If you’re looking to experiment with new mediums, try out new techniques, and grow as an artist, taking art classes abroad can be a terrific way to open yourself up to new ideas.
“The activity here is very intense and focused, as it takes a lot of energy for students to change the way they see and think," explains Professor Peter Flaccus, who teaches painting and figure drawing at John Cabot University (JCU). "But by the end of the course, nearly everyone has made something that they would not have been able to imagine when they first started.”
Painting and figure drawing aren’t the only studio art classes offered at JCU – far from it. Whether you’re looking to experiment with photography, test out new approaches in graphic design, or even try your hand at fresco painting, JCU’s art classes are a one-of-a-kind experience.
There’s also no reason why you can’t combine your love of many different techniques into the same ground-breaking piece. Whether you want to merge photography with digital design, figure painting with the fresco and more, the sky’s the limit when it comes to mixing art mediums.
Here’s a look at three mixed media art techniques you can try while you study abroad in Italy:
Light Up Your Fresco Painting at Art School in Rome
Painting a beautiful fresco is no easy task – as you’ll soon discover in your art classes in Italy. You’ll need to quickly and carefully paint your design into wet plaster. And, if there are any mistakes in your work, you’ll either have to learn to incorporate them into your piece or redo that particular section.
But, while fresco painting can be a challenge, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be the perfect technique for creating an unforgettable piece. If you want to add some new mixed media elements to your piece, you could try adding a lighting element. You could project a new design that fits thematically with your fresco, or simply train a beam of light onto a feature of your piece that you would like to highlight.
Combine Photography with Digital Design to Bring the Eternal City to Life
Inspiration is everywhere for students at art school in Rome. From the two-thousand-year-old pantheon to the MAXXI, the Eternal City is filled with inspiration everywhere. It’s no surprise that it’s a dream location for aspiring photographers to study in.
As you take pictures of your new home away from home, consider incorporating your photos into a multimedia piece. You could, for example, use Photoshop to bring together a painting and photograph. Or, simply manipulate your image by adding new elements and colors to create something new and unique.
Paint a Found Object You Discovered at Art School in Rome
As you explore the many cobbled streets, nooks, and crannies of Rome, you might discover objects that could be used in your art pieces. Found objects help to add a new dimension to an art piece. You could use a found object like a broken pot or cracked plate as an unconventional canvas. Or, you could do the opposite and use a found object as an innovative new stamp or paintbrush, to add new multimedia elements to your painting.
Are you interested in creating mixed media pieces while you study in Italy?
Discover JCU’s art classes by visiting our website or speaking to one of our advisors.
