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Summer Teen Workshop: July 6-17, 2015

Copy of Charles Bargue 18th century drawing course by instructor Andrew Boatright. Pencil on paper.

Texas Academy of Figurative Art

OUR MISSION IS TO DEVELOP, EDUCATE AND TRAIN ARTISTS IN THE FIGURATIVE TRADITION, GIVING ARTISTS THE SKILLS TO FREELY EXPRESS THEIR OWN UNIQUE ARTISTIC VISION.For several decades now colleges and universities throughout the U.S. have departed from a traditional approach to art education and have emphasized self-

expression and theory over the development of realist drawing and painting skills. In contrast, the Texas Academy of Figurative Art is part of a growing movement of private ateliers which offer education and training that is anchored in the timeless traditions of realist art while fully engaging in the contemporary realist movement. TAFA was founded in 2007 by Ron A. Cheek to offer an alternative art education to the local universities and colleges in the North Texas region. Our focus is specifically on education and training for artists who are interested in classically

based realism; however, the skills learned, have proven to also be a beneficial foundation to those pursuing careers in animation, gaming design and other computer generated fields of study.TAFA is the only academy of its kind in Texas that offers a progressive curriculum in figurative art – believing that visual art education should be built on a foundation of superior drawing and painting skills. We hold to the belief that realistic figurative art is the foundation from which to springboard into figurative compositions, still-life, portraiture, landscape and even non-representational art.

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The Texas Academy of Figurative ArtIs pleased to present the second annual two-week Summer Teen Workshop, July 6-17. As interest in our school is growing, we have seen the appeal our curriculum offers to aspiring young artists. Our classically-based curriculum offers High School students the opportunity to anchor their drawing and painting skills and assist them with portfolio preparation.

Course Objective: Students will complete:* 1 Old Master Bargue Drawing * 1 painted still life * 1 self-portrait

Two week summer art training intensiveSummer 2015

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Examples of 18th century Old Master Bargue Drawings

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Weeks 1 & 2 - morning session

Students will reconstruct one Old Master drawing and work from the 19th Century Charles Bargue Drawing Course¹. The emphasis is on accuracy, skillful technique, and representing form through line. This project will be completed on toned paper with pencil.

1.Gerald M. Ackerman, Charles Bargue, with the collaboration of Jean-Leon Gerome: Drawing Course, Paris, ACR Edition, 2003, 336 pp., incl. 196 plates of the Drawing Course.

Bargue Drawing - pencil on paper - 17 year old student (below)

13 year old student (left)

Course Curriculum

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The focus in the afternoon session -week 1 will be still-life painting from life. An in-depth understanding of materials, mediums and pigments is also introduced.

Week 1 - afternoon session

Still life (left) - oil on canvas - 13 year old student

Still life (below) - oil on canvas - 15 year old student

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The focus of week two will be the study of portraiture  through drawing a self-portrait in charcoal and white chalk will also be added to the students’ curriculum as they progress.

Week 2 - afternoon session

Portrait drawing - (left)13 year old student - - charcoal and chalk on toned paper -

Portrait drawing - (below)15 year old student - charcoal and chalk on toned paper

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The Texas Academy of Figurative Art was founded in 2007 by Ron A. Cheek in Fort Worth, Texas. Prior to this, Cheek had been painting and teaching as adjunct faculty at local colleges and universities in the DFW area. Our studios are located at 415 South Main Street near downtown Fort Worth, Texas.  We occupy the entire space and have north light studio bays from which students work. We also have a large model room and separate space for exhibitions and/or workshops.

Prior to founding TAFA, Cheek studied at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy from 1997 to 2001. Upon returning to the United States, Cheek had the vision for beginning a similar program in Texas; however, the contemporary art scene in DFW seemed to favor more abstract and

conceptional modes of expression. What we discovered after surveying students over several years is that many younger students felt both alienated and doubtful of this trend in art education. They knew that most colleges and universities had abandoned realist-based art education and many of those who already had a bachelor of fine arts also knew the MFA programs were also focused more on conceptual expression. In 2007 we began with a handful of local students who became aware of Cheek’s work and teaching and wanted to study realist drawing and painting techniques.

History of the School

Director Ron CheekGet Water - oil on CanvasVanity, Vanity - oil on Canvas

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For more information about the school and to download the application form for the summer workshop, visit our website at www.tafastudio.org

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TESTIMONIALS

"TAFA has taught me more about drawing in six months than I had learned in my entire life. If you're serious about improving your drawing ability, this is the best place in Texas to do it." Ethan Zawadsky - TAFA student -Age 18 -

“TAFA has drastically allowed me to build upon my perception of drawing, which has indicated a clear progression in the realism of my artwork, Thanks a lot" Jose Sauto- TAFA student, Age, 15 “Too many people think that good drawing is the result of good genes or chance; however, the skills they teach at TAFA debunk this misconception. These skills work, and the proof of this is in the products TAFA students create.” Peter Bloch - High School Art Teacher, Founders Classical Academy

“The Texas Academy of Figurative Art is the quintessential art school. The students are willing to work within the rigorous curriculum that is essential to developing a viable visual acuity.” (Post Modern Times - the Journal of Aesthetics and Art History -, Vol1.no. 2, pg.68) Richard Davison - Texas A&M Instructor of Visualization

“Cheek has schooled himself and others in the old-master crafts of drawing, portraiture and the figure. His Texas Academy of Figurative Art, where artists are trained in the rigorous observation and technique of the classical tradition, is perhaps the first such institution in the state, a counterpart to Jacob Collins’s important Grand Central Academy in New York City. - See more at: http://www.nccsc.net/gallery/ron-cheek#sthash.9dyG1svK.dpuf Frederick Turner - Founders Professor - The University of Texas @ Dallas

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Application Process On-line registrations begins Friday, March 28. Visit www.tafastudio.org to download the application. Cost is $850, (materials not included.) The application process will include a portfolio review along with a $250 deposit upon acceptance to hold your space. Twelve students will be selected. For questions, you may call 817.727.2995 or 817.727.2996 or email tafastudio@me.com

Schedule:Dates: July 6-17, 2015Morning Session - 9:00am - 11:50amLunch break -12:00 noon - 12:50 pmAfternoon Session - 1:00 - 3:55 pm

Address:415 S. Main St.Fort Worth, TX 76104

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Texas Academy of Figurative Art Summer Teen Workshop: July 6-17, 2015

www.tafastudio.org 415 S. Main St., Fort Worth, TX 76107

817.727.2995

Copy of Charles Bargue 18th century drawing course by Shelly Hubel, Pencil on paper.