Part 1: Foundations of Study

Welcome to the first of the seven part course, in which we hope to create a strong foundation into the exploration of a range of techniques that are widely used in the art of painting.

Such techniques we will be covering have their deep roots in Renaissance Italy, but include modern explorations such as the decalcomania and collage methods of the Surrealists, and the symbolism and ‘mischtechnik’ (mixed technique) of the Fantastic Realists (the antecedents to what today is often called ‘visionary art’.

Of course such a study is broad and deep and intricate, so we do what can be done with the time available to organise our knowledge of the methods and materials in the most practical and effective way for self-expression and artistic development.

Never regard study as a duty, but as the enviable opportunity to learn to know the liberating influence of beauty in the realm of the spirit for your own personal joy and to the profit of the community to which your later work belongs.

Albert Einstein

Mischtechnik means mixed technique – although we give great respect and emphasis to traditional knowledge in this course, we do not pretend to live in the medieval times. Modern materials, pigments, and creative options exist for us now, that did not exist for the old masters. Had they such technology to hand, they would have no doubt used them. We refer to things like modern pigments and binders, computer imaging, printing, projection, the camera etc.

The reason why on this course we use printers and even photoshop is that unless we are in a particular position, we do not have people who will hold poses for us unflinchingly for hours and hours without complaint. The great masters of the past who studied nature and the human body and face for weeks and months and years had subjects who were amienable to be ‘living statues’ for their enquiry. We do recommend life drawing classes for the study of the human body. And to study nature and its subtlety. But the camera gives us the ability to make the study of the body and face also. And we disagree with many an art-teachers contention that nothing can be gained from the careful study of the body via a photograph. When approached with the right mind-set, working with photographs and printouts can help the beginner considerably.

Our aim is to de-mystify the beautiful methods and materials used by many great artists so that you feel competent and empowered to jump in, explore the parameters of the techniques, understand the behaviour of the mediums and paint and brush, and how to also solve problems when they occur. As it is an online course, much is in your hands in terms of your motivation and your time and patience to delve into the teaching materials offered, to try to mine it for the subtleties and explore the implications and potentials suggested .

It is a personal delight to assist you in your progress and I hope you enjoy the course

Warmest
Daniel Mirante