Zuider Emmakade 45F, 2012 KN Haarlem
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APPLICATIONS OPEN


​DATES: 30 September to 11 October 2024
TIMES: 9:30 to 16:30 (lunch from 12:30 to 13:30, 60 instructed hours total)
INSTRUCTOR: Kevin Müller Cisneros
LANGUAGE: English
LIMIT: 15 students maximum
COST: € 1475
INCLUDED WITH COST: Daily lunch, model costs
NOT INCLUDED: Drawing and painting materials (see below), accommodation, travel fare
RECOMMENDED LEVEL: It's recommended that students have some previous experience drawing from life. Experience working in oils will be helpful, but is not required.


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​Key Concepts & Skills in this Course:

* Depict the human figure with a high degree of accuracy in graphite and oils
* Approach the figure from a sculptural perspective, with attention to planar structure and anatomy
* Draw and paint from life in a way that builds the illusion of three-dimensionality
* Learn palette organization for efficiency and accuracy in mixing realistic skin tones
Shape Divider - Style triangle

  • 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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  • Tuition

    The cost of tuition for this course is € 1475, which includes 60 hours of instruction from the live model.

    Also included with the cost of tuition:
    • Model fees
    • Complimentary lunch. Meals are light, healthy & homemade. This typically consists of toasted sandwiches, soups, grilled vegetables, salad bowls, etc. Menu changes daily.
    • Coffee, tea, light snacks during all hours
    • End-of-workshop borrel / aperitif (light alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks, light snacks & bites) 
    • Studio equipment - easels, drawing boards, stools

    All other expenses (such as accommodation, travel fare, drawing & painting supplies) are not included.

    ​Payment Deadlines
    ​​Deposit
    A deposit payment is due within 14 days of acceptance into the course in order to reserve your place. This can be paid in one of two ways:
    ​
    • Monthly Installments: When there are more than 6 months before the start of the workshop, tuition fees can be split into six monthly payments. The first installment is charged at checkout. 3% interest is added when paying in monthly installments.
     
    • Two Installments: The first half of tuition is paid as a deposit to hold your place in the class. The second half is due 30 days before the start of the workshop.

    Are there fewer than 30 days before the start of the workshop?
    The full tuition fee is due within 5 working days in order to reserve your place in the class.

    If there are fewer than 5 days from the start of class, tuition fees must be paid in full before the workshop begins.

    Please review our cancellation and transfer policy.

  • Course Materials

    ​The following materials are required for participation in this course.


    DRAWING MATERIALS
    • A few sheets of white drawing paper, A2 size
    • Graphite pencils, HB
    • Utility/craft knife
    • Sandpaper block
    • Kneaded eraser
    • Tombow Mono Zero precision eraser
    • Long measuring tool (like a knitting needle or metal cooking skewer)

    ​OIL COLORS
    Paints should be ''Artist / Professional'' quality.
    • 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.
    CANVAS
    • 1 stretched and primed fine-weave canvas, cotton or linen. The suggested size is 45 x 60 cm, although a taller size like 75 cm will also work.
    ​
    PAINT MEDIUMS
    • Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits
    ​Gamsol is the only solvent allowed for use at DARA.
    ​
    PAINTING MATERIALS
    • 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.)

  • Location

    Have you followed a workshop with us before? Please note that all 2024 workshops will take place in our new studio building at: Zuider Emmakade 45, 2012 KN Haarlem.

    Our new location is in the same neighbourhood as our previous building, and easily accessible via public transport.

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    Where to Stay

    Travelling to Haarlem from out of town? We can give a few recommendations on places to stay:

    • Travelling on a budget
    Check out Hello I'm Local Boutique Hostel located in the center of town - both private rooms and shared dorms available.

    • Nearby Hotels
    The following hotels are all within 15 minutes walking distance of DARA or less:​
    the niu Dairy
    Hotel Raecks
    Boutique Hotel 't Vosje

    • AirBnB
    Renting a private room or apartment through AirBnB is often a popular choice for artists travelling to DARA from out of town. Booking early is advised.

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​For Who

Recommended Level

It's recommended that students have basic competency in drawing, and some previous experience drawing from life.

Experience working in oils will be helpful, but is not required.

Small class sizes ensure that instruction can be tailored to each student's individual level.


​Instructor

Kevin Müller Cisneros
Kevin Müller Cisneros was born in Peru, and emigrated to the United States in 2003. He pursued his academic studies at the Grand Central Atelier (GCA), New York, where he spent four years studying empirical methods of drawing and seeing with an emphasis on the human figure and the physics of light. He currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, and continues to place an intimate appreciation of nature at the forefront of his aesthetic principles.