Fall Term 2015

This October I returned to lovely Florence to continue my studies at the Florence Academy of Art. I apologize for a very late update, but I am slowly rediscovering just how rigorous and time-consuming the schedule is. But as the fall term is winding down, I’ve managed to find a few precious moments to catalog my experiences. So here at last is an extensive update, one long overdue:

My first two major projects were my final figure drawing in charcoal and my second cast painting. 

On the cast I tried my hand at limited palette, which consisted of the colors Ivory Black, Lead White, Yellow Ochre, and English Red. 

   

This is a step more complex than my previous cast painting, a Grisaille painting created using only white, black, and Raw Umber.  While a grisaille palette is designed to help students focus only on value-changes and slight temperature shifts, adding a red and yellow to my palette is a good way to transition into the complications of working with color.

I used this same palette for my figure painting. For my final cast, I used the full palette, making good use of the addition of Cobalt Blue on my background.

       

I also experimented with color for my final portrait in charcoal. My last two were drawn on Arches paper, toned grey. This time, I tinted the ink with a bit of raw sienna and red to get a warmer shade more reminiscent of skin tones.

"Portrait of Marco" (unfinished)

Portraits remain by far my favorite subject to work with. For me, they encompass a greater level of depth and psychological drama than a figure or still life can offer. This summer I had the pleasure of drawing a portrait of my grandfather Reverend R. Leroy Moser:

"Grandfather"

I look forward to next year when my studies will  have more of a focus on portraiture. Next time, I will be using paint!

"Portrait of Marco" (detail)

Twice a week I also attend the school’s evening drawing sessions, where I practice smaller figure drawings in pencil. This term there were also two themed evenings where the students experimented in new mediums, charcoal wipe-out drawings, and even pen!

   

Two additional classes I am taking this year are Ecorche and a Construction and Composition class. In the Ecorche class I tried my hand at sculpting for the first time, and over the course of the year will sculpt a skeleton, onto which I will build muscles. In the Construction and Composition class, we are learning how to compose a painting, and exploring the concepts of perspective, proportions, and light, with the aim of learning how to construct a figure from imagination. Although I prefer the experience of working from life, this course has taught me some of the most indispensable artistic lessons I have ever learned. One class was an all-day demo, in which the instructor completed an entire oil painting of a torso, completely from his imagination:

  

 Both of these classes have been entirely new experiences for me, and have helped greatly in better solidifying my understanding of drawing the human figure.

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Beautiful Italian olive grove

Outside of class, I’ve been feeding my artistic inspiration with the beauty of Italy. One day I tried my hand at olive picking, and another I went to the local Teatro Verdi to hear a performance of Beethoven and Brahms.

Also, Palazzo Strozzi held an exhibition which featured the works of artists such as Bouguereau, Ciseri, and Van Gogh, to name a few.

In awe before the presence of this perfect painting by Bouguereau.

  

And with one last charcoal sketch, the fall term is over.

As the term comes to a close, the city is preparing for Christmas. I celebrate winter break by visiting one of the local traditions, the Christmas Market, just in the square in front of Santa Croce.

Buon Natale! (Merry Christmas!)

Spring Term 2015

Spring Term 2015

Goodbye Dear Florence, until September!

With the arrival of summer, my second term at Florence Academy has come to an end, and I am now back home again in the United States.
I apologize for not posting an update sooner, this term was so busy I didn’t have time to update my blog on a regular basis. To make up for it I shall be posting updates about what I have learned in school periodically over the summer break.

Here are some of my works from this trimester (Please pardon the quality of images, most of these were taken from a phone, so I am including several images of some of the same pieces to show the full spectrum.)

Portrait of Alessio (unfinished)

My first cast painting, grisaille.

For my last two projects this term I began dabbling with paints. To transition smoothly from charcoal drawing to oil paints, they were done in grisaille, that is, using only three colors: white, black, and raw umber. The limitation to this monochromatic palette allows for focus on value-relationships and temperature without having to contend with the challenges of color.

My third long pose figure drawing, charcoal and white chalk.

 

My final cast drawing, done in charcoal and white chalk, Torso of Venus.

The sheer size of the drawing made this a lengthy project.

 

.Charcoal sketch, wipe-out method.

The idea behind the wipe-out method is to capture the large masses of the subject by laying down a layer of charcoal for the general dark masses and removing dust or "wiping out" for the light areas.

 

First long-pose figure painting, grisaille.

Over the summer I will go into detail about the making of each of these individual projects and what I have learned from them, as well as personal projects I am working on over the summer. 

Italian phrase of the day: "Buon Lavoro", "Good work". Italians use this phrase to wish someone the best while they work, just as they say "Buon Appetito" to wish someone a good meal. 

End Of Term Winter 2015

March 20^th marked the last day of classes for the winter term at FAA. Over the course of this term I have completed two figure drawings, two cast drawings, a portrait, as well as numerous pencil drawings, an ecorche drawing for my long pose, and some value studies in paint. Here are some of my works:

Here are all my works assembled and waiting for the final critique

 

Second Cast Drawing - "Michelangelo"

 

 

Second Long-Pose

Portrait

Value-studies in paint

my last pencil-drawing of the term

Next term I will work on another figure drawing and a complex cast, but, for now, I am enjoying spring break by sketching around this beautiful city!

Sketching at Ponte Vecchio

These last three months have been an amazing and enlightening experience. I am still in awe of how much this school has to offer, of all the incredible teachers and dedicated students, and of what an inspiring environment it is to learn in. Thank you again to all who helped make my attendance here possible!

Me and "Portrait of Jothi"

Italian word of the day: "Primavera", "Spring."