Grounded Visions 2021 Foundational Techniques for the Visual Artist with Stefan Lucas Jan. 20th - Feb. 12th, 2020 (Wednesdays & Fridays) 8x Classes Participate in the full course, half course or a la carte! 4x Figure Drawing and 4x Direct Painting in Oil. 4 hours each with playbacks sent after each class. SIGN UP HERE For around 4.5 billion years, the universe has been at work on the behavior of light, matter and the human form. In 32 hours spread across 8 classes we will cover some major points and get in touch with our roots. In these classes we will learn how to draw the human figure and paint objects in oils from life. |
Figure Drawing
There’s nothing quite like bringing a human figure to life with only marks on paper. It is a balance of drawing what we see and inventing what we know. In this class through a variety of tools and techniques I will share what makes a figure drawing tick, from a 30 second pose, to a 3 and a half hour pose. These classes will be held on Wednesdays starting January 20th.
Alla Prima Still-Lifes
In essence, practicing alla prima painting is a way of directly downloading codes of matter and light, and therefore it is one of the most efficient ways to enhance your personal work’s visual integrity. Within this class, objects will be constructed that are both more real than a photograph and undeniably still a painting. These classes will be held on Fridays start on Jan 22nd.
With these classes we will produce hundreds of drawings and 4 alla prima paintings. The skill-sets taught in this class will without a doubt provide a sturdy foundation that will strengthen the execution of your future work.
Endorsement from Amanda Sage:
"Stefan is a natural teacher and artist that has studied with a fantastic range of teachers and has embodied what he has learned in a deeply integral way. He is wise beyond his years and since working with him for the first time in 2017 he evolved quickly to become the figure drawing teacher at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art and was my studio assistant during my 5 week intensive in 2019. I prompted him to put together this course as I saw so many artists from the Transformation 2020 workshop could benefit from foundational training in observation that would support the expression of their visions".
PRICE of COURSE
$240 - Full Course - 8x Classes - includes access to designated FB Group $140 - Figure Drawing - 4x Classes - includes access to designated FB Group $140 - Direct Painting in Oil - 4x Classes - includes access to designated FB Group $40 - Single Class REGISTER HERE For questions please email: [email protected] If you are interested in participating in our affiliate program to help with signups and be compensated: FILL OUT THIS FORM |
SCHEDULE 8am - 12pm PDT January 20th - Gesture Drawing, Collapsing Ether, The importance of the Pelvis and Ribcage January 22nd - Paint an Apple January 27th - Figure Drawing, Necks, Arms, Legs Heads January 29th - Grisaille Still Life February 3rd - Figure Drawing, Longer Poses and Detailed Forms February 5th - Paint a glass Jar with something in it February 10th - Figure Drawing, Long Pose February 12th - Paint a dynamic still life (keep scrolling for more detailed descriptions and material recommendations for each session) Timezone Breakdown Los Angeles PDT 8am-12pm Denver MDT 9am-1pm New York EDT 11am-3pm Vienna CET 5pm-9pm New Delhi 8:30pm-12:30am Sydney AEST 1am-5am If you are in a timezone that is not conducive to participating in the live events you will be able to work from the playbacks. |
MATERIALS LIST Suggested Materials for Figure Drawing: *you can also take this class with a good sized sketchbook and whatever pencils/ pens you have laying around* - Block of Sketching paper (Preferably newsprint or something or a similar cheap quality) A3 or larger - A nice A2 piece of light mid-toned paper (not too dark) - Drawing supplies - Ballpoint Pens - A few pencils HB-9B - Colored Pencils - Felt Tip Markers - Kneadable eraser - Mono zero mechanical eraser - White charcoal pencil/ white colored pencil/ white Gelly Roll sakura pen - Exacto Blade/ any sharp blade (for precision sharpening) |
Suggested Oil Painting Materials: - Painter’s Palette or Palette Paper - 4 Canvas Panels - Spotlight - Rag (can be an old t-shirt) - Gloves (optional) - Linseed oil or liquin - Black Charcoal Pencil - Exacto Blade/ any sharp blade (for precision sharpening) - Brushes - Still life materials (different each week, check detailed schedule) *Have a range of medium to small brushes that have a little bit of strength in their bristle. For example: hog hair, synthetic mongoose hair, cheap but well shaped hobby brushes* -Oil Paints (preferably a cheap set) or Acrylic -Cadmium Red -Alizarin Crimson -Cadmium Orange -Cadmium Yellow -Ultramarine Blue -Phthalo Blue -Titanium or lead White -Raw or Burnt Umber -Black |
Teacher
Stefan Lucas Born 1997 in San Diego, California, Stefan is an artist that uses painting to share and transmit the contents of multidimensional experiences. The intention behind these paintings is that they encourage and inspire individuals to become more aware of their personal multidimensional narratives, histories and trajectories. Stefan has been painting since early childhood and grew up with a great admiration for the Visionary Art culture. As a teenager entheogens and lucid dreaming granted him access to direct and vivid experiences in various planes throughout creation, thus increasing his interest in being a part of the Visionary Art Movement. In 2017 he sought out connection to the artists in this scene by moving to Austria and studying at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art (VAVA) for three years. In these years he learned many techniques from various master visionary artists, eventually becoming an essential member of the VAVA team as the studio monitor and figure drawing instructor. Stefan was in the roster for teaching a five week course during the fall of 2020, but unfortunately VAVA had to close its doors due to the COVID 19 world epidemic. Now at the age of 23, Stefan is working full time in his Viennese painting studio, teaching online courses and practicing Kriya Yoga. This form of mediation is essential to his creative process because to this day, it’s the most integral technique he’s discovered for vividly experiencing the multidimensional nature of reality. www.stefanlucasart.com Instagram.com/stefan.lucas.art Assistant
Yasemin B. Duru Yasemin is a multicultural multidisciplinary artist, currently based in Vienna, Austria. She was introduced to meditation at the age of 3, and as such is able to hold space for much creation and transformation. Previously using mirrors and crystals as her main forms of medium and using art to question and bring awareness to concepts such as illusion and reality; Yasemin has been an active part of the VAVA family since August 2019 and has since been assisting various teachers and artists in the community, as well as expanding her painting skills to bring her visions to life. In addition to sharing images of a sustainable, inspiring, collaborative future; Yasemin is passionate about themes regarding Earth, animals, mental health awareness, lgbtqia2s+ topics, and empowering others to live their truth, including embodying our multidimensional selves. Painting can be both a meditation and a transformational tool to heal ourselves and the Earth. yaseminduru.art Instagram.com/yaseminduruart |
Posture
It makes a difference…
The ideal setup for all of these classes includes:
Details about working posture was not mentioned in the first round of Grounded Visions and it is not absolutely essential to meet all of these points, however if you are able to create this setup fully or partially, it will enable the work flow to be much smoother.
It makes a difference…
The ideal setup for all of these classes includes:
- sketchbook, paper or panel set up on an easel almost perpendicular to the floor
- easel adjusted high enough to work while standing
- space behind to be able to step back
- art surface (paper or panel), reference (image or still life) and zoom call, all set up to be eye level while standing
- art surface lit in a way where working hand does not cast a shadow over your work
- reference (image or still life) set up opposite your working hand (if your right handed the reference is best set up on your left
Details about working posture was not mentioned in the first round of Grounded Visions and it is not absolutely essential to meet all of these points, however if you are able to create this setup fully or partially, it will enable the work flow to be much smoother.
DETAILED CLASS SCHEDULE
Read through this schedule carefully, for each class will have a different technical focus that utilizes different tools.
January 20th
Figure Drawing Class 1
“Gesture Drawing/ Collapsing Ether/ The Importance of the Pelvis, Spine and Ribcage”
For the first foundational skill-building class, have your cheaper quality sketch-block ready for action. We will focus primarily on 1-5 minute long poses and learn about how to realistically collapse the figure into form out from the ether. We will also cover some anatomical basics that are essential within quick poses. Towards the end of class we will transition into some 10 and 20 minute long poses to experience how a quick pose can be the construction for longer poses.
MATERIALS:
January 22nd
Alla Prima Class 1
“Paint an Apple (Fruit Torus)”
Studying a fruit torus is a practice that has been foundational in art education throughout the centuries? But why? Because when you shine a single light source on a piece of fruit, it becomes a perfect study on how to realistically model form; a skill which can be used to model all forms. The fruit torus has a medium-waxy, round, and multi-colored surface that casts a shadow, which makes it the perfect subject of study in obtaining a well rounded understanding of how to realistically paint in oils!
MATERIALS:
January 27th
Figure Drawing Class Two
“Arms, Legs, Necks and Heads”
Using a sketchbook/ sketch-block of your choice we will dive into a diverse range of 5-30 minute long poses. In This class, we’ll cover the basic structures of the head, arms, neck and legs. We’ll also explore some new rendering principles/tools that will build upon the gesture drawing techniques learned within the previous class.
MATERIALS:
January 29th
Alla Prima Class 2
“Grisaille Still Life”
Many old master paintings have a carefully rendered Grisaille underpainting. This is because value (light and dark) is the most essential principle that grants paintings a lifelike quality. In this class we will do a grisaille underpainting of a glass jar half filled with water, an apple, and a potted plant of your choice, all resting on white drapery. With the understanding of how to see values properly your colored paintings will visually sing a symphony, both is unified and dynamic.
MATERIALS:
February 3rd
Figure Drawing Class 3
“Longer Poses and Detailed Forms”
Using a sketchbook/ sketch-block of your choice, we will dive into a life drawing session mainly focused on 20-45 minute long poses. We will dive into more specific rendering techniques as we also take a closer look at certain body parts, such as the hands and feet.
MATERIALS:
February 5th
Alla Prima Class 3
“Paint a Glass Jar with Something in It”
For our third alla prima painting class, we will paint a glass jar with something in it. What’s in it? Perhaps dried peppers or flowers, perhaps some butterfly wings, perhaps a sentimental memento that is particularly beautiful to you… perhaps some moss and a cinnamon stick! It’s upto you. The purpose if this lesson is to practice painting the distortion and warping effect that glass has on what it contains.
MATERIALS:
February 10th
Figure Drawing Class 4
“One Long Pose”
For the final figure drawing class we will focus all of our efforts on one long pose.
This long pose will be between 3 - 3.5 hours long.
MATERIALS:
February 12th
Alla Prima Class 4
“Dynamic Still Life”
For our final alla prima painting class we will paint a dynamic still life together. This will combine and test run the principles learned in earlier lessons as well as challenge us to be more loose and general with our brushwork. Our still life will include, a jar half filled with water, a plant of our choice, a multicolored apple front and center, all resting on white drapery.
MATERIALS:
Read through this schedule carefully, for each class will have a different technical focus that utilizes different tools.
January 20th
Figure Drawing Class 1
“Gesture Drawing/ Collapsing Ether/ The Importance of the Pelvis, Spine and Ribcage”
For the first foundational skill-building class, have your cheaper quality sketch-block ready for action. We will focus primarily on 1-5 minute long poses and learn about how to realistically collapse the figure into form out from the ether. We will also cover some anatomical basics that are essential within quick poses. Towards the end of class we will transition into some 10 and 20 minute long poses to experience how a quick pose can be the construction for longer poses.
MATERIALS:
- A3 or larger, cheap paper/newsprint sketch block (lots of this paper will be used in a short time)
- A4 or larger sketchbook of your choice (for the longer poses)
- Vine or willow Charcoal (get ready for messy hands)
- Kneadable Eraser
- drawing supplies of your choice, it really can be anything (I will use many different materials on this day such as pencils, colored pencils, markers, ballpoint pens, vine charcoal etc.)
January 22nd
Alla Prima Class 1
“Paint an Apple (Fruit Torus)”
Studying a fruit torus is a practice that has been foundational in art education throughout the centuries? But why? Because when you shine a single light source on a piece of fruit, it becomes a perfect study on how to realistically model form; a skill which can be used to model all forms. The fruit torus has a medium-waxy, round, and multi-colored surface that casts a shadow, which makes it the perfect subject of study in obtaining a well rounded understanding of how to realistically paint in oils!
MATERIALS:
- Bring all of your alla prima supplies from the *Alla Prima Painting Materials List*.
- Setup your still life as shown in example using a folded piece of white A3 paper and a single light source pointed at the apple. (will be posted on the facebook group prior to class)
- A multicolored red-yellow apple is recommended.
- A panel thinly primed with raw umber paint (can be primed in acrylics) * IF YOU PRIME PANEL IN OILS DO THIS AT LEAST 3 DAYS BEFORE THIS CLASS*
January 27th
Figure Drawing Class Two
“Arms, Legs, Necks and Heads”
Using a sketchbook/ sketch-block of your choice we will dive into a diverse range of 5-30 minute long poses. In This class, we’ll cover the basic structures of the head, arms, neck and legs. We’ll also explore some new rendering principles/tools that will build upon the gesture drawing techniques learned within the previous class.
MATERIALS:
- A4 or larger sketchbook of your choice
- drawing supplies of your choice (I will be using colored pencils, graphite pencils, fine liner markers and ballpoint pens).
January 29th
Alla Prima Class 2
“Grisaille Still Life”
Many old master paintings have a carefully rendered Grisaille underpainting. This is because value (light and dark) is the most essential principle that grants paintings a lifelike quality. In this class we will do a grisaille underpainting of a glass jar half filled with water, an apple, and a potted plant of your choice, all resting on white drapery. With the understanding of how to see values properly your colored paintings will visually sing a symphony, both is unified and dynamic.
MATERIALS:
- Bring all of your alla prima supplies from the *Alla Prima Painting Materials List*.
- Setup your still-life as shown in example (will be posted on the facebook group prior to class).
- Make sure the glass jar has any paper or labels removed
- Make sure the fabric is a white or tan color with no printed decoration or textural patterns of any kind (a simple bed sheet or pillowcase will be perfect).
- A single light source pointed at the still life (best not to this study with direct sunlight interfering).
- A panel thinly primed with raw umber paint (can be primed in acrylics) * IF YOU PRIME PANEL IN OILS DO THIS AT LEAST 3 DAYS BEFORE THIS CLASS*
February 3rd
Figure Drawing Class 3
“Longer Poses and Detailed Forms”
Using a sketchbook/ sketch-block of your choice, we will dive into a life drawing session mainly focused on 20-45 minute long poses. We will dive into more specific rendering techniques as we also take a closer look at certain body parts, such as the hands and feet.
MATERIALS:
- sketchbook of your choice.
- A variety of drawing supplies including but not limited to a range of graphite pencils and colored pencils.
- a box cutter/ exacto-knife for sharpening the pencils.
February 5th
Alla Prima Class 3
“Paint a Glass Jar with Something in It”
For our third alla prima painting class, we will paint a glass jar with something in it. What’s in it? Perhaps dried peppers or flowers, perhaps some butterfly wings, perhaps a sentimental memento that is particularly beautiful to you… perhaps some moss and a cinnamon stick! It’s upto you. The purpose if this lesson is to practice painting the distortion and warping effect that glass has on what it contains.
MATERIALS:
- Bring all of your alla prima supplies from the *Alla Prima Painting Materials List*.
- Setup your still life as shown in example (will be posted on facebook group).
- A single light source pointed at the still life (best not to do with direct sunlight interfering).
- A panel thinly primed with raw umber paint (can be primed in acrylics) * IF YOU PRIME PANEL IN OILS DO THIS AT LEAST 3 DAYS BEFORE THIS CLASS*
February 10th
Figure Drawing Class 4
“One Long Pose”
For the final figure drawing class we will focus all of our efforts on one long pose.
This long pose will be between 3 - 3.5 hours long.
MATERIALS:
- A black and white printout of the long pose.
- A sketchbook of your choice for the warm-up poses.
- One nice piece of A3 sized toned paper (not too dark) clipped or taped to a board/ hard surface (example provided).
- An HB Pencil (for construction).
- One darker colored pencil of your choice, and one light, vibrant colored pencil (chose two colors that you feel work well together).
- A white pencil/ white fine liner/white charcoal pencil/ white conte crayon (one of any of these will work perfectly.
- A box cutter/ exacto-knife for sharpening our tools.
February 12th
Alla Prima Class 4
“Dynamic Still Life”
For our final alla prima painting class we will paint a dynamic still life together. This will combine and test run the principles learned in earlier lessons as well as challenge us to be more loose and general with our brushwork. Our still life will include, a jar half filled with water, a plant of our choice, a multicolored apple front and center, all resting on white drapery.
MATERIALS:
- Bring all of your alla prima supplies from the *Alla Prima Painting Materials List*.
- Setup your still life as shown in example (will be posted on the facebook group prior to class).
- A panel thinly primed with raw umber paint (can be primed in acrylics) * IF YOU PRIME PANEL IN OILS DO THIS AT LEAST 3 DAYS BEFORE THIS CLASS*