INFO PAGE

CURRENT LESSON THEME

Join us at the Alexander Art Academy as we explore contemporary ‘Painterly Painting Techniques’, which emphasise visible brushstrokes, texture, and the physical application of paint, prioritising overall impression and emotional impact over precise details and smooth surfaces. Term 3 starts on 15 July and ends on 19 September.

Click here for Lesson Notes

CLASS SCHEDULE | Alexander Art Academy

Each class is 3 hours and allows for a maximum of 10 students.

Class Details

Each class runs for three hours, exploring a theme per term. There are 4 terms per year consisting of 10 weeks each. Beginners to seasoned artists are welcome.

During the first 45 minutes of every second week, the focus is on learning something new. Marc guides students through the practical application of the lesson or assists with individual projects for the remainder of the time.

There is a midway break for coffee and tea.

Students are encouraged to work in their preferred medium and to develop their own unique artistic style.

TERM SCHEDULE

Classes run for 10 weeks per term with 4 terms per year. Artists can start at any time of the year or term.

CLASS FEES 2024

A DEPOSIT SECURES YOUR SEAT

A 50% deposit per term secures your seat, covering 5 out of 10 classes. The remaining balance is due to be settled halfway through the term, by week 5.

Our enrollment presently operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

NB: Please note that the deposit is non-refundable if cancellation occurs within 14 days of the term starting date. Students are responsible for class fees regardless of their attendance, as the seat has been reserved.

Please send payment confirmation to admin@alexanderartacademy.com , and use your initials and surname as references.

Cash payments may be submitted in class. Please enclose cash in an envelope, clearly noting your name, the date, the amount, and the reason for payment on the front of the envelope.

PLEASE NOTE:

*Students have the option to attend additional art classes per week at an extra cost per class, however, this is subject to available space.

*Cash-paying students will receive a R20 discount per class.

*Students aged 65 and above will enjoy an additional R10 discount per class.

*Pro-rata payments apply to students who join the Alexander Art Academy after the start of a term.

*Art classes will take place on public holidays.

*Art supplies are conveniently available from AAA Art Supplies. Students can place orders in the order book or email admin@alexanderartacademy.com, and Marc will bring the supplies to the next lesson.

If you wish to purchase AAA Art Supplies, please click here to view the PRODUCT LIST.

WHAT TO BRING

Brushes

The following selection of brushes is recommended. Be aware that some brushes have bristles glued with adhesives that may not be compatible with certain solvents or brush cleaners.

Include a variety of angle brushes, useful for drawing and blocking-in subjects directly onto the canvas with paint.

One-inch soft flat brush, a half-inch soft flat brush, various round brushes, a variety of filberts, a fan brush, a soft mop or fan blender, and a set of silicone / rubber-tipped brushes.

Also, include a rigger or sword-liner brush for detail, such as in animal fur painting.

A new reference or current project

The new reference image is to be clear and well-lit. Print your preferred reference in colour on A4 paper or work from a tablet or laptop. Also, provide a black-and-white copy of the same size as your canvas for tracing (optional).

Feel free to bring any ongoing projects you’re currently working on.

Substrate

Choose from canvas, wooden canvases, canvas board, primed board, cold or hot-pressed paper, canvas pads, or any preferred surface to work on.

For class exercises, use an A4 or A3 sketchbook or canvas pad.

Paints

These are the suggested basic colours, which apply to all mediums, including oils, acrylics, watercolours, etc.

• Warm and cool red (opaque Cadmium red and transparent Alizarin Crimson).
• Warm and cool yellow (opaque Cadmium/Arylamide yellow and transparent Lemon yellow).
• Warm and cool blue (transparent Ultramarine blue and transparent Prussian blue).
• Warm and cool green (transparent Sap green and transparent Viridian green).
• Earth colours (transparent Burnt Umber, transparent Burnt Sienna, and opaque Yellow Ochre).
• Chromatic Black (transparent Van Dyke brown and transparent Prussian blue). Or Chromatic Black (transparent Burnt Umber and French Ultramarine blue).
• White (opaque Titanium white).

View the Acrylic Paint Starter Pack – Click Here.

View the Oil Paint Starter Pack – Click Here.

Mediums and solvents

• Retarder, to slow the drying time of acrylics.
• Matte acrylic glaze medium to thin acrylic paint.
• Oil medium to thin oil paint (mix three equal parts genuine turpentine, refined linseed oil, and Liquin). Premixed oil medium is available from the AAA art supply shop.
• Brush-cleaning tank with a wire spiral or sieve, filled with odourless white spirit, to clean oil paint brushes.
• Masking fluid for watercolours.

General

• AAA Colour Bias Wheel and Value Scale.
• 4mm glass palette (30cm by 12cm or 30cm by 30cm) with edges ground smooth.
• Pallete Knife #5, Steel blade, diamond shape for mixing paint.
• A3 sketchbook for exercises.
• White acrylic paint to prime sketchbook pages.
• Set of graphite pencils (4H, 2H, HB, 2B, 6B, 9B).
• Red and blue colour or pastel pencils.
• thin vine charcoal for sketching.
• Roll of paper towel for brush, palette, and general cleaning.
• Glass scrapper with blades for palette cleaning.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions about the classes

Question: Can I attend multiple classes per week?

Answer: Yes, at an additional cost.

Question: What is the structure of the art classes?

Answer: Each class has a duration of three hours. It starts promptly, with a 45-minute lesson including practical exercises (every second week). There is a 10-minute break halfway through the session. Artists then continue working on their projects, receiving individual guidance from Marc for the remaining time.

Question: Do I have to start classes at the beginning of a term?

Answer:
Artists are welcome to join at any point in the term. Payments are then calculated pro-rata for the remaining duration of that term.

Question: Will classes take place on public holidays?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Is it mandatory to participate in the practical exercises?

Answer: No, artists can choose to listen to the lesson or continue with their personal artwork; hence, the exercises are optional.

Question: How many artists are typically in each class?

Answer: A maximum of 10 students per class.

Question: Is prior fine art experience particularly required to join these classes?

Answer: Beginners as well as seasoned artists are welcome.

Question: Are refreshments served at art classes?

Answer: Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided by the Alexander Art Academy for all classes. Students can bring wine for the evening sessions.

Question: What if I cannot attend a class?

Answer: Make-up lessons can be arranged by the student, though there are no refunds.

Questions about artwork and materials

Question: Can I leave a specifically ‘wet’ artwork’ at the art class?

Answer: Unfortunately, we cannot store your artwork at the home studio, therefore, please make arrangements to take it with you.

Question: Do I need to bring my easel?

Answer: The academy provides a table, chair, standing easel, and additionally a limited number of table easels for students.

Question: Does the academy provide art materials?

Answer: No, each student must bring their own paints, brushes, palettes, etc. Otherwise, these can be purchased from AAA Art Supplies.

Question: Can I participate in the Alexander Art Academy annual exhibition?

Answer: Artists enrolled in the Alexander Art Academy are encouraged to submit at least one artwork for the annual exhibition; however, participation is optional.

EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES

The best way to build an art career and further develop as an artist is to participate in as many art exhibition opportunities and art competitions as possible. These events allow you to network in ways you never imagined. Most art galleries are inundated with artists looking for exposure; however, artists who build a relationship with a gallery through participation will always be favoured. Not only do these events give an artist a much-needed motivational push, but they also provide good focus. The Alexander Art Academy presents an annual student exhibition for students to formally participate in. There is no obligation; however, proactive engagement is highly recommended.

Previous Annual Alexander Art Academy Exhibitions

REGISTRATION FORM

To join the Alexander Art Academy, first complete a REGISTRATION FORM. If your desired time slot is fully booked, alternative options may be proposed. If no suitable time slot is available, you may be included on a waiting list.

GIFT CERTIFICATE