MASTER CLASSES

Welcome to Atelier South - Atlanta’s first classical training atelier where fine art and artists are celebrated. We ceased our weekly classes during the Covid-19 pandemic, but we are excited to announce that our next classes will be February 2025. Make sure to subscribe to receive updates on all the great things we are planning!

In true atelier style, the exceptionally small class size, (6 - 8 students) will allow each student to receive personalized instruction throughout tailored to their individual needs and abilities. Subscribe to our mailing list for updates to be first to receive class info and priority registration.

CLASS STARTS February 11th

Atelier South is Atlanta’s first classical training atelier where fine art and artists are celebrated.

Founder, Director and Principal Instructor George Anthony Morton will teach time-honored techniques and methods in the Classical-Realist tradition honed through the centuries from the Renaissance culminating in the 17 century “Golden Age” and celebrated throughout the 19th century Beaux-Arts French Academies. . Inaugural curriculum will focus on the building blocks to future great paintings: the ability to draw accurately by discerning value, shape and relative proportion. In true atelier style, the exceptionally small class size, (6 - 8 students) will allow each student to receive personalized instruction throughout tailored to their individual needs and abilities.

Subscribe for updates to be first to receive class info and priority registration.

DRAWING THE FIGURE AND PORTRAIT FROM LIFE

Drawing the Portrait & Figure From Life continues building on the techniques and methodologies explored through Bargue and Cast drawing. Drawing from life involves capturing not only the contour, proportion and form, but the gesture as well. Sometimes more felt than seen, the gesture can be described as the spark that animates the subject. The ability to impart that animating spark into one’s paintings is what distinguishes an artist. In classical realism, the artist is tasked with accurately portraying three dimensional figures in flat, two dimensional shapes, as faithful to nature as possible. A successful portrait or figure drawing is one where the subject integrates seamlessly and believably into the space around it. Students will learn using a myriad of techniques developed from the Renaissance and formalized in the Beaux-Arts Academies of the 19th century, including sight size and comparative measurement methods. The instructor will guide students from start to finish through class demos and easel to easel individual attention according to each student’s needs and abilities. The class size will be limited to 6-8 students in order to create a more intensive apprenticeship-like experience for all students.

Your registration includes 8 Sessions in total. With 6-8 students in each class.

Class is held Tuesdays : 10:00am - 1:00pm

Registration Fee: $695

Online payment via PayPal (no Paypal account required)
Class is non-transferable, no exceptions
Fee is non-refundable unless session is cancelled

CONTACT FOR SPACE AVAILABILITY AND/OR QUESTIONS

INFO@ATELIERSOUTH.COM By registering you agree to Atelier Souths Terms and Conditions and Studio Rules

ACADEMIC EXERCISES AND METHODS

This class is an overview of the techniques and concepts of the academic approach to drawing. Time honored techniques will be explained and demonstrated, including, among others, the “sight size method” and “point to point measurement”, but foremost, students will learn to discern and evaluate values: the key to the illusion of light, a hallmark of classical realism. Each student receives individual instruction to commensurate with their particular needs and skill level.

Students explore the academic methods by rendering 19th century painter Charles Bargue’s drawings from his influential treatise, “Cours de Dessin”. By copying Bargue drawings, students learn to truly see and render the comparative differences in size, shape and value. More advanced students will complete Mastercopy’s of their favorite masterworks and on cast drawing where the fall of light on the three dimensional surface creates more subtle and nuanced values. Students will learn the fundamentals by completing master copies and drawing plaster casts of antique sculptures.

Drawing from the antique not only introduces Classical aesthetics but prepares the student for the live model and other complex subjects. Casts simplify drawing problems due to their being stationary, as they allow the student to draw from them for days under the same lighting condition. Students will be working alongside the Instructor as each stage of the process is explained and demonstrated. Daily discussions and lectures will be given as well as personalized instruction specific to the individual's level and needs. This class will break down the essential elements of drawing and teach you how to render exact proportions to create the illusion of sculptural form, which is an essential tool in representing any three dimensional object. This leaves the individual with a high practical ability as well as a deep understanding of the historical traditions of drawing.

Your registration includes 8 Sessions in total. With 6-8 students in each class.

Class is held Tuesdays : 10:00am - 1:00pm

Registration Fee: $625

Online payment via PayPal (no Paypal account required)
Class is non-transferable, no exceptions
Fee is non-refundable unless session is cancelled

CONTACT FOR SPACE AVAILABILITY AND/OR QUESTIONS

INFO@ATELIERSOUTH.COM By registering you agree to Atelier Souths Terms and Conditions and Studio Rules

STUDENTS SAY

"As someone who is pretty much obsessed with creating representational art, I had been told there really is no better way to train than to study from life. When George opened the doors of Atelier South, he granted access to centuries of classical knowledge as well as the chance to regularly study from life.

Whether it's sharpening the eye for slight angle shifts through Bargue drawing or carefully extracting the gesture of a live model, George encourages us to look deeper. His reassuring manner instructs while preserving hope; if we are passionate, persistent but also patient- anything is possible. It's a thought process that has already helped me in my work outside the classroom on a practical level but also on an ever-important inspirational level.

At times it feels to me like Atelier South's studio vacillates between artistic retreat, fostering a genuine and ardent art-loving community and a creative bootcamp, helping to push each of us to a new level of ability depending on the moment! It's a rare but oh-so rewarding weekly experience. - Jen"