Introduction of the "Technique Mixte"

Discussion of materials and overview of the methodology.

Preparation of the panel or canvas.; mixing gessos  

Students begin by drawing on the prepared ground with supplied pencils. Emphasis on draftsmanship: form, value, and detail.

Subjects covered: Composition, perspective, scale and proportion, contour drawing and modeling by cross hatching,

rendered shadows (chiaroscuro)

Imprimatura : its role as a preparation for the lights  

Introduction to the preparation of emulsion: formula and use.

Working up the lights: Using tempera emulsion and white pigment, the student will model the forms and define the value range, from highlights to cool middletones.  

Working up the darks: A similar process is used with umbers to continue the modeling process from dark to middletone.

Introduction to glazing and scumbling: the application of transparent oil glazes over the neutral tempera "monochrome" begins.  

Working with the glazes: a judicious juxtaposition of temperatures, tints and tones to heighten spatial illusion.  

Complexities abound: but oh such fun....such marvelous, wonderful, miraculous painting fun to be discovered!  

Finishing : Final heightening with a range of nuances; the expanded palette.

Review and analysis

Discussion: the technique and its use by the contemporary artist.