and 20th centuries, still has a great philosophical impact on the modern state of the arts and what we call art these days.
Both photographs and paintings are forms of reflection. There is a certain trend these days to paint based on the image in a photo, rather than the object itself: to reflect upon the reflection. That creates a great deal of confusion and stress, but most importantly, devalues artistic research, turning the divine process of observation into blind coping.
The goal of this painting course is the opposite. We embrace the changing nature of things. We do not object to subtle shifts of the live model's hand, or a change of light in a still life, we embrace those movements, because they are the beacons of life, her celebrations. And that is exactly what we, as painters, are after. The painting creates an illusion: An illusion of movement in a static image. The illusion of depth in a flat image. In order to achieve that illusion, a mere copy, which is highly praised amongst amateurs, is not an option. In order to reveal the essence of nature, and its forms, one has to be utterly present as one moves through an unknown terrain, where every step has to be taken with great awareness.
Structure
There will be a mix of lectures, individual guidance and study time, where you work on your drawings or paintings, processing feedback and information from the teachers. Extra work outside of class hours is to be expected. Your class hours are normally 9-12 and 13-15, Fridays 9-12.
Target group
The course is for students who are interested in learning the craft of classical drawing and painting. Experience with classical drawing and painting is an advantage, but also applicants with experience in other art fields or applicants with limited experience are encouraged to apply, if they are motivated to work hard to learn this craft.
However, if drawing is entirely new to you, please see TDA Classical & Visual Storytelling Foundation instead.