Florence Academy of Art, Florence, Italy
 

My gift for Christmas (I must have been a very good girl!!) from Jack is round trip tickets to Italy this summer. I can take a month off of work and the Florence Academy of Art offers a four week program in portrait drawing or life drawing. Does any member here have any experience with the Florence Academy? Could you privately e-mail me, or here, whatever your preference. I need to figure out how to research the academy before putting down the money.

Thank you,, in advance... if anyone knows of another place to study in Italy, I would be grateful for the information.

Hi Pat,

There is a lot of info already up ...just use the search button at the top of any Forum page.

The Art Renewal Center at www.artrenewal.org has information on academies in various places, too. Also in Florence is the Angel Academy.

Thank you Chris and Michele,

I have gathered as much information about the Florence Academy of Art from ARC and their own website. The Angel studio looks great too, however they only offer a summer program which extends three months and I can only take a month's leave from work.

Michele, what is it like to take instruction from Anthony Ryder? From your posts it seems you were very happy, and productive at his workshop in Seattle. I am feeling a bit anxious about the life drawing workshop coming up. Any advice you can give me???

Thanks

You'll have a great time in Tony's class. He is VERY personable and terrific at explaining things. I think his drawing method (as covered in his book) is the best I've ever seen.

I think the main tip I would give anyone learning his methods (either painting or drawing) is to slow way down and work carefully. Ironically this seems to be resulting in an overall time savings for me since I am more likely to get things right the first time.

His class environment is calm and contemplative. Relax -- you'll have a great class and please say hi to him for me.

Thanks Michele,
You have calmed my nerves just by telling me that his class is calm and contemplative - exactly the type of environment I like when drawing. I have been in classes where the instructor has so much energy I get nervous!!

I will certainly tell him you said hello!!