This course investigates the human figure in its structural, rhythmic sense and will assist artists in how view a finishing game differently by focusing on topographic, rhythmic lines and forms which are most effective when utilized near the end of a drawing.

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Learn the art of figure drawing using our step by step method. Beginner and advanced students will benefit from this drawing workshop. Students will be working directly from the nude using charcoal or carbon pencil. Senior ARA instructors will teach you the basics of gesture, proportion, and morphology. Finally finishing with big form and small form modelling. The end effect is a dramatic three dimensional figure.

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Now you can learn the training techniques of the masters. Artist and instructor Fernando Freitas shares his proven step-by-step instruction technique that has helped artists of all levels of experience master their drawing skills.

The Charles Bargue Drawing Course was developed and widely used in the mid 19th century as a foundation exercise for fine art training. Throughout the years it has been used by many great masters as an essential process in understanding the principles of shape, proportion, value and form.

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This new five-day workshop is designed for artists who want to learn the alla prima technique working from live models. Alla prima — which means "at once" — is a painting style that is done in a quickly-executed wet-into-wet fashion for faster results. Artists of all skill levels will have an opportunity to develop a good vocabulary for sketching from life, as well as delve into paint and brush handling for achieving a representational, realistic portrait in a more immediate way. Painters already using alla prima methods in other genres such as landscape will also benefit from this workshop.

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This new five-day workshop focuses on the fundamentals behind successful portrait drawing using dry media and different tones on paper. Emphasis is placed on the drawing "process" and what to look for at various stages in order to draw a portrait with accuracy and efficiency. This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience.

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Learn the art of figure drawing or painting using our step by step method. Beginner and advanced students will benefit from this workshop. Students will be working directly from the nude using charcoal or carbon pencil or oil paint. Senior ARA instructor Fernando Freitas will teach you the basics of gesture, proportion, and morphology. Finally finishing with big form and small form modelling. The end effect is a dramatic three dimensional figure.

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This new seven-day workshop focuses on creating a painted portrait using a photo reference (subject to instructor approval). Participants learn the key principles of what information to keep and what to omit, as well as covers such areas as form, value, shape and finished processes. Students of all levels are welcome. However, beginners will use a very limited palette while the more advanced students will use a broader palette. A handout will be provided prior to the start of the workshop to outline photo requirements.

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This new five-day workshop focuses on creating a painted portrait using a photo reference (subject to instructor approval). Participants learn the key principles of what information to keep and what to omit, as well as covers such areas as form, value, shape and finished processes. Students of all levels are welcome. However, beginners will use a very limited palette while the more advanced students will use a broader palette. A handout will be provided prior to the start of the workshop to outline photo requirements.

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Academy Director and Senior Instructor Fernando Freitas takes students through the stages of the Ingres approach to oil painting in this seven day workshop. Similar to the much-loved "In the Studios of the Old Masters" workshop, this program teaches the French Academic approach used by such artists as Jacques Louis David and his student Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. Working from a selected study, students learn the specific stepby- step process to achieve an exact copy, as well as gain a clear understanding of the principles of oil painting, and the best techniques and materials to use. This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience.

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Learn the art of figure drawing using our step by step method. Beginner and advanced students will benefit from this drawing workshop. Students will be working directly from the nude using charcoal or carbon pencil. Senior ARA instructors will teach you the basics of gesture, proportion, and morphology. Finally finishing with big form and small form modelling. The end effect is a dramatic three dimensional figure.

read more...

The goal of the workshop is to investigate the rendering techniques and drawing aesthetics of the French artist Pierre-Paul Prud'hon (1758-1823).
The wonderful effects of Pud'hon's black and white chalk figure drawings on toned paper will be explored through the execution of a 'faithful' copy. Students will learn how to prepare the drawing support through toning and antiquing the paper along with the manipulation of the black and white chalks (blending). Along with the acquisition of these rendering techniques, the process of copying one of Prud'hon' s drawings will underscore and reinforce the drawing principles of shape, proportion, value and form.

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The historic Boston Public Garden offers many scenic spots for this plein air landscape painting workshop. Each morning will begin with a demonstration of the day's activity – giving visual guidance in how to productively complete each day's objective. On day one students will select a spot and make a drawing and composition in grisaille. On the second day the composition will be finished using a full color palette. Issues to be discussed will include how to deal with changing light, atmospheric perspective and the retention of luminosity.

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This workshop offers insight into the Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, his life and working methodology. Working from high resolution copies of some of Rubens' paintings students will learn how to approach making a traditional oil painting. Students will be coached from the beginning drawing stage through to finished paint passages and work towards emulating the lush paint application of Rubens.

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This intensive, five-day still life workshop explores the use of light, colour, and texture in a style similar to the Dutch and Flemish masters. As students learn to paint a beautiful still life using classic methods, they are introduced to valuable Old Master concepts such as massing of tonal values, chiaroscuro, "selective focus", and layering to achieve a luminous picture.

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This extension of the Red Chalk Workshop allows students to choose between black chalk, red chalk, or silverpoint studies. While all three mediums explore similar visual phenomena, such as shadow or contour effect, each has its own individual characteristics. Black chalk offers an exceptional range of potentials of expression through a full light to dark register. Red chalk is more restricted in tonal gradation, lending itself to a more atmospheric presentation while demonstrating the sheer beauty of red on a warm tinted paper. Silverpoint (where one uses an actual piece of silver to draw) has minimal tonal range and is more suited to capturing nature almost exclusively through qualities of line. As linear expression is of paramount importance to all manners of drawing this workshop, using the most delicate of mediums, is advantageous to any artist in training.

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The Academy of Realist Art, Boston continues in the figure drawing tradition established by the 19th Century French Academy in Paris. In this ten day course, students will work from one pose and be taught the method used to draw the live model at ARA. Beginning in graphite, students complete a 'cartoon'. This is a preliminary drawing that establishes proportion, body type, gesture and the correct grouping of light and dark. This important phase creates a solid structure. Using a light table, students then transfer the cartoon to fresh paper and the drawing continues in charcoal where rendering techniques accurately capture delicacy of form and quality of flesh. Through the articulation of subtle plane changes and correct value assignments, the students finish a naturalistic and volumetric drawing. The instructor will provide individual critiques, demos and lectures.

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Academy Director and Senior Instructor Fernando Freitas takes students through the stages of the Tenebrist approach to oil painting in this seven day workshop. Similar to the much-loved "In the Studios of the Old Masters" workshop, this program teaches the chiaroscuro approach (which means light/dark, or light and shade) used by such artists as Rembrandt and Caravaggio. Working from a selected study, students learn the specific step-by-step process to achieve an exact copy, as well as gain a clear understanding of the principles of oil painting, and the best techniques and materials to use. This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience.

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Students will learn how to paint the figure in oil employing a limited palette. During the first week students will draw the figure in graphite to establishing accurate proportion, shapes of light and shade and structure. Once this "cartoon" is transferred to canvas a thin under-painting will be made. In the second week of the workshop students will be taught the fundamentals of form, color and light. Utilizing a limited palette will aid students understanding of how to conceptualize form by narrowing down the color choices. The students will gain a more profound knowledge of how to synthesize the colors on the palette with the form and light on the model.

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This extension of the Red Chalk Workshop allows students to choose between black chalk, red chalk, or silverpoint studies. While all three mediums explore similar visual phenomena, such as shadow or contour effect, each has its own individual characteristics. Black chalk offers an exceptional range of potentials of expression through a full light to dark register. Red chalk is more restricted in tonal gradation, lending itself to a more atmospheric presentation while demonstrating the sheer beauty of red on a warm tinted paper. Silverpoint (where one uses an actual piece of silver to draw) has minimal tonal range and is more suited to capturing nature almost exclusively through qualities of line. As linear expression is of paramount importance to all manners of drawing this workshop, using the most delicate of mediums, is advantageous to any artist in training.

read more...

This intensive, seven-day still life workshop explores the use of light, colour, and texture in a style similar to the Dutch and Flemish masters. As students learn to paint a beautiful still life using classic methods, they are introduced to valuable Old Master concepts such as massing of tonal values, chiaroscuro, "selective focus", and layering to achieve a luminous picture.

read more...

Students will compose, set up and complete a still life painting. Learning topics will include still life composition, paint handling, lighting, and oil painting techniques and materials. Brian will share his experiences on still life painting and how to overcome common difficulties that may occur during the process.

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This five-day workshop explores the fundamental principles needed to execute a comprehensive landscape painting. Working Plein Air, students will create a number of small painted works, analyzing principles such as structure, colour, light, and movement. This workshop is recommended for individuals with at least some background in oil painting.

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Learn the art of figure drawing using our step by step method. Beginner and advanced students will benefit from this drawing workshop. Students will be working directly from the nude using charcoal or carbon pencil. Senior ARA instructors will teach you the basics of gesture, proportion, and morphology. Finally finishing with big form and small form modelling. The end effect is a dramatic three dimensional figure.

read more...

Working with a live model, this seven-day workshop takes students step-by-step through a classic, wet-on-dry layering method to achieve a realistic portrait. Topics covered include composition, colour harmony, photography, studies, proportion, sketches, palettes and more. Much of what can be learned at this workshop can be applied to all areas of painting. This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience.

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Academy Director and Senior Instructor Fernando Freitas takes students through the stages of academic oil painting in this workshop. Working from a copy of an Old Master painting, participants will learn the specific step-by-step process to achieve an exact replica. This exercise helps them gain a clear understanding of the principles of oil painting, the best techniques, and which materials to use when. This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience.

read more...

This new five-day workshop is designed for artists who want to learn the alla prima technique working from live models. Alla prima — which means "at once" — is a painting style that is done in a quickly-executed wet-into-wet fashion for faster results. Artists of all skill levels will have an opportunity to develop a good vocabulary for sketching from life, as well as delve into paint and brush handling for achieving a representational, realistic portrait in a more immediate way. Painters already using alla prima methods in other genres such as landscape will also benefit from this workshop.

read more...