Hey there! Criss here, back for another week of the Milan Art Institute Mastery Program.
It’s week 11 and I can hardly believe how far I’ve come. This week we were working on two different themes that really challenged me.
First up, we tackled optical colour mixing. We used oil paints right out of the tube and layered the colours over each other to create an optical illusion of blending. I found myself standing back from my canvas quite a bit to make sure I was getting the colours just right. I felt like I was playing a game of "stand back and squint to see if it looks right." It was a challenge, but I was up for it.
Next, we worked on drawing in white chalk and china marker on black paper, which felt like I was drawing in reverse. Instead of rendering shadows, I was defining the form of an object by rendering highlights. It was pretty cool, and I was thrilled with how my drawing turned out.
Then we switched gears and worked on drawing from our imagination. It was a struggle at first, but I eventually got the hang of it. We did a couple of assignments, one where we just doodled with pens and markers and the other where we used charcoal and graphite to make an abstract piece. I have to say, I really enjoyed the doodling. It reminded me of my childhood when I would doodle all the time. So for me, I think I will keep this sheet of paper next to my easel to have as a pro
Hot TipKeep a list or illustration of your favourite mark making techniques or doodles next to your easel or somewhere in your studio, so you can easily refer to them if you get stuck on a painting. |
They didn’t really say what this assignment was for but I have the feeling it’s to begin to help us built up our own library or language of ways that we like to make marks, or regular motifs that we like to incorporate into our paintings. It’s like creating your own personal dictionary of art. And who knows, maybe I’ll start incorporating some graffiti-style doodles into my work.
It’s been 11 weeks now and I’m finally starting to feel inspired. For the first few months, I didn’t have any ideas of my own. I just showed up to my studio and followed the program.
But now, I’m starting to see the world differently. I’m seeing the colours and the shapes and the light in a new way.
Overall, I’m really enjoying this program. I’m learning a lot and the best part is, I can do it all from the comfort of my own home. So if you’re looking to learn how to paint or just want to develop your skills, I’d definitely recommend the Milan Art Institute Mastery Program. It’s challenging, but it’s also a lot of fun. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll see my paintings hanging in a Melbourne art gallery.
