Today was the last day of our Caravaggio workshop. Our instructor, Fernando Freitas, gave us a tour of the studios at the Academy of Realist Art. He explained that drawing skills are the foundation of great art, including painting and sculpture. One must master color, proportions, shapes, lighting, and edges to accurately depict forms found in the subject matter.
He divided his academy’s courses into 1) drawing skills; 2] sight sizing; 3) painting in oils in a monochromatic manner; and 4) painting still lifes in full color. Once his students master these four stages, they have the “black belt” to perform their craft as artists. Many of his students have gone on to teach art, paint for movie studios, and some have even become tattoo artists.
After the lecture, I returned to painting my study of Caravaggio’s “beardless Jesus” from the “Supper at Emmaus”. I glazed the entire background, the table, his white robe, his hands and his face. This is the stage of a painting that I enjoy painting the most. By the end of the day, I was about 85% finished with the painting. I had to stop so it could dry enough for me to bring it back to Naples. I plan to finish it at home next week.
The workshop was a success. Fernando Freitas is a wonderful and talented artist and teacher. I hope to pass the knowledge he gave to us on to the next generation of realist artists some day. That is our obligation as artists.
Here is a picture of my “flesh” palette from today:
Here’s a photo of my painting at the end of the day:
