​Bristol Academy

 

This class is open only to students who have basic drawing skills. Students who completed Mr. Bayens' Intro to Drawing Class are automatically welcome to register.  Other interested students must audition with Mr. Bayens, to verify that their drawing skills are aligned with what these students have already learned.

 

If you would like your student to audition to join this class, or if you would like us to offer an intro to drawing class in the fall, to welcome new students to Mr. Bayens teaching, please fill out the form on the contact us page.

 

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• Students will learn academic drawing , modeled on techniques used by the old masters as well as more recent masters like Norman Rockwell.  

 

• This is not a free-form creative class.  This is a structured approach to learn a serious, academic-based style, leaning toward realism.  The class is involved, and the students will be expected to focus and work hard.

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• The class is also fun; Mr. Bayens incorporates games to teach difficult fundamentals.

 

• This class is designed to give students a mastery of drawing  realism that can be used to move into any form of painting.  However, no painting will happen in class--the focus is drawing only.

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• High School age is preferred; however, mature students as young as 12 can request to participate.

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• Some Art History will be taught; students will discuss famous works of art by the masters.  Occasionally, this artwork includes nudity.   The artistic style and skills are the key points of discussion; students need to be mature enough to handle this.

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• At least 20 minutes per day of at-home work is expected.  Students will be instructed on how to use this practice time.  Learning drawing is like learning music: the strategies must be incorporated into frequent practice sessions. 

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• Grades will be based on class participation, the frequency of at-home practice, and the effort with which students apply the strategies taught.  Students will not be graded on how creative or talented they are.

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• The students only need a sketch book and several 2B pencils and a kneaded eraser.  The teacher will provide all other materials and handouts.

 

•  Students earn 1/2 credit for a High School elective course. Parents are responsible for managing the transcript for their student.  The teacher will communicate the end-of-course grade within 2 weeks of the final class date.

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