Maestro John Angel, new online portrait workshop, August 2020 in association with BARA

I'm delighted to announce that the workshop which I had planned with Maestro John Angel WILL go ahead this summer, in spite of the global lockdown and lack of international travel.

Rather than taking place in my studio, we have worked together to create a fantastic new online programme, made up of beautifully edited demonstration videos, which will be shared with participants throughout the workshop, and Maestro will attend through Zoom every day, answering questions and doing more demonstrations where needed.

The subject is portraiture. Over the two weeks, the programme will allow you to complete at least three portraits, under Maestro's guidance. The first is using the Grisaille technique, the second and third are in colour. All reference material will be provided in advance, along with handout notes. You will be working from photographic reference selected by Maestro, and not painting master-copies.

Maestro will be in his studio in Florence, and the Zoom meetings will be hosted by me, in Belfast. To date (since lockdown took effect here), I have held 72 classes on Zoom, and am now very familiar with it as a platform. It is fantastic - but I have opted for mostly pre-recorded video demonstrations, rather than live demos, just in case anything goes wrong with anyone's internet during class.

Please watch the video below and get in touch if you would like to book. Details on fees etc at the bottom of this blog.

Michael John Angel painting St John

Mr Angel is highly regarded as one of the foremost figurative painters,  and his paintings and portraits hang in both public and private collections worldwide. Mr. Angel has taught workshops at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, in addition to lecturing at the Florentine campuses of several American universities and various private schools. From 1982 to 1988 he was the Director of the National Portrait Academy in Toronto, Canada, and from 1992 - 1995 the Assistant Director of the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy.  As an ARC living master, Mr. Angel is considered one of the most inspiring and successful teachers in classical and traditional art today.

Mr Angel, teaching

Michael John Angel, known to his students as 'Maestro', is the founder and Director of the Angel Academy of Art in Florence, Italy. 

Further Workshop Details:Each day is a 6-hour class plus an hour lunch break. The exact timings will be confirmed once students express interest. This is due to the multitude of timezones across the world. Mr Angel will be available LIVE during class times (in the same way that he would be in a normal shared studio environment)Individual and group critiques - question and answer sessions live on Zoom, co-ordinated by Julie Douglas. Painting demonstrations by Mr AngelDiscussions on materials and techniques COST: £1350 - this is the same price as last year's workshop, in spite of the huge volume additional work involved in producing the several hours of excellent quality video demonstrations. Videos are available to students to download and keep as a reference aid. A list of materials (paint and brushes) will be sent upon booking a place.Terms & Conditions:A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to hold your place. Full payment must be received by 15th July 2020Minimum number of students - 15.Fees are non refundable unless the course is cancelled for any reason. 

I personally feel really honoured to have had the opportunity to create and present this workshop with Maestro. He is tirelessly professional, enthusiastic, and cooperative, and endlessly generous with his knowledge. It is a privilege for me to be able deliver this workshop, particularly during the current travel and gathering restrictions in place due to COVID-19.