The Practical Art and Art History Course

By Nigel Konstam

The course can be arranged flexibly on a one to one basis, or for a group and can be timed to coincide with your stay. Price can be negotiated.

Diploma awarded on basis of artworks produced. No written assignments.

We will be investigating the methods of 'the masters', including Giacometti, Uccello, Rembrandt, Holbein and Poussin. Not from the point of view of what has been said about art but from what actually went on in the studios. It will include drawing from the antique as a means of learning to see clearly what is in front of you. For example drawing from a Roman bust such as Hadrian - once standard practice in art schools and an excellent training. I believe that the art we most admire from the past is the result of observation not of imagination. I have learnt from Rembrandt that the visual imagination needs stimulating by a good dose of reality. Imagination is also activated by playing with the materials of art; marks awaken vague dreams and allowing them to be realised step by step using memories of reality. Essentially you will be pursuing your own ideas with my help.

Many of my art historical discoveries I have dealt with in videos and blogs. My treatment of Velasquez masterpiece “Las Meninas” has led to the proud title of "The Sherlock Holmes of Art History". The contrast between my interpretation and the convoluted stories told by art history may give you a good laugh and we hope, the desire to join my research group.

For those who have been disappointed by their recent training in art or art history this may be a turning point.