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“What should be the first object and principal aim of a painter? The first aim of the painter is to make it appear that a round body in relief is presented upon the flat surface of his picture; and he who surpasses others in this respect deserves to be esteemed more skillful than they in his calling.”
– Leonardo DaVinci

Studio Rilievo
From the shadow of Howard Pyle, legendary illustrator, teacher and founder of the “Brandywine Tradition”, a new tradition emerges in Chester County.

Providing a working atmosphere in which students train under a master to paint in the classical manner, Studio Rilievo continues an educational lineage dating back to the Renaissance. Modeled after the ateliers of 19th century France, Studio Rilievo caters to the education of artists interested in championing the realist standard.

Unlike larger art schools, Studio Rilievo has a curriculum designed around intensive, one-on-one training. All classes are limited in size, only five students at a time, for nearly private tutoring. Each student receives personal attention with access to the instructor at all times. In such an atmosphere the focus remains on the individual who can progress at his or her own rate.

The yearly curriculum is divided into studio courses and workshops. Studio courses are offered in three semesters from October to May. Workshops are offered from July to August. Courses are designed for all experience levels. Emphasizing mimetic painting, all work is done in class directly from nature and in-depth critiques are given daily.

Beginner studio courses include drawing, monochromatic and color oil painting and composition. Comprised of a series of still life exercises proceeding from simple to complex subject matter, each course stresses comprehension of the structural principles of drawing and painting in a practical and limited context. These exercises are not meant to be creative but to introduce the fundamental elements of line and color in a controlled manner. The student can thus train the eye and hand building accuracy, confidence and mastery. Advanced studio courses include portrait and figure drawing and painting. These courses revolve around the utilization of classical drawing methods and a prepared palette with their applications to the live model. Lectures include anatomy and morphology, the color wheel and its application, palette layout and specific drawing and painting procedures.

Workshops are offered throughout the summer when the general semesters are not in session and primarily include landscape painting. Landscape workshops are a series of six-hour weekend classes in the studio and in the field. Studio work covers the notes and principles applicable to landscape; fieldwork practices these principles from life.

Comprehensive instruction at the student’s pace and an intimate learning environment makes Studio Rilievo the finest private art instruction in the Philadelphia area.

Call 484-574-9200 for more information.