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General Description

Learning to paint the human figure is considered one of the most technically challenging exercises at the Florence Academy and lies at the heart of our curriculum. Students will learn to compose the figure in space while recreating the qualities of flesh in oil. Technical discussions on the materials and techniques of oil painting will be introduced. The class will work on one long pose along with preparatory studies, focusing on structure, proportion, edge quality, light impression and atmosphere. Students will learn the sight-size method to view the subject with accuracy to reproduce it successfully. Throughout the course, students apply this method to translate the three-dimensional human figure to a two-dimensional surface. Students will receive daily individual critiques to help guide them towards a fully resolved and accurate painting. By the end of the workshop, students will have experienced the process of making an oil painting from start to finish.

Beginning – Intermediate – Advanced levels 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 200-250

What’s Included

  • 60 hours Instruction in English
  • Individual critiques
  • One primed canvas
  • Welcome Party in the gardens of the Budini Gattai Palace in Florence on the first Thursday of the workshop, to meet fellow students and faculty
  • Guided museum visit to the Bargello Museum with the Academy’s resident Art Historian to view major works by Renaissance sculptors
  • Summer Faculty Exhibition to view the latest work by FAA faculty
  • Access to the on-campus FAA Café where students may purchase breakfast, lunch and enjoy an afternoon aperitivo
  • Extended access to the studios and school facilities after class until 9 pm
  • Discounted art supplies
  • List of housing recommendations

Faculty

Toby Neve is a British painter born in 1993 whose specialised education in drawing and painting began in 2011 at the London Atelier of Representational Art, before he joined The Florence Academy of Art in 2012. Upon graduating in 2015, and having started teaching as an student-instructor in his third year of studies, he was awarded the Fourth-Year prize, working for a year under Daniel Graves, next-door to his private studio. Toby is Director of the Intermediate Program, teaching drawing and painting to second year students. He also lectures on the materials of drawing and painting. Toby’s private studio is on the FAA campus where students are welcome to visit out of working hours. He was awarded a first place ARC scholarship in 2014 and was a 2015 Hudson River Fellow.

See more of Toby’s work in the Alumni Gallery and at @toby.neve

Elizabeth Katherine Ralph-Smith (b. 2001) is a painter and etcher from Auckland, New Zealand. She was introduced to the arts through music, studying piano with the New Zealand Suzuki Institute and performing at various locations throughout the country including the Auckland Town Hall. Finding her passion for painting, Elizabeth travelled to Italy at the age of 18 to study at The Florence Academy of Art, founded by Painter Daniel Graves. Upon graduating with a Diploma in Painting in 2022, she was awarded a Graduate in Residence position. She now lives and works in Florence as a Principal Instructor at the Florence Academy of Art and as an independent artist. Elizabeth is dedicated to the traditional practice of painting from life, using drawing and painting as a means of investigating the beauty of the world around her. Her works can be found in private collections in Europe, The United States, and New Zealand. 

See more of Elizabeth’s work in the Alumni Gallery and @elizabeth_ralphsmith_art

The Florence Academy of Art reserves the right to assign or reassign faculty as needed, based on scheduling and availability. While we strive to maintain consistency in our instructional team, specific instructors may change at any time. You will be contacted by the FAA Office should a change occur.

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.