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General Description

At The Florence Academy of Art painting directly from life is the culmination of various skills. The course begins with an in depth explanation of the Florence Academy method, a technical demonstration on mixing colors, organizing the palette, preparing mediums, and producing a painting from life. Students work 6 hours daily, painting the figure in the morning and the portrait in the afternoon.

The daily session begins with a three hour Figure Painting class designed to strengthen the student’s visual relationship with three-dimensional form. Students use a limited palette, with its phenomenally broad range of color effects, to focus on color harmony and unity of light. Projects range from a three-hour color study to a long pose lasting three hours per day for several days to obtain a finished, accurate painting.

In the afternoon, students return for Portrait Painting. In an atmospheric, north light environment, students learn the essential qualities of classical painting: accuracy, rhythm, light effect and the illusion of form and space. The class is designed to increase the level of accuracy, and fine tune the approach to painting from life in any student’s work, whether experienced or beginner. The gained knowledge and sensitivity is applicable to every form of artistic expression.

As a basis for observation and accurate measurement of the figure or portrait, students will be taught to use the sight-size method of measurement.

This two-week course is with 30 hours per week full instruction in English. Students work from the live model six hours per day. Instruction is on an individual basis, so students of all levels are welcome.

Maximum enrollment 12 students.

Additional Info

WORKSHOP CREDITS: 3 per session

Please note: The Florence Academy of Art expresses workshop coursework in credits to the equivalent of 1 credit for 20 hours of completed study. Academic grades are not awarded and there are no exams. Please see each course for total hours of study. Any final acceptance or recognition of hours of study or credits for workshop (external activity) is at the discretion of the Home University or institution in question and in accordance with each institution’s transfer policy.

Medium & Materials

Oil paint

Students receive a list of materials required for the workshop in their acceptance email. Unless indicated, materials are not included in the tuition fee and may be purchased in advance and at a discounted rate directly from the Florentine art supply store, Zecchi. Students will find their supplies waiting for them in their studio upon arrival in Florence.

Estimated cost of materials: EUR 200

What’s Included

  • Instruction in English
  • Individual critiques
  • 30 hours per week with the figure/portrait model
  • Two primed canvases
  • Discounted art supplies
  • Technical demonstrations on mixing colors, organizing the palette, and preparing mediums
  • Extended access to the studios and school facilities after class until 9 pm
  • Access to the on-campus FAA Cafe where students may purchase breakfast, lunch and enjoy an afternoon aperitivo
  • List of housing recommendations

Faculty

Francesco Bianchini, born Milan, Italy, attended the Brera Academy Of Fine Arts graduating with 110 cum laude with a thesis in Art History. In 2018 he moved to Florence Italy to study at the Florence Academy of Art where he successfully graduated and became a teaching assistant. In 2019 he was selected as one of the finalists at the American Portrait Society competition. The following year he won the ARC scholarship and in 2022 his painting was awarded in the “Fully from Life” category of the Art Renewal Center Salon. As well as professional painter, Francesco is also a principal instructor at the Florence Academy of Art.

See more of Francesco’s work on Instagram: @francescobianchini.art

Marco Franco is an Italian painter born in Florence in 1989. Fascinated by the surrounding culture and artistic traditions of his home city, Marco has always possessed a deep interest for art. He studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan from 2012 to 2015, completing a degree in art conservation with a specialization in wood, as well as in paintings on panel and canvas. After working for two years in Milan as a restorer, Marco realized that his true desire was to fully dedicate himself to learning traditional painting techniques and eventually becoming a fine arts painter. He began his art education at The Florence Academy of Art in 2016 and graduated from the Painting Program in 2019. He is currently a Principal Instructor in the Intensive Drawing Program.

See more of Marco’s work on Instagram: @marcofranco_art

Tanvi Pathare, born in Mumbai, India, showed a growing interest in the fine arts since a very early age. She graduated with honors from the prestigious Sir J. J. School of Art in Mumbai where she received a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Painting. Following the allure of the realistic tradition of painting from nature, Tanvi attended The Florence Academy of Art, Florence, Italy, graduating from the Painting Program in 2012. During her second year, she won the award for Best Figure Painting in the Intermediate Program, and in her final year, she was awarded Honorable Mention for Exceptional Overall Performance in Advanced Painting. She is recipient of the prestigious Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant for Painting (2012), and a finalist in the Figurative Category of the ARC International Salon 2012-2013. Tanvi began teaching at The Florence Academy of Art as a student, and is presently a principal instructor in the Intermediate and Advanced Painting programs at The Florence Academy of Art. She works privately in Florence. She is represented in the United States by Hagan Fine Art Gallery, Charleston, SC, and by Carpenter Gallery in Newberry, SC. Her work hangs in private collections in America, Europe and Asia.

See more of Tanvi’s work on Instagram: @tanvipathareart

Elizabeth Ralph-Smith grew up in New Zealand, where she was introduced to the arts through the New Zealand Suzuki Institute. She performed piano at various locations throughout the country and was awarded scholarships for her photography and English. In 2018, her visual arts portfolio was selected by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority for a national tour. In 2019, Elizabeth moved to Florence to pursue formal education in the traditional methods of figurative drawing and painting at The Florence Academy of Art. She graduated in 2022 from the painting program and was awarded a Graduate in Residence position. She now lives and works as a Principal Instructor in Florence, painting from life and exploring the rich figurative tradition.

See more of Elizabeth’s work on Instagram: @elizabeth.k.fineart

Location

ADDRESS: Via Aretina 293, Florence, Italy

* If the workshop or session is fully booked you may apply to be placed on our waitlist. Should we have a cancellation or a place becomes available, we will contact you.