This course is very useful for working artists who would like to concentrate on aspects of decorative painting. We study examples of historical decorative painting cycles here in Florence, and spend studio time concentrating on composition of ornament, colour schemes, decorative brush work and the rendering of form with decorative brushwork. You have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Renaissance Italian masterworks and key your work to very high standard.

The paints used are casein paints on a gesso ground, and a knowledge of these materials is recommended to participate in the advanced painting course, although not obligatory. See introductory painting course.

Of additional interest to advanced students are visits to other artisan workshops in the artisan quarter. Depending on the interests of the group, we can visit artisans specializing in ecological decorative wall finishes and restoration, scagliola and marble inlay, and florentine painted paper.

Alison Woolley Bukhgalter, practicing professional decorative painter spends plenty of one on one time with the students in the advanced painting classes. Students work on 2 decorative panels during the 5 day program.

To view some of Alison's latest work click here
To consult with Alison, or send photos:


Course Schedule:
Monday: intro to workshop, sanding of 1st panel, preparation of second panel with gesso sketching of design for first panel.
Tuesday: sketching of second panel, some colour mixing.
Wednesday: Meet in the Piazza Signoria outside the Palazzo Vecchio. We go together to visit the painted rooms of the 'town hall' of Florence, examine our sketches from the previous day and make colour notes on one specific grottesca from the wall decorations. Back at the studio, we elaborate on this.
Thursday: colour mixing and painting,
Friday: Painting and antiquing, visits to artisan workshops

Example projects:


About the teacher: Alison Woolley Bukhgalter is an award winning graduate of the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, Canada. She has been working in the decorative painting field since 1987, and is the head painter for the Bottega d'Arte workshop in Florence Italy, a position she has held since 1992. The Bottega d'Arte creates traditional decorated Italian furniture for private commissions, and for interior design companies. Quite often the pieces or 'lines' created are exclusive to these companies and therefore cannot be listed here. Pieces created by the Bottega d'Arte appear regularly at important design shows such as Abitare il Tempo in Verona, Macef in Milan, Highpoint in North Carolina , and in the Architectural Digest Magazine (Ediziona Italiana). To view some work by AlisonBukhgalter click here.

For more information and registration please write to

In North America call or fax our toll free number: 1 800 420 5531

or see the contact us page
 

Please keep in mind that August is a traditional summer break in Italy. Most schools, artisan workshops, businesses, etc. are closed, therefore courses and the Artisan Quarter tour may not be available during that month. Check Italian public holidays before you plan your trip.

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