Centro d'Arte Dedalo
Course descriptions
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SCULPTURE AND METAL FUSION - Stefano
Breschi
You will find that there is no particular
bias towards figurative or abstract sculpture on this
course.
 Together we will
try to understand and develop an aesthetic basis, through
analysis of form and emotional content of the work,
in a way that will help you to develop your personal
mode of expression. Beginners will be helped to find
inspiration, if necessary, and to use the tools correctly
in order to manipulate and mold materials with enjoyment
and ease.
This course aims to provide you with the opportunity
to cast your work into metal, using the lost wax process,
at a very affordable price. During every two week course
there will be the possibility of a bronze pouring .
Facilities will be available for working directly in
wax, or initially in clay for casting into wax before
the bronze. Once cast, there is always work to be done
cleaning up the piece, and finishing it off.
You will be taught how to work the
metal to produce the finished surface, then finally
some simple methods of making a patina. For those of
you who do not wish to cast into metal, clay is available
which can be fired in a local kiln (the area around
Pienza is renowned for its tradition of terracotta production),
and some stone will be provided for those who wish to
try stone carving.
FRESCO AND STACCO - Sarah Hocombe
& Alberto Felici
 This is a
two week course that involves three elements. The first
is an analysis of the techniques of Buon fresco following
the principles applied in paintings in Italy from the
Gothic to the late Renaissance period (as described
in the Libro d 'Arte by Cennino Cennini in the 15th
century). To simplify the approach to this technique,
we will begin by making copies of details of frescoes,
carefully studying and practicing all the stages relative
to the painting of a figure in fresco.
The second element is the use of fresco
and related techniques, such as lime-wash painting,
relief modeling and graffito on a large scale. We will
paint directly onto the wall, experimenting with a combination
of these unique mural painting techniques. The third
element of the course is the stacco technique. You will
learn how to detach even the largest of frescoes from
its backing and transfer it onto canvas, following the
methods used by restorers of fresco today.
PAINTING
FROM THE LANDSCAPE - Daniel Preece
 Using
the surrounding landscape as a starting point, students
will be asked to work directly from bservation. There
will be a general introduction at the beginning of each
day, where it will be suggested that students study
various aspects of the landscape (i.e. motifs, forms,
light and space) and look at different ways of translating
these into paintings and drawings. During the two weeks
technical advice and practical demonstrations will be
given where necessary.
Tuition will be given on a one to
one basis and the group will be encouraged to enter
into a dialogue with one another about the work. With
guidance the students will begin to articulate a subjective
view of the landscape, this in turn will dictate the
direction and the nature of the work. Through a sustained
period of creativity, students will build up a body
of work that reflects their dialogue with the landscape,
improving their perceptual skills and giving them confidence
in their chosen mediums.
WATERCOLOR - A TRAVEL DIARY - Alessandra
Bruni
 This
course is open to those who are interested in travel
diaries. Watercolor has the great potential of enabling
one to express a synthesis of a certain vision, we shall
train our eyes to recognize what is essential in terms
of color and shape for the description of the environment.
Our course days will be lush, plenty
of time to practice on the feel of space light, sense
of tone, the mixing of complementary colors and how
to tune in with the different energies our eye meets
in a landscape in architecture and in people living
in them.
There will be practical demonstrations
to work from, small objects and drawing. We shall work
outside and indoors or may go to a day trips in the
surroundings.
EVELOPING A PERSONAL VISION - Anthony
Pilbro
This course offers an opportunity
for you to develop your personal response to the beauty
of the Tuscan landscape. You will be encouraged to go
beyond a formal figurative / representational response
to the surrounding environment, moving towards a pictorial
expression. Working from the premise of exploring the
arbitrary shades, colors, and gesture marks, you will
discover a new language becoming recognizable. Using
this, poetical rather than narrative questions will
be raised.
Throughout the two week course students will concentrate
on experimenting with various mediums to achieve an
individual style, making working sketches and studies
of details, which, when worked into a larger format,
or initiated into a broader work, will capture a personal
vision.
COLOR AND LIGHT - Sue Kenigton
 The intense
goldenness that lights Tuscany has always been a source
of inspiration to painters, and has produced some of
the greatest colorists ever. This course will concentrate
on developing your use of color as a means of communication,
particularly as a means of communicating light, by exploring
color perception both as observed in nature, i.e. perceptual
color, and also color that activates the senses, through
atmosphere and light -i.e. conceptual color.
Over the two weeks, we will work together
for a few hours each day on specific color projects,
based loosely on Albers theories exploring the relativity
of color, and then you will be free to devote the rest
of the time to developing your own work, with one to
one tuition/guidance, either in the studios, or outside
in the wonderful landscape. Feeling for color is not
reliant on any particular skills, and therefore this
course is suited to students of all levels.
 You will
be encouraged through your drawing and painting to interpret
your personal contemporary response to the life and
landscape of the surrounding area, which is particularly
rich visually and historically.
Those who wish may have the opportunity to visit Siena,
Pienza, and some interesting Tuscan hill towns. These
visits will be preceded by a slide lecture, which is
intended to guide you through the most important and
influential works of art and architecture. It is hoped
that on your return home you will have a portfolio of
paintings and drawings inspired by your visit here.
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