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APPLICATIONS CLOSED

DATES: 2 to 13 October 2023 (no classes on 7 & 8 October)
TIMES: 9:30 to 16:30 (lunch from 12:30 to 13:30, 60 instructed hours total)
INSTRUCTOR: Kevin Müller Cisneros
LANGUAGE: English
LIMIT: 12 students maximum
COST: € 1450 (payment plans possible - see below)
INCLUDED WITH COST: Daily lunch & refreshments, model costs, easels
NOT INCLUDED: All other drawing/painting materials (see below), accommodation, travel fare
RECOMMENDED LEVEL: This course is suitable for beginner to advanced levels, though it is recommended that students have prior experience drawing from the live model. 

STUDIO Policies

Workshop FAQs

STUDIO Policies

Workshop FAQs

ABOUT THIS COURSE

• Overview

• Materials

• Schedule

• Payment Plan

• Financial Aid

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• Course Description

  In this 10-day course with classically trained painter Kevin Müller Cisneros, students will learn to draw and paint the academic figure through direct observation of a live model.
  
  The first five days will focus on graphite pencil drawing and applying the first coat of paint in neutral tones, using nineteenth century academic methods. In this part of the process, the drawing will be understood as a block-in that separates the world of lights and shadows.
  
  The imprimatura (first layer of paint) will then give way to examination of the body's planar topography, with focused study on the changes in tonal value depending on the form's proximity or distance from the light source.
  
  The second week will focus exclusively on painting, as Kevin guides his students through the process of form-modeling in color, further analyzing the hue, chroma, and value of each area as it relates to the whole figure. Individual critique and step-by-step demonstrations will be given by Kevin throughout each class, focusing on palette organization, mixing skin tones, brush handling, and more.
  
  Kevin will encourage his students to undertake a visual search of the human figure, with the intention of building the illusion of three-dimensionality. Practicing observation and interaction with the natural world will be studied, as students learn to construct the figure by triangulating abstract shapes and anatomical landmarks. Classroom dialogue will center around the concept of planes in relation to the light source, enabling students to approach painting the figure from a sculptural perspective.
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• Course Materials

  ​The following materials are required for participation in this course.
  Items on the list marked * are available to buy at the atelier.
  
  
  

  DRAWING MATERIALS

  • * 1 sheet white drawing paper, A2 size
  • Graphite pencils, HB
    • Kevin recommends Staedtler. For other options, * Faber-Castell pencils are sold at DARA.
  • * Utility/craft knife
  • * Sandpaper block
  • * Kneaded eraser
  • * Tombow Mono Zero precision eraser
  • Long measuring tool (like a knitting needle or metal cooking skewer)

  
  PAINTING MATERIALS

  • Wooden palette
  • Small to medium size palette knife, diamond or triangle shape
  • Rags or paper towels
  • 1 clean empty glass jar to rinse brushes

  
  BRUSHES
  Please bring a variety of round brushes in small to large sizes. These should be soft sable hair brushes (or synthetic brushes similar to sable.)
  
  

  CANVAS

  • 1 stretched and primed fine-weave canvas, cotton or linen, size 45 x 60 cm (a taller size, like 75 cm, will also work)
    • Kevin uses Claessens 13DP

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  PAINT MEDIUMS

  • * Gamsol

  ​Gamsol is the only solvent allowed for use at DARA.
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  ​OIL COLORS
  Paints should be ''Artist / Professional'' quality. No ''Student'' quality paints please.

  • Titanium White or Cremnitz White
  • Yellow Ochre
  • Cadmium Red
  • Alizarin Crimson
  • Burnt Sienna
  • Raw Umber
  • Ivory Black

  
  Optional suggested colors are Venetian Red, Genuine Naples Yellow, Yellow Lake, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Orange, Vandyke Brown. Not required, but handy to have around.
  
  
• Workshop Schedule

  STUDIO HOURS

  • 9:00 | Studio doors open
  • 9:30 to 12:30 | Morning lessons
  • 12:30 to 13:30 | Lunch break
  • 13:30 to 16:30 | Afternoon lessons
  • 17:00 | Studio closed

  
  * No classes on Saturday 7 October or Sunday 8 October. 
  On the final day of the course, DARA offers an end-of-workshop apéritif with light drinks and snacks from 17:00 to 19:00.
  
  LESSON PROGRAMME
  Week 1

  • Day 1 | Short poses & block-in using graphite: Establish structural landmarks within the figure, consider gesture, and determine the line of action.

  • Days 2 & 3 | Long pose - drawing the block-in using graphite: Students will consider whether any variations in the model's movement impact their first thoughts of the pose, and begin to transition from 2D to 3D thinking.
  • Day 4 | Value & Color Studies: Kevin will demonstrate how to transfer the drawings to canvas. Students will begin to think of color (hue, value, chroma) based on the Munsell Color System.
  • Day 5 | Imprimatura: Students will learn to create a wipe-out underpainting, established with a thin layer of paint keyed toward a lighter value scheme.

  
  Week 2

  • Days 6 - 10 | Long pose painting - Color Pass:  WeDuring the final week of the course, students will work towards the completion of one academic figure painting. Kevin will demonstrate an approach in which students learn to slowly model through each form, further analyzing the hue, chroma, and value of each area as it relates to the whole figure. 

  
  
  
• There is a payment plan offered for students enrolled in this course.
  
  Option 1: Paying in 2 Installments

  • With Option 1, a deposit payment of 725- EUR is due within 14 days of acceptance into the course.
  • The second installment of 725- EUR is due on 4 September (4 weeks before the start of class.)

  
  Option 2: Paying in 4 Monthly Installments

  • With Option 2, students pay in 4 installments of 362,50 EUR with a credit card or pin.
  • The first installment is due within 14 days of acceptance into the course.
  • Each subsequent installment is billed monthly to the student's account.
  • This option is no longer offered after 4 September. (Meaning, students who enroll in the course after that date pay the full tuition fee up front.)
• Financial Aid

  ​You may be eligible for funding for this workshop from Werktuig PPO (permanente professionele ontwikkeling, or “continuous professional development”) if the following applies to you:

  • You are employed by a Dutch company or organization in the creative or cultural sector.
  • You are a self-employed freelancer in the Netherlands in the creative or cultural sector.

   
  How can I check if I am eligible?
  Businesses within the creative or cultural sectors are categorized by SBI code.
  The list of eligible SBI codes can be found here.
  
  How does this funding scheme work?
  Werktuig PPO finances one-third of the total cost of the course, with the remaining amount to be contributed by you or your employer.
  Are you interested in enrolling in multiple courses at DARA? Werktuig PPO offers a maximum contribution of € 2000 in funds per 12 months.
  
  How can I apply?
  Apply online at: https://werktuigppo.nl/
  Applications must be submitted by students. DARA is not affiliated with Werktuig PPO and cannot apply on a student’s behalf. Questions regarding this funding scheme may be emailed to [email protected]
   
  Can students at DARA apply for the STAP budget?
  Not at this time.
  
  Are there any other discounts or scholarships available for workshops at DARA?
  Not at this time.