Intermediate Painting: Ground to Surface
Course Description
Summary
When you first learn how to paint the focus is typically on gaining facility with the application and manipulation of paint used to articulate the subject. In this intermediate course we will turn our attention to the often overlooked step before we can begin painting: preparing the surface.
Together we will explore the nuanced methods and material approaches that artists use (and have historically used) to prepare their surfaces for painting with oil, acrylic, and egg tempera. For serious painting students, understanding how their choice of ground affects how it feels to manipulate paint and affects their painting outcome allows them to make more specific material choices that will better support their conceptual goals.
Students will learn how to prepare canvas, linen, and wood panels with different painting grounds and sizing. Students will learn to make traditional gesso, and how to apply other grounds including: acrylic gesso, acrylic sizing, and oil ground. In addition to demonstrations of different surface preparation, students will learn how to make their own egg tempera paint from scratch using raw egg yolks and powdered pigments.
Alongside the development of material sensitivity and technical skill as they prepare their surfaces, students will be expected to use those surfaces in the creation of a cohesive body of work on a subject/topic/theme of their choice. In addition to working with oil and/or acrylic paint, experimentation with other painting media - such as watercolor, gouache, and inks - will be strongly encouraged. Self-motivated students that are interested in developing a deep material understanding of painting and who are already exploring subject matter of their choice/independent work, or beginning to do so, will thrive in this course.
The majority of in class time will involve demos and time for students to prepare their own painting supports with faculty guidance. It will also include critiques, discussions of readings, slideshows, and possibly a visit to a regional museum. Out of class students will be expected to work rigorously and independently on making paintings using their prepared surfaces.
Students are required to purchase a material kit that costs about $250.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop knowledge, experience, familiarity, and sensitivity to the differences between painting supports (linen, canvas, panel) and various painting grounds.
- Create a cohesive body of work in the medium of painting
- Practice different methods of preparing painting surfaces
- Refine the ability to discuss works of art through critique
- Gain knowledge and hands on experience in how to make egg tempera paint from scratch
Prerequisites
One 2000 level painting course. Preference will be given to students who have also previously taken one 4000 level painting / Intermediate Painting course or a 4000 level drawing course.
Please contact the faculty member : beverlyacha@bennington.edu