The art curriculum we use follows a sequence that builds on each foundational skill: DRAWING, VALUE, AND COLOR.
Individuals work at their own pace.
Some individuals will move quickly through the curriculum, some will move more slowly. Don't worry about the pace, focus on mastery. It's important that you feel confident in each new skill as you go.
1. DRAWING SKILLS:
Before you paint with a brush, you must learn to draw, as painting is just "drawing with a brush." The drawing course will help you to "see" like an artist.
Great artists are masters of observation. You will train your eye using tools that will refine your DRAWING SKILLS first. You will learn to see proportion and the relationships between objects. You will learn how to sketch using charcoal pencils.
2. VALUE/TONE
The difference between a novice and a master artist is the ability to read and demonstrate value in their artwork.
You will learn to see VALUE and practice drawing three dimensional objects using vine charcoal.
3. OIL PAINT
Then you learn to OIL PAINT! You will begin painting in sepia tones and white oil paint using three dimensional objects found in the art studio. You will train your eye to see values as you paint realistic black and white paintings.
4. COLOR THEORY
Color theory includes learning hue, saturation, complementary colors and color schemes. Using red, yellow, blue and white oil paint, you will learn how to create any color on the color wheel.
Using these paint colors, you will practice color theory while using a variety of styles that the masters used including glazing, cold wax medium, stand oil, palette knife skills, etc.
5. COPY THE MASTER PAINTERS
The Master Painters copied the “Great artists" of their day. As you copy the Masters, you will learn their techniques, and how they created certain effects from oil paint. For example, how did Monet accomplished scintillating skies? Or how did Rembrandt create impossibly realistic three-dimensional paintings? You will copy a master painting and then create your own painting using the same style the master painter used.
Upon completing this course you will have the skills necessary to paint whatever you want to paint. And it will start you on a trajectory with a solid foundation of time-honored techniques and art principles.