MICHAEL AZGOUR Fine Arts Educational Resources
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Courses Taught at Bay Area Institutions
Below you'll find information about courses I teach in the Bay Area. All of these classes are open to students of all levels and ages.
Links to a sample syllabi and materials list for each courses as well as any other relevant information also appears below. Please note that course outlines and content are subject to change. You will receive an updated syllabi on the first day of class.
If you have any questions or would like to contact me for any reason, please email me at:
Summer 2010 Classes begin July 13 |
Fall 2010 |
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College of Marin, Community Education view syllabus & materials list registration: http://www.marincommunityed.org/ |
N/A |
FALL SESSION 1 FALL SESSION 2 |
Palo Alto Art Center view syllabus & materials list registration: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/recreation/enjoy.asp |
Tuesdays | 10am - 1pm July 13 - August 10 |
Tuesdays | 10am - 1pm September 14 - November 16 |
Palo Alto Art Center view syllabus & materials list registration: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/recreation/enjoy.asp |
Tuesdays | 7-10pm 5 weeks (15 hours) July 13 - August 10 |
Tuesdays | 7-10pm September 14 - November 16 |
Pacific Art League view syllabus & materials list registration: http://www.pacificartleague.org |
Tuesdays | 2-5pm 6 weeks (18 hours) July 13 - August 17 |
Tuesdays | 2-5pm September 14 - November 16 |
Stanford University Architectural Design Department registration: http://www.stanford.edu |
N/A | N/A |
ABSTRACT PAINTING IN OILS
COLLEGE OF MARIN, COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Kentfield Campus, Marin County
835 College Ave., Kentfield, CA 94904, (415) 457-8811
http://www.marincommunityed.org/
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INSTRUCTOR: MICHAEL AZGOUR
web site: www.azgour.com | Email:
COURSE DESCRIPTION (28 hours)
“In a successful painting everything is integral…all the parts belong to the whole. If you remove an aspect or element you are removing its wholeness.” (Richard Diebenkorn) This course is designed for students who wish to strengthen their skills in abstract painting. Through lectures, demonstrations, discussions and critiques, we will attempt to deconstruct modern and contemporary themes as students work to develop a unique voice in their paintings. At least half of each session will consist of in-class painting with one-on-one assistance from the instructor. While the focus is painting in oils, other media is welcome. Topics include: materials, color theory, value pattern, depth, edge relationships, form and movement.
COURSE OUTLINE - Spring 2010
1) Mar 29 Introduction – class overview, syllabus, goals, course project, and materials
• Bring a sketchbook and drawing media to class on the first day
2) Apr 5 Color Theory Lecture | lecture on color theory, value, split complements, temperature, tints & shades, tones & grays
Palette Demo | demonstration on mixing colors in oils, mediums, practices
Bring painting materials to class on the second day
Apr 12 NO CLASS
3) Apr 19 Depth, Line & Edge | lecture on depth
4) Apr 26 The Human Figure | demonstration on painting from the live model
• painting from a live model, applying methods of abstraction
5) May 3 Combining References | demonstration on painting from combined references
6) May 10 Layers, Transparency & Surface | slideshow assisted lecture: modern & contemporary artworks
7) May 17 Final Critique – 3-5 completed painting due
MATERIALS (please bring all materials to class on the first day)
SUGGESTED READING LIST
• Free Play: Improvisation in Life & Art , by Stephen Nachmanovitch
• Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking , by David Bayles & Ted Orland
• Concerning the Spiritual in Art , by Wassily Kandinsky
• Working Space , by Frank Stella
• Trusting the Process: An Artist's Guide to Letting Go , by Shaun McNiff
• The Artists' Way , by Julia Cameron
• Artists' Handbook , by Ralph Mayer
INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING
PALO ALTO ART CENTER
1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303, (650) 329-2366
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/recreation/enjoy.asp
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INSTRUCTOR: MICHAEL AZGOUR
web site: www.azgour.com | Email:
COURSE DESCRIPTION (30 hours)
This course is designed for beginners who wish to learn the basics of drawing and composition. Students will develop their representational drawing skills as the course progresses from using simple still life scenes to photo references, and finally, to live models as a subject. Through a series of lectures, demonstrations, in-class drawing, and critiques, you will learn the fundamentals of drawing from life using charcoal pencil as a primary medium. Topics of focus include proportion, value relationships, turning form, cast and form shadows, line, edge, and composition. In-class drawing will focus on one-source lighting and will vary from quick studies to more developed compositions.
COURSE OUTLINE - Fall 2009
1) 09/15 Still Life ( Please bring all your materials to class on the first day)
Introduction to drawing a still life | syllabus | materials | preparation | setup Lecture/Demo: Basics of One Source Lighting; Laying in Composition
In-class drawing from still life
2) 09/22 Still Life
More on drawing a still life | turning form | cast & form shadows | simple breakdown of light & dark
Exercise: “Changing Perspectives”
In-class drawing from still life
3) 09/29 Photograph ( Please bring a photo reference to class)
Introduction to drawing from a photo reference | laying out the composition | edges of form | shadow shapes
In-class drawing from photo references
4) 10/06 Photograph ( Please bring a photo reference to class)
Focus on drawing architecture | linear perspective | simplification of the background | treatment of planes
Exercise: “Drawing Upside-Down”
In-class drawing from photo references
5) 10/13 Photograph ( Please bring a photo reference to class)
Various drawing techniques | lifting technique | toned paper | colored soft pastels | ink
In-class drawing from photo references (focus on a long study)
6) 10/20 Live Model ( Please bring money for the model's fee to class—approx $10 cash)
Introduction to drawing from the live model | laying in the figure | gesture
In-class drawing from the model
7) 10/27 Live Model ( Please bring money for the model's fee to class—approx $10 cash)
Turning form | subtle breakdown of light & dark | structure & volume | edges | proportion | value separation
In-class drawing from the model
8) 11/03 Live Model ( Please bring money for the model's fee to class—approx $10 cash)
Basic anatomy | the “ideal” figure | foreshortening
Exercise: “Contour Drawing & Negative Space Drawing”
In-class drawing from the model
9) 11/10 Live Model ( Please bring money for the model's fee to class—approx $10 cash)
Focus on drawing heads & hands
In-class drawing from the model
10) 11/17 Live Model ( Please bring money for the model's fee to class—approx $10 cash)
Expressive drawing | line | mood | stylistic variation | expressive & abstract treatment of the figure
Exercise: “Overlapping Figures”
In-class drawing from the model (focus on quick studies)
* Please prepare to bring a model's fee to class on weeks 6-10 (approx. $5-10 cash)
MATERIALS
• variety of charcoal pencils: 2B (hard), 4B (medium), and 6B (soft)
• variety of other charcoal products: charcoal sticks, compressed charcoal, vine/willow charcoal, etc.
• drawing paper pad (Strathmore, 70 lb or equivalent), 18 x 24”
• newsprint pad, 18 x 24”
• artist's clip sketch board (standard size, 23 x 26”)
• other: kneaded rubber eraser, chamois cloth, standard razor blade (several)
• optional: variety of toned drawing paper and colored pastel sticks and/or pencils
ABSTRACT PAINTING
PALO ALTO ART CENTER
1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303, (650) 329-2366
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/recreation/enjoy.asp
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INSTRUCTOR: MICHAEL AZGOUR
web site: www.azgour.com | Email:
COURSE DESCRIPTION (30 hours)
This course is designed for students of all levels who wish to broaden their knowledge of concepts and strengthen their skills in abstract painting. Through lectures, discussions, demonstrations, open painting, and group & individual critiques, students will gain insight and experience with the practical and theoretical concerns of abstract painting which they can apply to their chosen medium. Topics of focus include: materials & preparation, techniques, composition, value pattern, color, depth, edge, form, and theory. Students will develop their skills in articulating their creative interests and are encouraged to explore new media, styles and techniques in their work. Each class will be divided approximately 1/3 lecture & discussion, 2/3 in-class painting.
COURSE OUTLINE - Spring 2010
1) 04/06 Introduction | overview of syllabus, materials, preparation, goals, and course project
Exercise | small abstract compositions
Homework | drawing and planning in conception of course project
• Bring a sketchbook and drawing media to class on the first day
2) 04/13 Color | lecture on color theory, value, temperature, split complements, tints & shades, tones & grays, etc.
Introduction to Oils | demonstration on mixing colors in oils, mediums, practices
• Bring painting materials to class on the second day
3) 04/20 Introduction to Acrylics | demonstration on mixing acrylics, mediums, acrylic properties, practices, application
4) 04/27 Formal Elements | lecture on components of a composition: depth, movement, shape, edge, line, focal point(s), etc.
5) 05/04 Group Critique I | 3 paintings in progress due
6) 05/11 Oil Techniques | demonstration on paint application, building layers, fat over lean, transparency, glazing, scumbling, etc.
• demonstration on abstract figurative painting using a photo reference
7) 05/18 Materials Demonstration | by Guest Lecturer Christine Hanlon, representative from Windsor Newton
8) 05/25 Acrylic Techniques | demonstration on painting in layers, subtraction, texture, transparency, surface quality
Introduction to Mixed Media Painting | masking, screens, stencils, dry media, collage, combining acrylics and oils
9) 06/01 Practical & Professional Issues | discussion
• instructor's process and how this relates to his concept
• problem-solving strategies
10) 06/08 Group Critique II | 3-5 completed paintings due
MATERIALS
SUGGESTED READING LIST
• Free Play: Improvisation in Life & Art , by Stephen Nachmanovitch
• Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking , by David Bayles & Ted Orland
• Concerning the Spiritual in Art , by Wassily Kandinsky
• Working Space , by Frank Stella
• Trusting the Process: An Artist's Guide to Letting Go , by Shaun McNiff
• The Artists' Way , by Julia Cameron
• Artists' Handbook , by Ralph Mayer
ABSTRACT FIGURATIVE PAINTING
PACIFIC ART LEAGUE
668 Ramona St, Palo Alto, CA 94301, (650) 321-3891
http://www.pacificartleague.org
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INSTRUCTOR: MICHAEL AZGOUR
web site: www.azgour.com | Email:
COURSE DESCRIPTION (30 hours)
The Bay Area has a unique tradition of abstract figurative artists in the post-modern era. Each artist approaches the figure with a different vision and sensibility. In this class, we will attempt to deconstruct modern and contemporary themes as students work to develop a unique voice in their painting. Various methods of abstracting from life will be visited using the human figure as a subject. Approximately two hours per class will focus on in-class painting, either short studies from the live model or painting from photo references. These will be complimented by lectures, demonstrations, a photo shoot, a group critique, and one-on-one evaluations. Prerequisite: Some painting experience
COURSE OUTLINE - Spring 2010
1) 04/06 Introduction | course content, goals, syllabus, materials
Still Life | painting or drawing from the still life in black & white – focus on composition and value relationships
bring drawing materials to class
2) 04/13 Simplifying the Figure | painting from photo references – monochromatic studies converting detail into simple shapes
bring painting materials to class (sessions 2-9) | bring photo references of figures to class
3) 04/20 Model | painting from a model – several short studies (20 min each)
Demonstration | painting from a model
4) 04/27 Model | painting from a model – several short studies (20-40 min each)
5) 05/04 Under-painting | focus on environments, both abstract and natural
Demonstration | beginning a composition with simple abstract shapes, building layers
bring photo references of environments to class
6) 05/11 Photo | painting from photo references
bring photo references of figures in environments to class
7) 05/18 Model | painting from a model – two short studies (60 min each)
8) 05/25 Model | painting from a model – one extended study (120 min)
9) 06/01 Photo | in class painting from photo references
Demonstration | combining multiple references in a composition, both photographs and drawings
bring photo references and drawings of figures and environments to class
10) 06/08 Final Group Critique | 3-5 completed paintings due
we will not be painting in class today
MATERIALS
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