Vitruvian Fine Art Studio

This class is recommended for students seeking to understand form on a fundamental level. The morphology of any complex object can be reduced to a few simple archetypal forms. The cube, the cone, the cylinder, the sphere and the egg may be conceived as “building blocks” for more complex forms found in nature – their influence can be seen even in the most subtle organic structures. A sound grasp of the 3-dimensional structure of these forms, and how they interact with the flow of light, is an enormous asset when representing the subtle structures found in other subjects such as the figure or still life. By studying these 5 five objects closely students build a kind of “vocabulary of form” that they can then draw upon to represent any subject. Furthermore, rendering these simple objects provides valuable practice in capturing the effect of the light on form – a necessary skill for any aspiring realist artist.

Students in this class will execute three studies of each volume, beginning with the cube, in either graphite or grisaille. The lighting in each study will change, providing an opportunity to study how the direction and intensity of light affect how the object is perceived. When all five volumes have been completed, students have the option of moving on to more complex objects, including plaster casts, to apply what they have learned to other subjects.

This class runs on an ongoing basis, and is designed to proceed at the student’s own pace. Instruction is highly individualized, and students are encouraged to think of the class as a long-term venture. More than one 8-week cycle may be necessary to complete study of all 5 volumes. A deep understanding of form develops only gradually. Patience is a must.