"To be learning is the greatest of pleasures...the delight in seeing the picture is that one is at the same time learning-gathering the meaning of things." (Aristotle, De Poetica) - Fine Arts Preservation Society of New Orleans

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Fine Arts Preservation Society of New Orleans, Group Critique 2024

“To be learning is the greatest of pleasures…the delight in seeing the picture is that one is at the same time learning-gathering the meaning of things.” (Aristotle, De Poetica)

Post published:November 26, 2024
Post category:Classes, Workshops, and Seminars

A great day of final critiques with a few special guests! Final Critique day, Fall 2024 . Fine Arts Preservation Society classes , group painting & discussion. Thank you Cybele & Degas Gallery for joining us yesterday as one of our special guests! Thank you Auseklis Ozols for letting us use your studio!

Final Critique day, Fall 2024, alla prima figure class instructed by Saskia Ozols.

Our inspiration today came from a reading in Aristotle’s Poetics about painting as a learning tool. We read and we paint, understanding that artwork has been considered a vital learning tool for centuries. Aristotle is of just one important historical figure to have written about the relationship between learning and the arts.

Pictured is Leon Hinson addressing the group as he presents his work for discussion.

Critique day is a fun day! We enjoy the artwork of other people, and try to understand the perspectives they offer.

Another painter sets up his paintings.

He brought a few wonderful pieces from an in progress series he is creating. It was very inspiring to see the work. He brought some books to go along with his presentation and introduced a few people to artists they were not familiar with before. Thank you!

Auseklis Ozols and Frances Swigart discussing process and painting.

We use a limited palette of primary colors, two secondaries, and white.

All colors can be mixed with this palette. Continued practice with color mixing allows a more in depth understanding with each exercise.

After our reading, the group finished paintings for the critique.

Auseklis Ozols discusses his process for an in -progress painting being created from direct observation. His still life of flowers is set up in the studio, and utilizes the same process the group is practicing & learning. It is so important for any group of artists to see the manner, means, and method an artist with this level of experience employs.

Frances Swigart discusses her process with the alla prima experience. As a long time professional printmaker, watching Frances use the painting techniques we are practicing and combine them with some of her existing methods was such a treat.