Grottesca was the buzz word in San Antonio this past week with the arrival of Carolina D'Ayala Valva of Artelier studio of Rome.
Leslie and Nicola Vigini opened their studio for an intensive four day class with Carolina on the art of egg tempera grottesca. Leslie and Nicola operate an extremely creative studio in San Antonio and catered completely to the needs of each student.
Carolina designed a panel for the class including basic grottesca ornamentation. Once the design was transferred to canvas, the key color was applied in layered washes.
Classes went from 9:00 am till sometimes 7:00pm...the Viginis provided lunch daily and snacks for the marathon hours.
Even Nicola participated in painting the panel.
Tempera grassa or "fat" tempera (oil tempera) was the medium used for this class. The beauty of egg tempera is the building of layers of color to create depth and shading.
Grottesca is known for it's attention to detail...in fantasy borders and intricate foliage. The tempera has a matte , organic feel which cannot be duplicated through other mediums.
This is my finished panel...I would not trade anything for the knowledge learned this week on this Renaissance process. Thanks to Carolina for her dedication and patience with her students and special thanks to the Viginis for supporting the art of decoration!
20 comments:
nice work! you lucky lucky girl! oh i cannot even tell you how envious i am! i may have to stalk these people all the way back to Roma.
So beautiful, Theresa! I am convulsed with envy and admiration! Ah, the battle of two emotions over exquisitness!
(How's that for a very heartfelt compliment?)
Thank you Lynne,,,coming from you, that is definitely a compliment!
Jennifer, you are one of the most accomplished artists in North America...I will take that complement and try to earn it!
Dear Theresa, What a beautiful Grotesca panel you have created. Congratulations! Can't wait to see what you will do with the knowledge gained from your workshop.
I have always been fascinated with the Grotesca style. I am seriously considering attending their next workshop.
Thanks for sharing, Theresa! What a treat to use the materials that you did. I would go to every class Carolina holds if it were possible. So happy you were able to experience her wonderful, gentle teaching style. Your panel came out beautifully!
Theresa, your posts are inspiring me to move into tempera painting! Your finished piece is beautiful and I'm guessing that those marathon classes seem like a flash. I'd love to sign up for such a workshop! ... Mark
Theresa, you did a beautiful job. And egg tempera- you lucky!
Carolina's work is exquisite. I am so glad you took the class!
Wow! Theresa. Are you going to use this in a design? let us know, if that's the case. Bravo.
That must've been an amazing class. Hopefully Carolina will be on the East Coast again someday.
Debbie
You have an intriguing blog, full of beauty and history. Worth reading every word and admire every image.
Great post Theresa. It sounds as though you had fun too :)
In this mass-produced world of global sameness, it is refreshing to know that art still is passionately pursued. Love your panel. But what, no mice?
HBD-Don't worry! I am working up to painting mice!!
Theresa, I am so happy for you that you got to take this class! I can tell it exceeded your expectations and provided you with many happy moments of digging a ditch with a teaspoon. Your panel is breath-taking!
I shall have to keep my eyes open for the next opportunity to take a class with Carolina.
Cleta
Thank you for dropping in at Hf,K. I am looking forward to following you as well. This is special because I was raised in Texas and miss it very much. Until then.
Glorious glorious, that looks like a wonderful class.
wow. you did that? AMAZING! truly. Tempera is one medium I have never used (egg tempera). And truly has a look that you can't reproduce otherwise. Your piece is fantastic.
Your finished panel reminds me of the Groteskensaal in the Lower Belvedere Palace here in Vienna, painted by Jonas Drentwett, in the early 1700s.
Merisi-
You have a good eye! We were taught the method used in the 1700's. It was a wonderful class. Thank you for your comments.
Theresa
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