Pages

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Illustration Master Class! Part I

I'm still trying to formulate something meaningful and more articulate than... wow..... what an amazing week! I don't think I've been successful thus far. Suffice it to say that The Illustration Master Class was an experience that will hopefully inspire and inform my work for some time to come!

In some ways it felt a lot like being back in school - being in a studio setting for hours a day with everyone working on their various projects.

There were also a couple of really great lectures a day (complete with giant, projected computer slide shows, or live Wacom Tablet drawing for all to see). I took a ton of notes and have lists of things to now follow up on - on both professional practices and artistic approaches.


We were learning and doing so much (from 9am-11pm+ at night with just a bit of break time for eating) that I think ours heads hurt.

And the instructors! Unbelievable! the quality and experience of these incredible, top-of-their-field artists! Who were also incredibly giving and generous with their time and input. (Donato Giancola and Boris Vallejo shown here).


And also with bringing piles of original art (paintings here by Gregory Manchess) - printed work always pales in comparison to the real thing. To see the colors and textures and brushstrokes up close and personal was incredibly informative as well as absolutely beautiful.

It was eight days of artartart - all day, every waking minute. It was so great to not have to think about cooking or cleaning or carpooling - just learning and creating. And being absolutely surrounded by 70+ like-minded souls. (That certainly helped mitigate the humidity that I am no longer the least bit used to).

More tomorrow....

5 comments:

michelle said...

Isn't it amazing to be in such a thrilling environment for learning? Just being surrounded with people creating and talking about creating is amazing! I can't wait to hear more about it.

andrea said...

Wow. What a fantastic experience. I'm so glad you got so much out of it.

I applied for a scholarship to a summer school of the arts (also 8 days) this summer but didn't get it and was so disappointed. They offered me a small bursary but it was out of my reach. Maybe next year!

natural attrill said...

Sounds absolutely fantastic!
Glad you took the time to go after all the hard work you've been doing lately. I wonder what influence all this has on your own work.
P.x

Unknown said...

Yay for school! I'm have a history of dropping in and dropping out at different times in my life.

Classes can charge my creative batteries, but I always drop out as soon as someone tries to instill their doctrine in me (even though this is the time honored learning method for the arts. In the old days as in the old days artists would learn under the tutelage of a "master". I have a problem with authority figures-- I think I know the best!)

What I enjoy is learning a few tricks to get me where I want to go-- which it looks like that is what a "Master Class" is all about.

I'm glad to hear that you had a fantastic time!

Anonymous said...

This sounds like heaven! What a way to fill your creative well.