The Aristides Classical Atelier Program at Gage Academy of Art offers students who plan a career as a professional artist the opportunity to study classical drawing and painting techniques. Information is presented in a variety of formats intended to enable students of all levels the ability to grasp difficult concepts to later incorporate into their personal artistic work. Curriculum Progression
THE ACADEMIC METHOD
During the first year of the atelier, students are immersed in the academic method of drawing. They are taught how to sight and measure the subject in order to reproduce it accurately. Exercises are designed to improve the students drawing skills, with an emphasis on contour, proportion, gesture, anatomy, modeling, and the shape of light and shadow.
Once a student has acquired the requisite drawing skills, they begin to learn the art and science of painting. Painting projects are designed for the first-time painting student. The emphasis is on drawing accuracy, handling the paint, and the careful observation of light and shadow. Students go on to use a limited and the full palette while completing increasingly complex projects in cast and still life painting.
Students attend figure drawing class every morning for three hours and afternoon individual studio time for an additional three hours five days a week. Juliette Aristides attends twice a week to carefully monitor your progress by providing individual critiques, facilitating peer critiques, leading group discussions, and demonstrating concepts. First time atelier students can expect to draw for the first year unless special plans have been made.
Every student will be expected to complete one cast drawing and cast painting before moving on to still life work. In addition to classroom work, there will be reading assignments and occasional take home projects.
During the course of the year, in addition to the atelier instruction, students are encouraged to attend lectures at the Academy in art history, anatomy, historic methods and materials and technical demonstrations. Atelier students should address requests for additional areas of study to their instructor.