Orvieto Drawing Series 2007

This summer, I participated in the New York Studio School's two week drawing marathon in Orvieto, Italy. It was an amazing experience...our days alternated between drawing from Signorelli's frescoes at the Orvieto Duomo and drawing from the models in an Orvieto gym, and taking day-trips throughout Italy to draw from great works of art.

Some of the highlights included (here we go): Piero della Francesca's 'Legend of the True Cross' in Arezzo, 'Resurrection' in San Sepolcro and 'Madonna del Parto' in Monterchi, the Morandi Museum in Bologna, Giotto's frescoes in Padua and Assisi, Masaccio and Uccello in Florence, Fra Filippo Lippi in Spoleto and Benozzo Gozzoli's Life of St. Francis in Montefalco.

Overall, it was a wonderful trip. But the most amazing aspect of it was studying and spending time with Graham Nickson, dean of the New York Studio School. In addition to being a great artist and generous teacher, he is also an excellent chef! I hope you enjoy the artwork and the photographs.

-Ariel

Artwork:


Reclining Nude
36" x 36" vine charcoal on paper, july 2007




Small Standing Nude
12" x 18" vine charcoal on paper, july 2007




Large Standing Nude
3.5' x 7' vine charcoal on paper, july 2007




Drawing from Luca Signorelli's fresco in the Orvieto
18" x 12" pencil on paper, july 2007



Drawing from Luca Signorelli fresco, Orvieto
6" x 12" pencil on paper



Drawing from Giotto fresco, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua
6" x 12" pencil on paper, July 2007



Drawing from Giotto, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua
6" x 12" pencil on paper, july 2007



Drawing from Giotto, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua
6" x 12" pencil on paper, july 2007



Gettin' Dirty with my friend Will in Orvieto



Two Nudes
3.5' x 7.5' vine charcoal on paper, july 2007



Detail: Two Nudes
3.5' x 7.5' vine charcoal on paper, july 2007



Detail: Two Nudes
3.5' x 7.5' vine charcoal on paper, july 2007



Detail: Two Nudes
3.5' x 7.5' vine charcoal on paper, july 2007


FINALLY: The Large Transcription
The last day of the marathon, we split into two groups, each making a large transcription of a Lucca Signorelli fresco. The group I was in did "Heaven," and the other group did "Hell." Unfortunately, we had to destroy the piece, as it was too large to take back to the United States. Hopefully the following photos will give you an idea of the experience. Enjoy!


Ian, Bettina and Kat work on their sections


Alison begins work on the top half


We began with a grid: it helps when you are
working large from a small drawing



My section: our group began by dividing the fresco into sections
but later we all pretty much worked the whole piece



The (semi) finished piece: 32 feet across and 12.5 feet tall!



Left-hand side of the transcription


Middle section of transcription


Right-hand side of transcription


Detail


Will works on the "Hell" transcription



I got really dirty!



Kat overwhelmed with relief: we're done!