Art School

• Teaching Methods of the School

Nicolai Fechin (1881-1955) - a great Russian Master artist and teacher, was commissioned to come to the United States to teach art. He recalls a student who said they were good at painting portraits and did not want to begin learning by doing a simple still life. Fechin replied, "Think you are painting a portrait of that apple." Fechin knew if an artist could paint a simple object well, they could paint a complicated one also.

Thomas Eakins (1844-1916)- an artist of the Pennsylvania Academy of Art 1876. Students were taught in the Baroque teaching method, which is to copy from antique casts, or plates. The students would move on to live models and still life, using black and white photos as resources. A 'true artist' can put timeless brushstrokes, thick layers of paint, paint in primary areas, develop colour harmony and create an emotional mood within the painting; something a photo can not duplicate. Eakins commented, "Great paintings take time and patience." His theory is reflected in the focus and development of Pro's Art School.

At Pro's Art school we strive to teach the way of the Old Masters while incorporating modern realistic methods. We believe that there are 3 levels which will allow students to develop their artwork. Some students only get to level one and become content with that basic level of artistry. Others have a greater drive and discipline which enables them to push further, learn new techniques and thus broaden both their artistic range and their skill set.

The 3 Levels taught at Pro's Art School have specific goals designed to allow students to reach their full potential at their own pace.

LEVEL I - Learn to use a grid to draw any subject. paint the object in monochromatic - detect shapes and values of each object through squinting. apply the paint thinly on the canvas for control purposes. learn to use brush pressure to create detailed blending. acquire the basic skills of mixing one or more colors.

LEVEL II - Learn to draw or paint freehand, still life, portraits and Landscapes. Create an underpainting where you build your composition foundation & plan light and dark areas. Use monochromatics and understand it's function. Recognize and paint the important shapes and values and leave out trivial detail. Recognize when to use soft and hard edges. Paint the inside of a flower or a field of grass without painting every individual blade of grass.

LEVEL III - drawing - tonal values - composition. Learn to draw a composition so the viewer's eye moves throughout the piece. Gain the knowledge of paint thickness, brush strokes and colour harmony. Develop primary and secondary areas of interest and have the ability to handle the dead or quiet areas, so that the composition from corner to corner feels connected. View and study the Masters' paintings and understand their compositions.

A PAINTER paints everything, resulting in a boring composition...
while an ARTIST recognizes the most significant things to paint in order to make a great composition.