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Fine Art Classes

Living Craft: Tad Spurgeon

This series of demonstration workshops is about a living reconstruction of 15th-17th century oil painting technique using primarily traditional materials that are artist-made. They are for painters who are interested in what was lost about oil painting technique over time, the waning of the apprentice system, and the introduction of commercial materials. The emphasis is on how it might be possible to recover a more dynamic relationship to the craft by creating a living process of one's own. All classes will have a question and answer period at the end

Making Oil Paint and Traditional Mediums
Saturday, Apr. 26, 10:00am–12:00pm
$60

This class will demonstrate handmade oil paint, including methods suggested by recent conservation research, and offer a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of handmade paint versus tube paint. It will cover the various optical qualities of pigments: transparent, translucent, and opaque, and how these affect the paint in use. The traditional oil varnishes of older painting will be covered: Amber, Copal, Sandarac, and their properties in use. The 14th century "Strassburg" method, the oldest recorded oil painting technique, will be explored in detail. The spirit varnishes, those diluted with a solventwill also be covered, including the use of Dammar, Canada Balsam, Silver Fir, and the family of mediums based on these. The pros and cons of mastic gel mediums will be presented, including a formula for Roberson's medium, as used by the Pre-Raphaelites. Appropriate medium choice for direct and indirect painting will be covered, along with couch techniques and mediums used for painting in layers. A complete formula and supplier information sheet will be provided."

Oil Painting Outside: Tips and Tricks from a Decade in the Field
Thursday, May 29, 10:00am–12:00pm
$60

An informational workshop designed to take the mystery out of outdoor painting. The many aspects of working in the field will be covered including: a brief history of outdoor oil painting, easel selection, easel position, color selection, medium possibilities, necessary clothing, drawing and underpainting, brushes, and various traditional and modern supports for painting outside. Several approaches from classical to modern will be discussed, including a reconstruction of the outdoor method of French landscape painter Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot. Tad will illustrate examples of different techniques and materials from his own collection of outdoor work. Painting experience is helpful but not necessary.

Making and Working on Panels
Thursday, Jun. 5, 10:00am–12:00pm
$60

This workshop will cover the advantages of panels over unsupported canvas, demonstration of several types of panels, including linen over panel, traditional glue gesso formulas and variations, applying gesso, absorbent and non-absorbent surfaces. Tad will discuss of several traditional methods of underpainting on panel. Students will be introduced to the highly permanent tempera grassa or egg-oil emulsion family of mediums, formulas for these and demonstration of how the variations on these mediums operate in practice. Complete formula and supplier information sheet will be available.

New Old Master Painting with Putty Mediums
Thursday, Jun. 12, 10:00am–12:00pm
$60

Participants will be introduced to a group of mediums based on modern conservation research into the paint medium used by Rembrandt and Velasquez. These mediums use a combination of oil and various types of ground stone, such as chalk or marble dust, to produce a translucent, but adhesive putty which is then mixed with the paint before painting. A great variety of techniques are possible using this material. This system also makes it possible to paint in traditional oil paint without the use of any solvent. Making and storing various putties will be demonstrated, along with a comparison of the characteristics of specific putty ingredients, both traditional and of modern origin. Complete formula and supplier information sheet will be available.

For more information on these workshops please visit the teaching page at www.tadspurgeon.com.

All classes in Fine Arts are held at the Gallery studio, 54 Falls Rd.