Renaissance Drawing and Painting Techniques
Course Info:
- Instructor: Gleb Shtyrmer
- Department: Fine Arts
- Area: Painting and Drawing
- Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 60
- Course Number (SRISA): SART 3206
- Course Number (Maryville University): ART 313
- Prerequisite: No prerequisites are required. However, drawing experience is beneficial to the understanding of the course content.
Course Description:
SRISA's Renaissance Drawing and Painting Techniques course offers a rich and immersive Florentine hands-on experience designed for both studio artists and art historians. It delves into the methods and techniques that were developed during the Renaissance, which many contemporary artists still use today due to their richness and flexibility. For art historians, understanding how these materials were used to create the masterpieces of Florentine painting is of great interest.
During the Fall and Spring semesters, Renaissance Drawing and Painting Techniques program is divided into two separate sections:
The first section of the course focuses on Drawing, which played a crucial role in any 15th-century Florentine bottega. Students will explore its various applications and techniques and create master-copies and independent artworks using methods and materials that are compatible with the era.
The second section of the course is dedicated to Egg Tempera, a distinct 15th-century painting technique that allowed artists such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and Bellini to produce outstanding artworks admired to this day. The students will learn the entire process of tempera painting, including ground preparation, underpainting, gilding, paint making, emulsions (such as tempera grassa), and painting methods and stages.
A comprehensive approach of this course blends historical research, hands-on experimentation, and a thorough comprehension of materials and techniques. We will delve into authentic textual and visual sources to establish a historical context for our creative work. By engaging in practical exercises, we will craft artworks utilizing the same methods and materials employed by Renaissance artists. Our focus will be on understanding the properties and combinations of materials, as well as the intricate stages involved in the painting process.
This program caters to individuals with varying skill levels, including both novices and those with prior knowledge, making it accessible to a wide range of participants. Previous painting or drawing experience is helpful but not required. The course offers a comprehensive practical experience using a variety of traditional materials and methods that were utilized in the creation of masterpieces during the Italian Renaissance. By engaging in hands-on demonstrations, group discussions, critiques, and field trips to relevant sites, students will acquire valuable insights.
The proximity of world-class museums to the SRISA campus presents an exceptional chance for students to engage in group discussions and conduct individual artistic research by studying genuine Renaissance paintings.
For further information regarding the course curriculum, please visit the website dedicated to the Renaissance Painting & Drawing Techniques Course.
SRISA studio courses will have personal and course materials to be purchased in Florence. A complete list will be provided with the syllabus on the first day of class.