MODULE The Art of graining and faux marble

Overview:
Come and join us in beautiful southwest France to study with a master in the art of graining and marbling!  In this class Michel Nadaï will show you how to paint imitation woods and marbles in a realistic manner.  You will discover and study how to properly use the tools that will help you in executig realistic renderings.  You will also learn how to make the various types of glazes that will allow you execute faux woods and faux marbles.  Besides having the opportunity to have hands-on practice with a renown master, you will received individualized attention and feedback thanks to the limited number of students per class.  Each subject is covered in depth and each student will go back with the samples that they created in class.  You will not only learn the techniques but you will also be creating your own portfolio of wood graining and imitation marble.

 

Outline of the program :*
A decorative painter's training starts with the essential steps, mainly with the study of graining and marbling: generalities, use of graining and marbling, glazes, palettes, learning how to use specific tools, learning the specific brushstrokes, studying the structure of the wood and/or marble, the color,  the effects, crystallization and overglaze.  Let Michel show you how!  Daily practical and theoretical demonstrations are followed by immediate hands-on exercises.

What you will learn:
- Preparing the substrates (theory)
- How to care for your tools and other materials.
- How to properly use the various tools (brushes, steel combs, comté crayons...) in order to create convincing renderings.
- Study of the various species of wood (growth, structure...).
- Study of how to execute realistic wood graining.
- Study of the various types of marble (formation, patterns...).
- Study of how to execute realistic marbles.
- How to prepare and use various kinds of glazes (oil-based, water-based...) in order to execute realistic woods and marbles.
- How to do the groundwork, the overglaze and crystallization.
- How to protect your work.

Training method and certification of the course - How the course is taught:
- Theoretical explanations and demonstrations on a daily basis.
- Immediate hands on practice through daily exercises.
- Students create individual panels of graining and marbling, thereby creating samples for their future portfolio.
- Instructor folows through each student's progress on a daily basis.
- Students receive the school's Certificate upon completion of the course.

Who is this for?
This course is open to all levels, from beginners to more advanced.  However, we advise persons who wish to attend only weeks 3 and 4 to have some prior experience in graining and marbling or to contact us before registering. 
 

WEEKLY PROGRAM

Week 1 - Wood Graining Level I 
September 16th, 2024 to September 20th, 2024 - (5 days / 35 hours)
Pine (heart grain and straight grain), Maple (heart grain and straight grain), Oak (Straight Grain):
Generalities, glazes, palettes, learning how to use specific tools, learning the specific brushstrokes, studying the structure of the wood, the color, the effects, the overglaze.

Week 2 - Faux marble (marbling) Level I
September 23rd, 2024 to September 27th, 2024 - (5 days / 35 hours)
White veined marble, Portor marble, Rouge Languedoc marble:
Generalities, glazes, palettes, learning how to use specific tools, learning the specific brushstrokes, studying the structure of the marbles, the color, the effects, crystallization.

Week 3 - Wood Graining Level II
Septembre 30th, 2024 to October 4th, 2024 - (5 days / 35 hours)
Oak (heart grain and silver grain), Walnut (heart grain, straight grain, burl), Mahogany (flame), root of Thuya:
Generalities, glazes, palettes, learning how to use specific tools, learning the specific brushstrokes, studying the structure of the wood, the color, the effects, the overglaze.

Week 4 - Faux marble (marbling) Level II
October 7th, 2024 to October 11th, 2024 - (5 days / 35 hours)
Sea Green marble, Yellow Sienna marble, Sarrancolin marble:
Generalities, glazes, palettes, learning how to use specific tools, learning the specific brushstrokes, studying the structure of the marbles, the color, the effects, crystallization.

*Outline of the program is for informative purpose; the program may therefore receive modifications if necessary
*Possibility of taking the module in its entirety, or taking the week(s) of your choice. Please contact school for more information and to learn about registration procedures.
 

Dates :  
September 16th, 2024 to October 11th, 2024 (4 weeks / 140 hours of class).

Venue :  Atelier Nadaï, 8 rue François Arago, 47000 Agen, France.
We are located in the town of Agen, which is conveniently located in between Bordeaux and Toulouse.  Agen can be reached by bullet train from Paris, either directly from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport or from Montparnasse train station.  There are a number of domestic flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to either Bordeaux or Toulouse, from where Agen is just an 1 hour train ride.  For more information on accommodation in Agen and how to get to the new venue please don't hesitate to write to us.

Who can apply : 
This course is open to beginners or professionals looking for a complete and in-depth training in wood graining and faux marbles.
For those who wish to register for weeks 3 and 4 only, please contact us beforehand.

Instructors:
Michel Nadaï, recipient of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France award (Best Craftsman of France award).  Author of the book 'Art & Techniques of Decorative Painting'.
Pierre Le Goariguer, master decorative painter and instructor

Certification of the course : 
Students receive the school's Certificate upon completion of the course.  Certificate will mention that he or she studied with a recipient of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France award (Best Craftsman of France award).

Course tuition
3220,00 euros net for 140 hours of class
- Course fee exempted of French V.A.T.
- Prices valid until December 31st, 2024

Tuition includes:
- Instructors' live instructions and daily critic of your work
- Free use of oil paints, acrylic paints, mediums, solvants
- Supports to paint on (kraft paper, mylar).
- Class materials (photocopies and written materials)
- Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits.

Not included in tuition:
- Brushes and tools and personal sundry items
- Please note that the school does not provide meals or accommodation and these are not included in the course fee. Each student will be in charge of meals and accommodation as well as travel expenses. Information on accommodation is available upon request.

Regarding brushes:
- Student will be asked to bring or purchase specialized brushes and other sundry items such as ruler, compass, pencils, eraser, notebook. (You can count approximately 880 euros for tools, brushes and sundry items).  To facilitate things for our students, brush sets are available for purchase on our online store.  If you already have decorative painting brushes needed for the course, you will not be required to purchase a new set of brushes. 

Training materials:
To find out more about the equipment and materials provided by Atelier Nadaï throughout the course, please click here.

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