DECORATIVE PAINTING COURSES
DECORATIVE PAINTING COURSES & DETAILS
We have two in-person Decorative Painting courses that we teach in our studio; Introduction to Decorative Painting and Advanced Decorative Painting. Both of these courses are taught by Alison Woolley. Alison is a a master artisan recognised by the region of Tuscany. She has over 20 years experience teaching decorative arts and she specialises in hand painted decoration using traditional media.
Please see details for each course below. If you would like to book in for one of the courses, please complete our Course Enquiry Form
Dates
Courses are scheduled depending on demand. If a course has been scheduled, exact dates can be found in the table below the course.
Accommodation
There are many hotels, apartments and agriturismo options for your stay in Tuscany. The studio is located in the picturesque setting of the Santuario del Carmine near Anghiari. You will need a car to get there, or ask us about taxi services from Arezzo train station. Pick-up and drop-off within a 5km radius of the studio is available upon request. Please contact us if you would like recommendations on where to stay during your course.
Durations
Courses are usually held over three to five days. Particular durations will be stated once a course is scheduled. Class times are from 9 am to 2pm unless otherwise stated. Free studio time is available in the afternoons.
Location
All in-person courses take place in our studio near Anghiari:
Località il Carmine
Anghiari (AR) 52031
Italia
We also hold retreat courses in which students stay and learn in different beautiful locations around Italy.
Teacher
Alison Wooley teaches all courses. Alison is the owner of the FlorenceArt.Net studio and has been teaching for over 20 years. Please see the About page for more information about Alison
Registration
To register for a course, please complete the Course Enquiry Form to confirm its availability. We will then contact you to complete registration. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
INTRODUCTION TO DECORATIVE PAINTING
Learn traditional techniques for producing genuine Florentine artisan decorated panels, furniture and frames.
Course description:
This course is useful for those who wish to understand the processes involved in producing traditional Florentine painted decoration, mostly intended for wooden surfaces. Several hands on projects help to illustrate the aspects of this type of decorative work. The focus for the first exercise panel is on creating one small example of dimensional ornament, ( for example: a rosette), using two different approaches to shading or chiaroscuro work.
Antiquing techniques will also be explored using this panel. We will then move on to a simple monochromatic decoration, concentrating on the aspects of decorative brushwork. In the meantime we produce a number of small sample panels and mouldings to cover various aspects of surface preparation, antiquing and finishing.
During the course you will learn about:
-
How to prepare wooden pieces for painting
-
Techniques for making a traditional gesso ground
-
Use of casein paints, lime paints, and ground pigments
-
The basics of shading or "chiaroscuro" work
-
Introductory aspects of composition and familiarization with styles of historical ornament
-
Basic application of metal leaf with gold size techniques
-
Various finishing techniques with varnish or shellac
-
Antiquing, waxing and patina
The courses take place within the artist's studio near Anghiari, a working art studio producing decoration for furniture and walls for the international interior design industry. Students can observe and learn from their surroundings as well as from the teaching. Students explore the historical aspects of Italian arts and crafts and gain an understanding of the high quality materials and craftsmanship involved in the production of them. The course is meant to be inspirational as well as educational.
Course level:
All levels are welcome on this course. Teaching is in English or Italian. The group size is limited to a maximum of 5 participants per course.
Projects per student:
• 1 gilded and painted tray
• 1 panel with simple two tone decoration
• sample mouldings with various finishes for wooden furniture
• extra sample panels can be produced according to speed and desire of individual students to explore new techniques under the guidance of the teacher.
EXAMPLE PROJECTS
COURSE DATES AND FEES
Techniques | Course Name | Description | Course Dates | Fees | Location |
|---|
JOINING THIS COURSE
If you are interested in joining this course, please complete our Course Enquiry Form or email info@florenceart.net
ADVANCED DECORATIVE PAINTING
Study simple techniques to strengthen the most important aspects of your decorative painting.
Course description:
This course concentrates on Grottesca ornament which is versatile and colorful. This style has a long history going back to the decoration of Roman villas but has been adapted and used effectively by artists throughout the centuries up to the present day. It is a great style for studying various aspects of decorative painting work because it can include subject matter as varied as human figures, animals, insects, ribbons, foliage swirls, and architectural elements. All are handled with a light touch and not overworked. The overall effect of Grottesca decoration is almost always light and airy, colorful and playful. Advanced students can choose to apply the techniques to subjects other than grottesca ornament, such as still life or botanical subject matter.
You will learn the following:
-
Painting techniques for colorful ornament such as the use of a monochromatic underpainting, or a the use of a limited palette
-
Techniques of different water based media such as casein paint, acrylics, egg tempera and pure pigments, or the mische technique which combines oil and egg tempera painting techniques.
-
Composition of ornament based on historical styles
-
Developing colour schemes for decorative work
-
Using paints and materials (base coats and grounds) effectively to obtain beautiful hand painted effects and patinas
-
The rendering of form with shading (chiaroscuro)
-
Decorative brushwork
Course Level:
This course is very useful for artists or decorators who would like to concentrate on specific aspects of decorative painting that will strengthen their work. Each student will have a choice of which projects they wish to realize. One choice can be to produce decorative panels on canvas with techniques suitable for wall decoration, or wooden panels with the correct preparation and ground for wooden surfaces. Additional small sample panels can be produced according to speed and desire of individual students to explore new techniques and materials of interest under the guidance of the teacher. Located in a beautiful monastery in the Tuscan countryside, students have the opportunity to be inspired by Renaissance Italian masterworks in surrounding towns and study examples of historical decorative painting.
EXAMPLE PROJECTS
COURSE DATES AND FEES
Techniques | Course Name | Description | Course Dates | Fees | Location |
|---|
JOINING THIS COURSE
If you are interested in joining this course, please complete our Course Enquiry Form or email info@florenceart.net
OTHER DECORATIVE PAINTING TECHNIQUES
Courses and private lessons can be requested in a particular technique or combination of your choice. See below for some of the more popular decorative painting areas but if you would like something else then please do not hesitate to contact us.
CHINOISERIE PANEL
Example learning objectives:
• Become familiar with this elegant European style used for furniture and wall coverings
• learn to work with materials for wooden panels and furniture
• learn important elements of composition for a decorative panel
• learn simple techniques for the use of gold leaf in chinoiserie
• make two samples of chinoiserie ornament
About the content:
Lessons deal with the whimsical Chinoiserie style, popular in Europe since the 17th century. The style developed when Europeans, intrigued by the exotic east, created imagery of an imaginary China in this decorative style. We explore the rich colours, shiny finished surfaces and gilt accents of this style while creating two lovely panels as samples for you to take away.
EXAMPLE PROJECTS
GROTTESCA
Example learning objectives:
• become familiar with famous Italian style of "Grottesca (grotesque)" ornament and learn its history.
• learn to work with materials for wall decoration and for wooden panels.
• create a rich and harmonious colour palette
• make a two or three sample panels of Grottesca (grotesque) ornament for your portfolio
About the content:
Focus on the decorative style called "Grottesca (grotesque)" that characterizes many famous interiors in Florence and Rome. Grottesca (grotesque) decoration is a renaissance style which takes its name from the grottos, or archaeological digs, which took place in renaissance times. These excavations unearthed richly decorated antique Roman interiors, specifically the villa of Nerone, The Domus Aurea, excavated in Rome in 1480. The artists of the day were so taken by this lively and versatile decorative style that they incorporated it immediately in their commissioned works. Raphael decorated the Logge of the Vatican in this style and later in Florence, Vasari's workshop decorated the Palazzo Vecchio with Grottesca (grotesque) motifs. The style is infinitely adaptable and is fun for artists because it is fresh, colourful, and contains many unexpected amusing elements.
Resources:
Florence Museum itinerary for Grottesca (grotesque) decoration:
Palazzo Vecchio Firenze: http://www.museicivicifiorentini.it/palazzovecchio/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Vecchio
The seat of civic power in Florence since the 13th century, this palace is an important stop on a Grottesca (grotesque)-viewing tour. The museum on the first floor allows visitors an up-close view of the Grottesca (grotesque) decorations executed by Vasari’s workshop in the 16th century. The courtyard is also a good place to view Grottesca (grotesque) ornamentation, though the work is badly worn due to exposure to the elements.
Uffizi Gallery: http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english/uffizi/
Never mind the masterpieces in the gallery rooms, you can spend your time in the hallways looking up at the decorated ceilings, viewing more of Vasari’s rich and varied Grottesca (grotesque) ornamentation.
EXAMPLE PROJECTS
LEARN DECORATIVE PAINTING FROM HOME
We have an online Introduction to Decorative Painting Course that you can purchase and access below. The course consists of 7 videos and is taught by Alison and her daughter Sonia. The content starts from the very beginning, showing you how to select the best tools and how to prepare your surface. You will then be guided through how to paint a composition like that shown below. Select the course below for more information.
ONLINE COURSE PROJECT CREATIONS
