
GREYTONES 2.0
THE SECRETS OF GRAPHITE
ILLUSTRATING WITH
ISABELLA MAZZANTI
NOVEMBER 10 - 12, 2017
WORKSHOP
THE TEACHER
Art director, teacher
Isabella is one of IDEA Academy founding member. She has several years of experience in the art field, working as art director, illustrator and comic book artist for Italy, USA and France. She graduated in Chinese language and culture and lived in China for one year where she studied in numerous art institutes and fine arts academies. Isabella attended specialized courses for publishing illustration in Milan, Florence and Macerata ...
Graphite (commonly called “pencil”) is one of the cheapest and most popular drawing tool. Many illustrators use it for sketching and quick studies and almost all of us have once used it at school for exercises of art and technical drawing.
Despite its apparent simplicity, graphite requires infinite patience and mastery to be used at its best. Available to everyone, only a few people can really understand it fully and are able to find the right balance between line and chiaroscuro.
The aim of the workshop is finding the hidden potentiality of graphite, discovering one’s own mark and how to use this tool, both as a pure technique and as basis to develop one’s own personal style.
During the three days workshop, students will do both collective and individual exercises, all focused on technique. There will be also a live drawing session, that will consist in the copy of an object along with the study of the chiaroscuro.
Students will be able to make a final illustration using graphite and at least one study of environment/characters from a text chosen by the teacher.
PROGRAM
DAY 1
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Introduction to the course
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Warm-up: drawing with mindfulness (both collective and individual exercises)
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Understanding the tool to create one’s own style: what is graphite? (study of the tool and its accessories) Case Study N. 1 Isabella Labate and Shaun Tan
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Planning a pencil illustration: thumbnails e references

DAY 2
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Portfolio review
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Case Study N. 2 Maurice Sendak and Marco Somà
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Understanding the tool to create the style: line versus shape
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Planning a pencil illustration: sketching

DAY 3
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Understanding the tool to create the style: how to find one’s own inner voice (teacher review of the exercises done in class)
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Conclusions and release of certificates of attendance

COST AND SCHEDULE
Cost: € 300,00. For more info on discounts and promotions visit the FAQ page
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Time Schedule:
Friday 14:30-19:30
Saturday and Sunday 10:00–13:00 14:30–19:30
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Course language: Italian
Availability: 20 people
Required tools: at least five different types of paper (smooth, rough, satin of various kind of weight. We recommend Fabriano, Magnani, Arches); a sketchbook; a set of graphites (from 6b to 2h); rubber, putty and sharpner; “natural”graphite ( stick of medium grades); soft sponge (also the one used for make up is ok) for blending - rubber for spotlights (ex. tombow monozero).
Required knowledge: drawing skill
General requirements: N/A
Notes: An interpreting service will be available for a minimum of 5 requests.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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Courses organised by IDEA Academy have a limited number of students. By enrolling to IDEA Academy's courses, participants give their consent to the cancellation and refund policies. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS
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HOW TO ENROLL
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Courses can be booked:
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via email to info@idea-academy.it
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The booking is not binding and it turns into a real enrollment only after paying the enrollment fee. In case of payment through bank transfer, students have to send the TRN code via email to info@idea-academy.it
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