Workshop EXPLORATIONS IN PAINTING: Constructing Compelling Space by Julie Beugin

Description

The illusion of three dimensional space on a two dimensional canvas is a key concept in painting, with the frame of the canvas functioning as a window into another world. From the classic Dutch interiors of Vermeer to the contemporary plays of windows and surface of Lois Dodd, there is a rich past and present of space in painting. Yet within this long history, how do we create compelling space in our own painting?

Through this workshop, students will gain an understanding of the main methods of translating 3D space onto a 2D surface such as perspective, overlap, scale, and light, and learn new ways to put these into practice in their own work. Students will also learn tangible and transferrable methods of creative process and composition, including using a viewfinder, thumbnail sketches, and model building. Through discussion of their work and others, students will begin to think about ways to play with the conventions of painting space alongside the flatness of the canvas to create visual interest and a sense of surprise.