With the same direct, easy-to-follow approach of Juliette Aristides’s previous books, Lessons in Classical Painting presents aspiring artists with the fundamental skills and tools needed to master painting in the atelier style. With more than 25 years of experience in ateliers and as an art instructor, Aristides pairs personal examples and insights with theory, assignments and demonstrations for readers, discussions of technical issues, and inspirational quotes. After taking a bird’s eye look at painting as a whole, Aristides breaks down painting into big picture topics like grisaille, temperature, and color, demonstrating how these key subjects can be applied by all painters.
Pounced and Twisted Rag Painted Method
This technique produces a heavily glazed surface, but with a more stylized, floral-like texture, because here you use a different hand motion than in traditional rag painting applications.
Because of the twisting, this method is slower than regular pounced rag finishes, making it harder to keep a wet edge and blend work areas into one another.
For this reason, this finish is recommended for smaller surfaces.
Preparation
Prepare your surface according to the instructions in the basic ragging tutorial, and use the same list of tools and materials to gather your supplies for this project.
Allow the base coat to dry overnight before applying the glaze.
Application
1) Crumple a clean rag and dip it into the glaze. Don’t squeeze out the excess liquid prior to application – the glaze should be sopped liberally onto the surface.
Keep the rag crumpled to create a noticeable texture.
2) Apply the glaze to the project area with a pouncing and twisting repetitive motion.
Twist the rag clockwise on the surface for one imprint, and counter-clockwise for the next one, and so on – this will result in a more random effect.
3) Stand back often and evaluate your work – it’s easier to correct any obvious mistakes inconspicuously while the glaze is still wet, but small detail can be touched up with a corner of your rag even after the glaze has dried – so leave perfecting for last!
Get into the corners and edges as you get to them.
NOTE: The thick application of the glaze will provide a predictable final color, but the base coat still makes a difference:
The photo above shows the same glaze color but applied over a darker base for a less contrasting, more blended look.
Praise for Figure Drawing Atelier: An Instructional Sketchbook
“Once again, Juliette Aristides proves how gifted she is, not only as a draftsman, but also as a cogent communicator of complex information. The close, living connection between past and present is apparent in her art and her teaching: what a rare pleasure, for example, to admire a historical master such as Michelangelo alongside a contemporary one like Steven Assael! Aristides generously helps her readers – even those of us who do not draw – see and appreciate the excellence in every era.” — Peter Trippi, editor-in-chief, Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, New York
“Aristides, a true giant of art educational books advances the format once again with Figure Drawing Atelier. At last we have a volume that connects the transitions of constructive drawing with optical approaches in an elegant and comprehensive way. It’s an exciting time in the world of art as optical and constructive approaches come together deftly in Figure Drawing Atelier. The synthesis is powerful and is sure to empower generations of artists to realize their creative potential.” — Joshua Jacobo, Founder and CEO of New Masters Academy
“Juliette Aristides’ new book ‘Figure Drawing Atelier’ beautifully presents the most important aspects of classical life drawing in a simple and straightforward manner. Every figurative artist, no matter what his or her level should have this book on their studio shelf.” — Jon deMartin author of Drawing Atelier
Figure Drawing Atelier was featured as the number one pick this September by My Modern Met in their “10 Art Books That Will Nourish Your Creative Soul”
Visit the list online HERE>>>
Beginning Drawing Atelier, with its unique workbook approach, and high-quality paper, offers a comprehensive and contemporary twist on traditional Atelier art instruction practices. Atelier education is centered on the belief that working in a studio, not sitting in the lecture hall, is the best place to learn about art. Every artist needs to learn basic drawing skills.
Beginning Drawing Atelier is like having an atelier in a book–and the master is Juliette Aristides, a classically trained artist. On every page, Aristides uses the works of Old Masters and today’s most respected realist artists to demonstrate and teach the principles of realist drawing and painting, taking students step by step through the learning curve yet allowing them to work at their own pace. Unique and inspiring, the approach in this new book offers serious art courses for serious art students.
5 Stars on Amazon.com
“Delightfully elegant and rational, Beginning Drawing Atelier carries you through the rigors of learning how to draw, like a master, ever so gently. All five books by Juliette Aristides are treasures, but this is perhaps the most engaging and impactful in fostering visual literacy. It is a book to experience. By its last page, you will be left with a poetic sense of the world.” —Milène J. Fernández, writer and contributor to theeepochtimes.com
“I have met many thousands of artists over the last fifty years of painting and thirty-five years of making paint. Very rarely do I meet someone who is as good at writing as she is at her visual art. Juliette Aristides is one such person–both a terrific writer and great artist.” —Robert Gamblin, founder of Gamblin Artist Colors
“There are few who know about classical painting like Juliette Aristides. The book is the next best thing to studying with her in person.” —B. Eric Rhoads, publisher of Fine Art Connoisseur and PleinAir magazines
”Juliette Aristides, a leader in the revival of classical realism, outlines ways anyone can learn to draw—and why it’s imperative for today’s society.” —John Burger, writer and reporter, ALETEIA.COM
Read more reviews for Beginning Drawing Atelier HERE>>
