NEW! The Figure in Grisaille A
Adult Class | This class has been canceled
In this class, students will learn the fundamental concepts of form and value by painting the figure in black and white, or "grisaille" From the French meaning "shades of grey." A great stepping stone for those looking to move from drawing the figure into painting, this course is also a great review for more intermediate students on investigating the complexities of form without the added complication of color. Starting with a logical and sculptural approach to form modeling, we will also explore optical ways of value grouping, and eventually integrating both into one wholistic method. Time permitting, we will also explore grisaille in other monochrome methods like burnt and raw umber. Instructor will working alongside students to demonstrate the concepts and techniques as well as offer individual critiques and instruction.
- Requirements:
*Students registering for this course must have completed at least 1 year of figure drawing study.
- Palette (wood is preferred. glass acceptable. NO palette paper.)
- Solvent (odorless mineral spirits only)
- Brush washer (any jar with a sealable lid for your mineral spirits.)
- Paper towels, Home Depot blue shop towels are highly recommended.
- Palette knife
- Stand oil, Gamblin brand recommended.
- Artist’s Retouching Varnish, Grumbacher brand recommended.
- Brushes: 2 bristle filberts each in sizes 4,3,2,1. Silver Grand Prix, and Blick master stroke recommended.
Oils (artist grade paint required)
- Ivory Black, Burnt Umber, Titanium white (winsor newton brand recommended)
Substrate
- 16x20 cotton canvas toned neutral gray.
- canvas paper (frederix recommended) 16x20
- Drawing Board to tape canvas paper to.
Canvas Toning Procedure: Take Meininger’s neutral gray acrylic paint and squeeze about a heaping tablespoon of paint into a mixing bowl. Stir in some water and thin until you get the consistency of melted ice cream. Take a wide chip house painting brush to scrub this mixture onto your canvas. Once covered, carefully drag the brush from one end of the canvas to another to make even, parallel strokes. Let dry.
Alexander Soukas
Alexander’s studies began at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in a coordinated program with the University of Pennsylvania. Unsatisfied with his studies, he pursued classical training at Studio Incamminati where he graduated from their 4 year advanced fine art program. While there, he worked for and studied under world renowned painter Nelson Shanks as his last apprentice and studio assistant. Soukas also studied structural anatomy, figure drawing and sculpture at the Grand Central Atelier and The Boston School of Painting.
After his formal training in Philadelphia, Alexander moved to Colorado, where he has been a faculty member at the Art Students League of Denver for a decade. He maintains a studio space and school dedicated to the study of contemporary realist art, Studio Metaxu, in the heart of downtown Denver, offering classes in painting and drawing and the study of the human figure.
He has exhibited throughout the country including Abend Gallery, Stanek Gallery, Manitou Gallery in Santa Fe, the Union League of Philadelphia, and the Comcast Center.
www.alexsoukas.com