UPCOMING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS:
“Secret Techniques of the Old Masters” (April 26th thru May 31st)
Held at the Artists of Yardley, http://www.artistsofyardley.org in Yardley Pa. This class runs from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm every Wednesday for 6 weeks starting April 26th thru May 31st. For more information and to sign up, please visit http://www.artistsofyardley.org. Please see class description below.
Oil painting is an extremely versatile medium with a long history dating back to the mid fourteen hundreds. The goal of this course is to provide students with a thorough knowledge of traditional painting techniques such as grisaille, glazing, scumbling, ground preparation and more. The knowledge of these techniques is what allowed artists of centuries past to create such convincing illusions of reality.
Examples of Old Master paintings will be observed and discussed as a way of introducing various techniques. In addition to learning these techniques, students will also develop a deeper understanding of materials.
“Color Concepts” (April 26th thru May 31st)
Held at the Artists of Yardley, http://www.artistsofyardley.org in Yardley Pa. This class runs from 1:30 to 4:30 pm every Wednesday for 6 weeks starting April 26th thru May 31st. For more information and to sign up, please visit http://www.artistsofyardley.org. Please see class description below.
Through various drawing and painting exercises, students will explore different methods of observing color. The course will begin with the introduction of the gray scale, and progress, through specific exercises, to working with a full range of colors in a variety of mediums. Students will learn about the relationship between warm and cool colors and how these play into creating the illusion of light and atmosphere. Layering applications on different surfaces (including pre-toned papers and prepared grounds) will be explored and students will acquire a thorough understanding of color concepts through observational exercises.
“Capturing a Likeness in Oils” (April 27th thru June 1st)
Held at the Artists of Yardley, http://www.artistsofyardley.org in Yardley Pa. This class runs from 1:30 to 4:30 pm every Thursday for 6 weeks starting April 27th thru June 1st. For more information and to sign up, please visit http://www.artistsofyardley.org. Please see class description below.
Learn how to create a portrait with life-like accuracy using the same methodologies employed by the Old Masters. Part of what makes a beautiful and realistic portrait painting is a thorough understanding of each part beginning with a solid foundational drawing which establishes the general proportions. The next step is establishing accurate variants of light and dark value tones to reveal the sculptural form and describe the lighting effect. Color is added over the tonal depiction in varying degrees of opacity and transparency. Developing this type of a systematic approach allows the artist to fully work out potential problems in each phase of the painting process. The emotion, intensity and poetic feeling expressed through the work is derived by the degree to which the artist is able to master each skill. Material preparation, observational drawing, anatomical studies, under painting and glazing are a few of the lessons which will be covered during this class.
“Drawing Concepts” (April 29th thru June 3rd)
Held at the Artists of Yardley, http://www.artistsofyardley.org in Yardley Pa. This class runs from 9 to 11:30 am every Saturday for 6 weeks starting April 29th thru June 3rd. For more information and to sign up, please visit http://www.artistsofyardley.org. Please see class description below.
Drawing is a skill which can be honed to an individual’s personal vision. Any artistic concept, whether it be a simple sketch in pencil or a complex composition in another medium, can be realized through the process of drawing. This class is designed to teach students the basic principles of drawing using a combination of observational and conceptual exercises. Students will learn various techniques such as sight-size/comparative measuring, methods of shading, concepts of perspective and more.
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NEW ONLINE CLASSES:
“Portrait Drawing Master Class” (December 10th thru Jan 14th 2019)
In this five week course we will discuss ways to construct the head and face as a series of simplified planes. Through video demonstrations, student questionnaires and live chats, students will learn how to use a variety of drawing mediums. In the first few classes, emphasis will be placed on measuring techniques to establish accurate proportion paired with an examination of the underlying structures which make up the forms of the face. In addition, students will learn how to work with light and dark values to increase the illusion of depth and three dimensional form in their drawings. As classes progress, more devotion will be given to analyzing specific facial features including their underlying skeletal and muscular structures. This class is great for both beginner and intermediate artists! For anyone interested in portrait painting, I would strongly urge taking this class first to become familiar with the anatomy and proportions of the face.
REGISTRATION CLOSED
If you didn’t get to register this time, please check back here for the Spring I semester online portrait drawing master class. Information will be posted soon!
“Portrait Painting Master Class” (January 21st thru Feb 27th 2019)
In this six week course we will discuss ways to establish accurate proportion, followed by an analysis of the facial anatomy (this is one key factor in creating expression) to mixing the various flesh tones specific to the individual’s complexion. Through video demonstrations, student questionnaires and live chats, students will learn a variety of techniques which will result in a life-like portrayal of human form and expression. In addition, we will discuss how to nail a great composition and bring more emotion into the painting with specific lighting and color choices. These are all things which I have struggled with over the years, and through trial and error I have developed a systematic approach that works! This class shortcuts a lot of the problems that beginners and even experienced portrait painters face. You will learn in a few months what I have spent DECADES learning!
To sign up for this class, click here!
Spots are limited so be sure to secure yours today!
For a complete syllabus, click here
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PRIVATE TEACHING
I offer private instruction for individuals as well as small groups of three students or less and will travel to a location of your choice to fit your busy schedule. The advantage of a private lesson is the one on one instruction which allows for a more rapid progression of a particular skill or methodology. Students interested in this option have the freedom to work on whatever skill they want to improve upon at their own pace in their home or studio. I offer private lessons in drawing, mixed mediums, painting, pastel, or whatever skill you wish to learn or improve upon. If you have a specific interest, please let me know.
Individual Rates:
One and a half hour lesson = $80.00
Two hour lesson = $100.00
Two and a half hour lesson = $120.00
Small group rates (two or three students):
One and a half hour lesson = $115.00
Two hour lesson = $135.00
Two and a half hour lesson = $155.00
Note:
These prices are based on typical class time frames. Longer lessons are certainly available. Please let me know if you are interested in something more in depth. Discounted rates may be offered for multiple lessons paid in advance. There may be an additional fee for significant travel.
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STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“David Rivera is quite simply put, one of the best instructors I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Over the time I spent working with him, I watched as my skill set and technique developed from amateur to truly refined. David takes the time to really teach how to construct a drawing or painting with clear and concise direction. I highly recommend taking lessons with him if you want to master your ability in fine art. Apart from his phenomenal teaching, David is also incredibly knowledgeable concerning the history behind fine art. Not only will one gain valuable tools to approach art, but one will also gain insight into how fine art developed into what it is today. David Rivera is a true professional and always approaches fine art with a confident attitude in whatever mode he may be working in.”
-L. Lorenzo
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the workshop with David Rivera teaching the ‘Secret Techniques of the Old Masters’. Their grisaille method is an exciting way to prepare an image. The 15th and 16th Century artists produced radiant pieces of work using a limited number of pigments. The underpainting executed in a shade of one color, usually grey, molds the form and it’s tonal values, which gives the illusion of sculptural relief.
“This new method that stresses good drawing and tonal values, was in direct contrast to my older ‘Alla Prima’ method of painting. Subsequent color glazes over the underpainting created a luminosity that I’d never experienced before. Guided patiently by Mr. Rivera, we were discovering the genius of oil paint – their potential to create really brilliant detail in jewel-like colors.”
– Jadwiga Wroblewska-Jedrzejczyk
