|
 September 6 & 7, 2008
Several of you have inquired as to how was the workshop with Claude Mediavilla? Well, it was wonderful and a tremendous opportunity!!! First of all, I had his book and have adored it for many years (it now resides with a wonderful friend) and this opportunity arose and I grabbed it. (Example by Claude on left.)
It was not your normal workshop- being "show and tell", work, "show and tell", work, lunch, socialize, "show and tell" and work. Which was a totally different approach of a workshop for some. It didn't bother me, as I am used to sitting and working all day anyway.
He lectured on Saturday morning and went through a plethora of original artwork, which we got to handle and admire (No pictures allowed) for approximately an hour and a half, including his training, background, methodology in working and expectations of his students. Then, he proceeded to write for an hour. We were asked to be as quiet a little French mice, not to jiggle the table, listen, learn and enjoy. Then we were sent back to our areas to work and he spent the remainder of the day, working one on one! His sense of humor is marvelous. His command of the English language is very good. He swears in Spanish.
Wags his finger at you and wears his glasses at the end of his nose. Constantly talks to himself while he is working, and when he does a "C'est Bon!" part of a letter, there is a surge of happy noises and satisfaction from him. He also does the same when we made a good letter. He uses 3 tools when he writes (a nib for his base structure, a tiny pointed nib for touching up-as he goes- and a pointed brush to pull out the flourishes (which look like they are floating on air) - it was amazing to watch. He instructed us to use watercolors and not add the water. He wets the brush-dips into the medium-then loads the nib and/or pallets his brush - I know I have a much happier approach to watercolors, as I am myself a totally gouache girl. Sunday, no lecture, no show and tell, just resume working on what you were doing and he spent the entire day working one on one - as there were a limited amount of students, he made the rounds to everyone twice in the day, his critiques were extensive and very, very helpful.
Would I do it again - in a heart beat.
Is he a consummate artist? Yes
Did I learn anything? Amazing things! Not only about my lettering, but how I approach my work, as I am guilty of the "over analysis = paralysis" syndrome.
By Kingsley Benefield (first published on Cyberscribes)
|
