ANNOUNCING A SPECIAL ART WORKSHOP

Spring 2018

This type of instruction is rarely available outside fine arts colleges.

Old Masters Techniques in Oil Painting

(the way Frederic Bartlett and Dora Tripp were taught at the Royal Academy of Art in Munich)

Instructor/Artist:

Betsy Castleman Damez

Summary of the Workshop This course is an experience in the Van Eyck or Old Masters technique of painting. Students work with the raw materials - the pigments and binders (glues that attach pigments to a canvas support) as they learn the techniques of underpainting, layering and glazing. This is the classic method of approaching art, the way that Frederic Bartlett and Dora Tripp were taught at the Royal Academy of Art in Munich in the 1890s, and the way painting techniques evolved during the Renaissance. Understanding these techniques gives the contemporary artist a deeper understanding of materials and expands creative possibilities. Class size: Limited to 8 to12 students, to provide maximum individual attention. All levels accepted. While extensive experience is not essential, the course is designed to be most rewarding for those with at least some basic painting knowledge and experience. Time: The course consists of six full-day, 6-hour sessions, over two weeks. In order to allow for proper drying times, it is given every other day. Dates: March 5,7,9,12,14,16. (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays) Location: The Island Theatre at Bonnet House. Cost: $650. per student for both Bonnet House members and non-members. All pigments and mediums and some materials are included in the fee and are provided by the instructor, and account for about $100 per student. Students are responsible for bringing their own canvas, brushes, easels (see full list).

Daily Summary of the Six Sessions Day 1 Preparing gesso to cover over the store-bought canvas. Blocking off the canvas support and transferring a pencil drawing of the chosen reproduction onto the canvas. Fixing the drawing with fixative. Preparation of varnish, medium, and emulsion. Grinding the pigments with oil. This is a very messy session clothes-wise. During this session we will be looking at the pigments in their powder form, getting used to them and choosing the colors necessary for each participant. Day 2 Passing the "imprimature" (first varnish coat) and then immediately beginning the first layer of underpainting with an emulsion mixture. Disposable palettes or pieces of cardboard will be used as palettes. Day 3 Glazing over with medium and continuing in an emulsion layer. Day 4 Repeating the same process of colored glazing medium and then emulsion layers in a more selective manner, section by section, getting more and more into detail. Day 5 Continuing the same process, and refining details. Day 6 Final details. It may not be possible for everyone to finish completely but by this time students will have gained enough understanding of the process and will be able to finish up on their own. However, most students will be able to finish. It is important not to overwork, particularly with oil. The process is amazingly quick because of the richness and purity of the materials.

Materials Lists

Provided by the Instructor: Since only small amounts of many materials are needed, and some are difficult to obtain, they are purchased in bulk by the instructor at considerable savings to the student. The total cost of materials provided by the instructor is approximately $1000. and is included in the fee. About 14 pigments in powder form: Titanium white Cadmium yellow Cadmium red Ocre yellow Red ocre Natural sienna Burnt sienna Raw umber Burnt umber Ivory black Green earth Prussian blue Ultramarine blue Chalk Linseed oil Damar resin Klucel EF (this is methyl cellulose glue that replaces egg) Also included: turpentine; odorless white spirit for cleaning brushes; fixative; glass jars, bottles and cans for storing pigments and mixing mediums and cleaning brushes; acrylic resin; spatulas of varying sizes; glass or tile squares for grinding. Provided by Each Student: Pigments and mediums are included in the fee. Students must bring an apron, a set of pig bristle brushes for oil painting, one or two small size sable brushes for fine detail, rags or paper towels, a palette knife, an easel if desired (otherwise they will work on a flat table), a small or medium sized canvas, and a good quality reproduction of a relatively simple painting they would like to copy such as a still life or portrait or landscape from the Renaissance up to the mid 19th century. More details will be provided. Registration for the 'Old Master Techniques' workshop: Reservations/registrations accepted until February 20, 2018. For more information or to sign up call Linda Schaller at 954-703-2606 Email lindaschaller@bonnethouse.org Or go online to www.bonnethouse.org/adult-workshops/

About the Artist

Betsy Castleman Damez is an American-born artist living in Paris. As a young artist she went to France to see all the wonderful paintings and was naturally curious about the beauty of the Old Master works of art. While studying at the Ecole des Beaux Arts she learned the techniques of working with pigments and binders as well as the rudiments of classical composition from older artists and restorers, who believed that the mystery in art lay at that point where matter and mind collaborate fully. "The materials we use in painting are tools which can be perfected, modified, etc. and they open up infinite possibilities. However, it is vain to have flawless technique and have no spiritual dimension to art: each of us must rely on our own inspiration." Since graduating from the Beaux Arts school, Betsy has had an extensive career painting, exhibiting and transmitting what she feels is so important to any visual artist. She was a university professor in the Wells College Program in the Arts in Paris for 18 years and has worked and taught extensively in the Louvre as well as her own studio.

View her art and background at: http://www.betsy-castleman-damez.com

Betsy Castleman Damez in her Paris studio. Her students copying masterpieces in the Louvre.

BETSY CASTLEMAN DAMEZ

Diverse Activities in the Arts 2011 to 2018 – Nativity panel for Alesia church 2009-2010-2012 – Portrait sessions for women who have been victims of violence. In collaboration with the French organization "Ni Putes Ni Soumises" which brings psychological and legal help to these women. 2006 and 2008 – Ten-day painting trips to Niger with a French NGO, in 2008 this included two painting workshops given to African children. 2002-2005 – Preparation of a series of paintings on the Hula (sacred Hawaiian ancient dances) for an exposition in the Honolulu Academy of Arts in conjunction with a manifestation of Hawaiian culture and Hula dance. Live on-stage painting performance with hula dancers at the Doris Duke Theater, Honolulu. Reproduction of a painting in the book, Spirit of Hula. January to June 2000 – Organization of an exposition of artworks by prisoners at the Bois d'Arcy prison, Yvelines, France. This exposition was sponsored by the prison chaplain and the artist's role was to encourage the prisoners to draw and paint, help them with technical difficulties and then to present their work in an exhibit. The exhibit then became itinerant in the country. January 2000 – Preparation of a decorative panel for a charity, an orphanage in Bethlehem called "La Creche de Bethlehem" This panel served for public presentations and is now displayed in the orphanage in Bethlehem. May-June 1998 – Sent by the U.S.Embassy in Paris for a cultural exchange program in the Emirat of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf. This program included a personal exhibit at the National Museum in Bahrain in the Arab Emirats and several weeks of workshops with the artists and the general public in Manama, the capital of Bahrain. This program was sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain. Spring 1996 – Preparation of a decorative panel in a home for elderly people in Versailles, France. July 1995 – Interview on Radio Suisse Romande about the "Cosmogonies", my series of paintings on creation mythology. Teaching Experience 2017 - Professor in Old Masters Technique for Asbury University Program in Paris, fall semester 2015 - Two week workshop at Bonnet House Museum, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 1994-2011 – Professor in the Wells College Program in the Arts in Paris, "Painting Techniques using the Raw Materials of Painting". This class has always been taught partially in the Louvre museum where the students can copy an Old Masters painting. It is based on the method of Nicholas Wacker at Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and gives particular importance to the use of pigment. 1996-2003 – Professor in the Wells College Program in the Arts in Paris, "Drawing the Figure and Composition". Drawing class with live model. August 2001, 2002, 2003 – Teacher at Newark Museum, Newark, New Jersey, a summer workshop on Old Master Techniques. Various paintings in collections in France, the United States including Hawaii, and Bahrain

Solo Exhibitions (selection) 2015 Barclays Bank, Avenue de l’Opera, Paris 2013 Galerie L'entrepot, Paris Barclays Bank, Avenue George V, Paris Galerie Beauregard, Rumson, New Jersey, USA 2011 Femmes Victimes de Violences, AFEMCI, Mairie du 14eme 2010 Galerie de l'Entrepot, Femmes Victimes de Violence 8 Mars, Le Medef a Ni Puttes Ni Soumises 2007 Galerie du Singe en Hiver, Villerville Fondation Mona Bismarck, AAWE, Paris 2004 Zone Art, Eglise Saint Pierre de Touques 2000 Sun Microsystems, Paris 1998 National Museum, Manama, Bahrein 1995 Centre d'Art Contemporain, Rouen Galerie Herve Blanc, Paris 1994 Abbatiale et Musee Departmental de Saint Riquier 1993 WICE Institut Culterel, Paris 1989 Centre d'Art Contemporain, Rouen Galerie Delange, Le Havre 1986 Galerie Grande Masse des Beaus Arts, Paris Group Exhibitions (selection) 2017 Bienneale d’Art Sacre, Lyon 2016 Land Art , exhibit in Le Bost, Perigord 2015/16 - Journée des Arts, Protestant Church de l’Etoile 2011 Au Coeur de la Vie, Eglise Protestant d'Alesi Femmes Euro Mediterraneennes Contre les Intregrismes 2009/10 "Comparisons", Grand Palais, Paris 2008 "Dogondouchi" Orsay, Essonne 2006 Voeux d'Artistes, Paris 2005 Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu, Hawaii 2003 Musee Departemental de Saint Riquier 2000 Abbaye de la Trappe, Soligny 1997 Artistes Americains en France (1947-1997) Fondation Mona Bismarck, Paris Century 2000, Anvers, Belgique 1995 Salon Grands et Jeunes d'Aujourd'hui, Paris 1994 Salon Grands et Jeunes d'Aujourd'hui, Paris Amities SIDA, Nantes 1993 Salon Grands et Jeunes, Grand Palais, Paris 1992 Galerie Dannenberg, New HYork Galerie RVS Fine Art, Southampton, New York 1991 Galerie Frederic Ballester, Cannes Operation Exodus, Drouot-Richelieu, Paris 1989 Biennale Internationale de la Jeune Peinture, Cannes et Musee de Gerone, Espagne "Exposition" Festival d'Avignon 1988 Galerie Roberta Von Schlossberg, Southampton, New York 1986 Salon de Montrouge Jeune Peinture, Grand Palais, Paris 1985 Salon de Montrouge 1984 Salon de Montrouge

Realities Nouvelles, Grand Palais, Paris