David Kassan: Drawing the Portrait from Life
The Coppini Academy is excited and proud to have returning workshop artist, David Kassan to San Antonio for a 3-day drawing workshop from life.
The focus of this workshop will be on life drawing methods to investigate the underlying rhythm, expression and emotion of the modern portrait. Students will explore charcoal on toned paper with one pose for the duration so that they can patiently observe and record their findings. All observation will be cumulative and used towards finishing the final work. Instruction will include discussion of practical technical information on the use of charcoal and white chalk, the properties of light on form and how the topography/depth of the face’s form can be visualized and represented. Most importantly, students will learn to transcend the materials so that their full concentration is placed on expressing the model’s presence and emotion. David’s goal is to give students a sense of community, where anything art related (books, galleries, artists, techniques) can be discussed, debated, enlightened and experienced.
David Kassan studied painting and art history at Syracuse University, the Art Students League of New York, and the National Academy School of Fine Art. He has lectured at many schools around the country including Savannah College of Art and Design, PAFA, Rochester Institute of Technology, Arizona State University, Western Illinois University, Syracuse University, the National Academy School of Fine Art, and the University of Alabama. He has taught at the National Academy School of Fine Art, the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, the Salmagundi Club and at the 72nd Street Studio. Mr. Kassan has conducted many international painting seminars, including workshops in Iceland, Australia, South Africa, Italy, Portugal, Belgium and Spain. He has been a contributor to many different art publications, including a two-year column in Drawing Magazine on the topic of understanding anatomy. David Kassan is currently represented by Gallery Henoch. For more information, please visit www.davidkassan.com.