Renaissance Drawing Techniques
I had the wonderful opportunity to enroll in the Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) in Florence, Italy. My goal was to learn drawing techniques from the Renaissance masters to apply these skills to future ventures. Immersing myself in the rich culture, I explored renowned galleries and museums like the Uffizi and Michelangelo's Museum. During my time at SRISA, I learned how to use silverpoint, white gouache techniques, chalk, and ink, crafting these materials from scratch. Below is a showcase of my work from that month, including some final pieces. For the last three pieces, I dedicated my unique illustration style while incorporating the Renaissance techniques I learned in class. The original descriptions, masters, and dates of the drawing will be found below the image.
Hans Burgkmair the Elder Head of a woman wearing a garland; turned to left, with long curling hair
Leondard Da Vinci (Vinci 1452- Amboise 1519) A sprig of guelder-rose c.1506-12 Red chalk, touches of whit4e chalk, on orange-red prepared paper
Study of a head of a donkey wearing a halter Circle/School of; Peter Paul Rubens
Hans Baldung Grien Karlsruher Skizzenbuch, 1511-1545
Bust of a Young Woman Turned to the Left, 1637 Pietro da Cortona
Attributed to Pietro Perugino (Citta della Pieve c. 1450-Fontignano-1523) The head and shoulders of the Virgin c.1480.
From left to right, these pieces reflect my love for illustration and storytelling, deeply influenced by my cultural heritage and experiences. As a Puerto Rican artist, I drew inspiration from the island's vibrant nature. The first piece features a Puerto Rican green parrot with a little girl walking among the trees, symbolizing the harmony between nature and innocence.
In the second piece, inspired by my travels through Southeast Asia and Europe over the past year, I depicted a girl dreaming as grandly as the Seven Wonders of the World. This piece reflects my fascination with diverse cultures and my belief in dreaming big.
The final piece was inspired by my travels in Vietnam. I was captivated by the country's beauty, the prevalent use of motorbikes, and the traditional attire. This illustration features a woman in traditional clothing, wearing the iconic conical hat and carrying the national flower, the lotus, on the back of her bike, swaying gently in the wind.
Below is a reel of photos capturing my time in class and our final class exposition. From our workstations to the completed pieces and class trips, it was an exciting and enriching experience to witness it all.
