(Re)naissance Materials (online, five-session workshop)

This course is an exploratory and studio-driven course which will discuss the notion of drawing during the Renaissance as a scholarly act. Artists in the 15th and 16th century were not only artists, and carried with them into the studio a myriad of other disciplines, from literature to science. From conceptual narrative to finished drawings, students will learn the measures taken to create a works on paper using traditional Renaissance tools and processes.

Special Notes

This is an online class hosted through Zoom. We recommend that you download the free Zoom application on your computer, phone, or tablet in advance of the first class. You will receive a confirmation email containing a link to join the course via Zoom. The same link will be used each week.

Tuition Assistance is Available

To make our classes and workshops accessible to everyone, Fleisher offers tuition assistance every term so that everyone can join our creative community. Tuition assistance applications can be completed once registration is open by clicking here. The deadline to apply for spring term assistance is Friday, March 10; Notifications will be sent by Monday, March 13.

What you will learn:

  • “Reading” and “dissecting” Renaissance drawings and paintings with a more inquisitive eye

  • Learning Renaissance methods of creating an artwork via conceptual narrative and drawing

  • Comprehension of mythological and literary references in Renaissance paintings

  • In-depth knowledge of the drawing tools used in the 16-century including charcoal, silverpoint, red chalk, gouache, and ink

Required Supplies:

  • 9×12 Strathmore 300 Drawing Pad

  • Kneaded eraser

  • Staedtler eraser

  • Conte à Paris Sanguine, Sanguine Medici or Sanguine XVIII pencil

  • Soft charcoal sticks

  • Walnut ink

  • Small and medium synthetic round brush (Sizes 0-2)

  • Flat synthetic brush (Size 3, 4, or 5)

  • Titanium White Casein paint by Shiva

  • Titanium White gouache paint

  • Cretacolor/Natural pigments Silverpoint Stylus

  • Hahnemühle Ingres Paper, 3 sheets (Antique, Rose, or Earth)

  • Fabriano Artistico 140 Natural White Hot Press watercolor paper, 1 sheet OR Fabriano Studio 9×12 Hot Press watercolor pad

  • Tracing paper, 1 sheet

  • Thumbtack