**Sculpture Sketch Course with Mario Castillo (Tuesdays from 5:30pm to 7:30pm)**

In this course, the student will work on a sculptural composition exercise. Throughout the classes, you will have the opportunity to create a unique and meaningful sculptural piece by learning to conceptualize and compose through preliminary sketches.

Our approach is divided into two key areas:

Exploration of Sculptural Language: We will guide you in the search for original and meaningful ideas in sculpture, recognizing that a work of art is never truly finished but rather an ongoing process of dialogue and collective learning.

Technical Development and Precise Observation: You will learn to observe the natural world in greater detail and reinforce your anatomical and structural knowledge. You will master fundamental strategies to handle transitions and capture precise information at each stage of the process.

Course Outline:

Introduction and Initial Steps: General course presentation and creation of preliminary drawings from a live model to prepare for the conceptual and compositional study of the sculpture.

Construction and Development: You will progress by building a basic armature that reflects your sketches. Your sculpture will have a size between 30 to 40 centimeters in its longest dimension.

Investigative Process: Over eight days, you will develop your sculpture. You will shape the general form in clay over two days, then work on intermediate volumes and minor transitions over the next two days. Two days will be allocated for adjusting major lines and structures, and the final two days will focus on refining details and necessary decisions.

Course Objectives:

Create an original sculpture using the resources and support provided by the course.

Translate abstract ideas into drawings and then transform them into three-dimensional forms using appropriate sculpting techniques.

Identify structural, proportional, and mass-related issues at different stages and work on detailed transitions without losing sight of the overall form.

Lead a coherent and honest conceptual and compositional proposal from the inception of ideas to materialization, understanding that the process is as valuable as the final result.

At the end of the term, during the last week, the student will have the opportunity to learn how to make the mould of the last sculpture he/she did during the course.

We will provide a list of recommended tools and materials, though you are also welcome to use your own tools if you have them.

**Sculpture Studies Course with Joel Llopis (Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30pm) or Angelica Arvylàs (Thursdays from 5:30pm to 7:30pm)**

In this course, the student is introduced to the exploration of the human figure in order to be able to understand it and represent it accurately.

You will delve into the body's internal structure and distinct anatomical elements while working from live models. You'll grasp the nuances of balance and pose dynamics. With keen observation and thoughtful planning, you'll sculpt with precision from every angle, understanding how each element interacts to form spatial relationships and harmonious volumes.

For this exercise, we will work with white clay on a metal stand, standing at approximately 30 cm in height. All levels are welcome and there will be introductory lectures at the beginning of the class for everybody. Each student will also receive a personal critique every day. For those who are more advanced, we'll explore topics like composition, foreshortening in intricate poses, and perfecting the final stages of modeling.

At the end of the term, during the last week, the student will have the opportunity to learn how to make the mould of the last sculpture he/she did during the course.

We will provide a list of recommended tools and materials, though you are also welcome to use your own tools if you have them.

In this Drawing and Painting Portrait Sketch course, we will lay the foundations to develop an efficient and fast work process based on the anatomy, structure, volumes, and chiaroscuro effects that light creates on the human head and face.

In each session, a different model will adopt the same pose during the 2-hour class.

Students will work firstly with dry techniques (pencil and charcoal) following a series of logical steps that will allow them to obtain fresh, expressive, and realistic results. It is recommended that students start with drawing techniques, and progressively move on to the use of paint, first in grisaille (shades of gray) and then using different color palettes.

We recommend that students have some prior experience in drawing the human figure and oil painting techniques to fully benefit from this course.

It's important to note that materials are not included, but we will provide a materials list in the confirmation email.

By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the foundational skills necessary to continue their artistic journey in portraiture with confidence and proficiency.

Our introductory portrait class at the Barcelona Academy of Art offers an immersive experience designed to refine the student's understanding of facial anatomy and precision in portraiture. Throughout the course, students will engage in comprehensive study sessions with a single model, allowing for a profound exploration of facial features and expression.

Under the guidance of experienced instructors, students will begin an 11-week exploration of capturing the human face in a long pose portrait. This extended duration enables students to deeply investigate the nuances of facial structure, proportions, and the subtle interplay of light and shadow.

Through a combination of observational drawing and anatomical study, students will gradually refine their techniques, moving towards achieving increasingly realistic and lifelike representations of the model.

It's important to note that materials are not included, but we will provide a materials list in the confirmation email.

By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the foundational skills necessary to continue their artistic journey in portraiture with confidence and proficiency.

In the Human Figure Pencil Drawing evening courses, each session features a new model maintaining the same pose for 2 hours.

Sessions are held on Monday and Tuesday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, and on Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm. Students have the option to register for one or more days, but it must be the same day(s) throughout the 11-week term.

The main objective is learning the process of constructing the human figure following the school's academic methodologies, including the Sight-Size and Comparative methods. Students begin by sketching on DIN-A4 paper with a graphite pencil. Drawing forms the backbone of the academic process at the Barcelona Academy of Art. Without a solid foundation in drawing, most of the challenges encountered throughout an artistic career become significantly harder to overcome. Only when the student demonstrates mastery of drawing techniques according to the academic methodologies we employ at our school will they be ready to progress to painting.

This is a practical course where each student works on drawing a live model. The instructor gives personalized feedback, checking in with each student once per session to offer specific guidance. The course is not theoretical or focused on constant supervision; it’s designed to encourage independent practice with support from the instructor.

Please note that missed classes cannot be made up. Additionally, materials are not included, but a list of required materials will be provided with the confirmation email.

This course is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the fundamental techniques of drawing and painting, following the academic method approach.

First Half of the Course: Drawing

In the first part of the course, students will immerse themselves in the world of drawing, exploring key techniques and essential concepts. They will create compositions of still life, portraits, and human figures, working with photographic references. The primary materials used will be pencil and charcoal, which are ideal for mastering textures, proportions, lines, and shading. These exercises are specifically designed for beginners, helping them build confidence and accuracy in their drawing skills.

Second Half of the Course: Painting

The second half of the course shifts focus to painting, with an emphasis on color theory and the core techniques of oil painting. Students will learn to paint in grisaille, understand light and shadow, and apply layering techniques to create depth and volume in their artwork.

Teaching Methodology

The course is structured to encourage independent and progressive learning. During each session, the instructors will circulate once or twice to provide individualized feedback on students’ work. This approach allows each student to progress at their own pace, explore freely, and learn through hands-on practice — an essential component of the artistic process. We want to emphasize that this is not a private lesson, but rather a shared space designed to support each student’s creative development with the close guidance of the instructors.

Course Structure and Schedule

The course is divided into two parts: the first half focuses on drawing, while the second half centers on painting. Students can attend one or two classes per week, on Mondays and/or Wednesdays. Please note that if you choose to attend only one class per week, fewer exercises will be completed, but the content will still be comprehensive. Each group consists of approximately 14 students per instructor, ensuring a personalized learning experience in a collaborative environment.

TOOLS & RESOURCES

Designed for advanced students who have completed the Drawing Program, this course provides essential skills and knowledge about techniques and materials used in oil painting.

• Introduction and Preparing Supports
• Imprimaturas and Underpainting Techniques
• Brushes, Palette Knives, and Mark-Making Techniques; Oil Paints
• Psychology for Artists
• Contemporary Figurative Artists You Should Know
• Uses of Photoshop
• Marketing for Artists
• Professional Practices – Presenting, Framing, and Pricing Artwork
• Guest Artist Talks

This course is recommended for students who have completed the Drawing Program. It focuses on the process of constructing landscapes using oil paint. Through various observation methods, students will learn to meticulously analyze composition, perspective, color application, and more, aiming to capture the essence of nature as authentically as possible. This course provides an excellent opportunity to apply different resources in a dynamic environment, where students are challenged to adapt their knowledge to diverse scenarios.

Objectives

• To infuse compositions with emotion, expressiveness, and depth.
• To enhance observation skills and execution speed, resulting in dynamic landscapes.
• To master various perspectives in both natural and urban settings.

Please note that materials are not included. On the first day of the course, there will be an introductory session at the Academy where instructors will explain the course and the materials needed. For the rest of the 10-week term, every Friday from 10 am to 2 pm, teachers will select different locations in Barcelona or its surroundings for painting sessions.

Course for advanced students who have completed the Drawing Program.

This course is focused on color theory and its practical application. Students will learn to select colors, analyze different palettes, to mix and match them. They will also complete practical exercises and learn the most important shortcuts and tips to quickly find the optimal color for each brushstroke and immediately analyze its compatibility with the rest of the composition. The course also teaches students to prepare their own oil paintings, and how to organize and handle them on the palette.

In-depth knowledge of paint as a material and the composition of each color are essential tools for the artist to have flexibility and confidence when painting. For this same reason, this course will also focus on the study of the different types of materials, supports, oils, mediums, and brushes.

The Sculpture Portrait course focuses on the process of constructing a three-dimensional portrait with clay, employing a live model for reference. Students will explore diverse observational techniques to master proportion, gesture, and internal structure, to capture the essence of the individual being portrayed by aiming for likeness and expression.

This course takes place once a week on Fridays from 2 to 5 pm, featuring a live model who maintains the same pose throughout the term.

The trimester spans 11 weeks, but during the last week, known as "Casting Week", students learn to make molds of the sculptures they have created during the trimester.

Clay is included; however, tools and other necessary materials are the responsibility of the student. A detailed list of materials will be provided along with the confirmation email.

The expressive drawing course provides students with a unique chance to explore their personal artistic expressions.

With a live model present, students experience a more dynamic and stimulating drawing session, trying to swiftly and accurately capture the human figure. Short poses, lasting either 2, 5 or 10 minutes, are used in artistic drawing to refine observational skills, execution speed, and spontaneity in strokes. Within this time-constrained environment, students learn to make quick decisions and rely on their artistic instincts.

Through a variety of activities, including free drawing, experimentation with colors and shapes, and exploration of emotional expression, students develop not only their artistic confidence but also their ability to communicate ideas and emotions through art. They embrace mistakes as opportunities for creative growth, fostering a sense of trust in their intuition.

Upon completing the course and returning to the academic drawing program, students bring with them a fresh perspective, enabling them to approach artistic challenges with greater innovation.

Course for beginners. Figurative art implies that the artist knows and dominates the representation of the shapes and characteristics of the human body to perfection. For this, excellent knowledge of the human anatomy is essential to explore the surface of the body and to identify and recognize the bone structure, as well as the muscular and carnal morphology of the figure for the perfect conceptual understanding.

Aims

• To understand the skeletal and muscular structure of the human body: parts, connections, and structure.
• To identify the morphology of muscular masses
• To understand the shape of the human body in a conceptual way.

Course material

Artistic Anatomy, by P.M.L.P. Richer and R. Beverly Hale is recognized as the best anatomy book since the Renaissance. The original 1889 edition was used by Renoir, Braque, Degas or Bazille. The English edition, first published 35 years ago, brings the great 19th century master of artistic anatomy, Dr. Paul Richer, together with the most renowned 20th century master of anatomy and drawing of the human figure, Robert Beverly Hale, who translated and edited the book for the modern reader.

Course for beginners. In order to represent objects and figures as realistically as possible, the effects of light and shadows on them must be understood. In this subject, the student will learn the techniques that create the lights and shadows that can be observed in nature. By controlling the light, this allows more freedom and precision for creation.

Aims

• Understand, identify and know how to place different tones and reflections of light on a specific object and its surroundings.
• Know how to put light in any space, on any type of medium (drawing or painting, traditional or digital) and any kind of work (still life, human figure, portrait, etc.).