Sunday, May 13, 2012

Carolina d'Ayala Valva-Artist of Grottesca



I recently had the pleasure of spending a week with Carolina d'Ayala Valva in Orlando learning the techniques of true Italian grottesca.

Jeff Huckaby hosted a class with Carolina at his Orlando studio. We began with transferring the design by rubbing pigment onto the back. Working with egg tempera, we then painted the design with a monochrome of raw umber.


Each step is precise and could be a finished work in itself. All shadows are put in to guide when the color is added.


Layers and layers of thin washes of color are what make the egg tempera have depth and fusion of color.
The palette is chosen and colors begin to replace the monochrome.


Carolina works hard to demonstrate each step and checks constantly on each student on their progress.
After the color fusion, the magic begins with the detail strokes. These small. controlled strokes make it all come alive in the glint of a jewel or the curl of a leaf.

This is what made me seek out Carolina for the second time, to take another class with her. Her detail work is achieved only through discipline and consistant brush stroke.

If one step was left out, this beauty would not exist. Her panels are studies of the relation of color and the play of light.
Each student went home with a beautiful panel (produced by several 11 hour marathon days) that only a room full of "type A's" could create! (thanks Li for that quote)

Special thanks to Jeff Huckaby for thinking big enough to bring Carolina from Rome to teach this wonderful class. I think I have it figured out now!

For more information on Carolina and grottesca, click here and here.

12 comments:

helen tilston said...

Thank your for sharing your workshop on Grottesca. The detail and layers of colour produce a beautiful result.
Helenxx

Mark D. Ruffner said...

This si so exciting, Theresa! Maybe now you'll give demonstrations, too! Thanks for sharing your beautiful piece, and showing the stages and details.

Karena said...

Theresa no wonder you excel at your art; this is true commitment!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Gina said...

Dear Theresa, Mark is right to ask. Will you share what you have learned? Have always loved Grotessca and I can see how it could be translated into Maiolica.

Carolina said...

Hi Theresa,thanks,from far looks a crazy class,we really worked very hard,but I am really proud of my students.Jeff was an amazing host,very generous,and each student have a special place deep in my heart.You are a very refined and elegant woman,your blog is the mirror of your charming personality.Baci da Roma,Carolina

Theresa Cheek said...

Thank you Carolina! Baci.

patrickgracewood said...

Theresa,
The monochrome alone is lovely, the color takes it to exquisite.
That was an amazing amount of focused work done in remarkablely short time...love that quote.
Where oh where did the stereotype of the lazy artist come from. Artists are the most disciplined people I know. Hope your panel gets a special place in your home. P

home before dark said...

I'm going to be very verbal and expressive here: WOW! WOW! WOW!

You should produce these panels on paper so they could be framed!

home before dark said...

Back to say I enjoyed your interview at Art by Karenna. If you need someone to clean your paintbrushes on your next adventure, let me know!

Theresa Cheek said...

Pat-Would love to collaborate with you! You are certainly above the brush cleaning level!

Azpeitia poeta y escritor said...

Very nice....azpeitia

PA74 said...

Marvellous post and gorgious pictures of Carolina's work!!!

Pascal

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