MODULE The Art of Trompe-l'oeil workshop
When trompe-l'oeil meets the academic tradition

Overview:
The focus of this course will be on building a much greater understanding on the techniques of painting trompe-l’œil, covering the theoretical aspects as well as the actual painting techniques. 

As Michel walks you through the entire technique, you will not only learn what brushes and tools to use, you will also learn the 'language' of architectural trompe-l'œil that will make painting moldings and ornaments much easier once you acquire this vocabulary.  Each panel taught in this course is designed by the instructor and will take into account the training that will lead to mastery in painting trompe-l’œil. 

The art of trompe-l’œil is fascinating.  It is through the study of light and shadow that you will be able to understand how moldings are formed, you will understand the ornamentations of style, the drapery, the anatomy and all sorts of volumes that nature has created around us.  Join us in beautiful southwest France to study with the art of trompe-l'oeil with award-winning decorative painting artist Michel Nadaï, and continue on with us for week 4 to study the Art of Grotesca with Caterina Manisco (click here for more information!).

Whether you are a beginner or a more experienced painter,
trompe-l’œil is an artistic discipline that will allow you to grasp, deepen and even enrichen your artistic statement.
 

Dates:  from October 14th to November 8th, 2024 (4 weeks - 145 hours of class)

Venue:  Atelier Nadaï, 8 rue François Arago, 47000 Agen, France

Our next autumn/winter session will be held in our atelier in the town of AGEN in the Lot et Garonne.  For more information on how to get to our atelier, please click here. 

Who can apply:  This course is open to beginners or professionals, looking for a, in-depth training in rendering decorative architectural moldings and ornaments painted in trompe-l’œil.  Prior experience will not be necessary if you start from week 1.  If you start from week 2, some experience in drawing and painting will be an advantage.

Instructors:
Michel Nadaï (techniques of trompe-l'oeil)
Caterina Manisco (techniques of Grotesca)

Certification of the course :  
Students receive the school's Certificate upon completion of the course. 

Certain changes this year in the trompe-l'oeil course!  We're keeping the basics - the elements of light and shadow, creating patina and aged effects, the ornamentation of style - and we'll be approaching towards the fine arts, where we'll be working on a a still life.

Highlights of the program - What you will learn:*

• Elements of Light and Shadow
• Techniques of striping and faux molding :
   - study of various types of filets (linings) that compose a molding
   - study of various molding profiles
   - acquiring the proper vocabulary of trompe-l'oeil
• Techniques of ornamentation painted in trompe-l’œil :
   - transfering the design using the pouncing technique
   - using the proper tools to render the ornaments of style painted in trompe-l'oeil
   - creating aged effects and patina of ornaments painted in trompe-l'oeil
• Composition of Style
• Techniques of French Grisaille
• Techniques of painting a Grotesca panel with egg tempera (this week is full)
• Students will render several beautiful panels - design will be provided by the instructors.

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 on canvas (design provided by instructor).
- Instructor folows through each student's progress on a daily basis.
- Students receive a Certificate upon completion of the course.

⇒ Scroll down the page to see weekly program

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To receive our course brochure and register to the course please go to Contact and send us an email.

MODULE The Art of Architectural Trompe-l'oeil: Moldings and Ornaments of style painted in trompe-l'oeil

WEEKLY PROGRAM*

Week 1 - October 14th to October 18th, 2024 (5 days/35 hours)
Trompe-l'oeil Level I - Introduction to trompe-l'oeil
Learning how to create linear trompe-l'oeil (linings), to render architectural moldings and ornaments of style painted en trompe-l'oeil.
=>During this week, we will approach trompe-l'œil as applied to the world of decorative painting. Here, the focus will be on creating 'distressed effect' such as patinas that will be the base on which we will paint the architectural trompe-l'oeil, the faux moldings and styling ornamentations.  Work will be done on canvas, using acrylics for the initial stages and oils for the finishing touches, keeping the technique in the domain of the decorative painter's craft.

Week 2 - October 21st to October 25th, 2024 (5 days/35 hours)
Trompe-l'oeil Level II
Rendering a decorative panel with architectural ornaments and moldings of style painted in trompe-l'oeil.
=>During this week, we will revisit the knowledge acquired during week 1 and we will create a decorative panel painted on canvas. This subject will be the preparatory material for week 3.

Week 3  from October 28th to November 1st, 2024 (5 days/35 hours)
Trompe-l'oeil Level III
Rendering a decorative panel with architectural ornaments and moldings of style painted in trompe-l'oeil.
=>During this week, we will set the scene for the academic techniques of Still Life.  Here, the work will approach the so-called "easel trompe-l'oeil" techniques; while the materials used remain the same, the way in which they are applied to achieve realism will be closer with the Fine Arts techniques all the way remaining in the domain of decorative painting.

Weeks 4 - from November 4th to November 8th, 2024 (5 days/40 hours) - COMPLETE
The Art of Grotesca
Decorative panel painted using techniques of Grotesca and tempera taught by master Italian decorative painter Caterina Manisco!

*highlight 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.

exemple of trompe-l'oeil painting with still life

Course tuition: (week 4 - the Art of Grotesca is full)
For weeks 1 to 3: 2510,00 euros net for 105 hours of class.
For weeks 1 to 4: 3570,30 euros net for 145 hours of class (please note that week 4 is complete).

Tuition includes:
- Instructors' live instructions and daily critic of your work
- Free use of oil paints, acrylic paints, mediums, solvants
- Supports to paint on (polyester canvas).
- 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 and tools:
- 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 350 euros to 450 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 this 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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