David Mensing – Your Inner Architect (Online); Mondays, March 24-April 14, 2025

Understanding and applying architectural design principles to compose better paintings.

Date: Mondays, March 24-April 14, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM-12:00 PM Pacific Time (12:30-3:00 PM Eastern Time/5:30-8:00 PM London Time*)
Level: All levels welcome
Medium: All (David will work in oil)

* please note that because of daylight savings, class on March 24 will be held at 4:30-7 PM London Time

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Join David Mensing online for an exciting and inspiring course in the understanding and application of architectural design principles in representational paintings. It is beyond dispute that appealing design is critical for fine paintings. However, many artists rely on chance or trial-and-error when composing their paintings. An artist must learn to think beyond simply duplicating a subject – an artist must be a designer.

David Mensing has been a professional artist for over twenty years, but his academic background was in architecture. Through the years, he has come to realize that his architectural training was a great preparation for fine painting. If you approach your painting as an architect would, you will be able to create more dynamic shapes and harmonious compositions.

This course will help students understand compositional principles and offer specific techniques to avoid awkward or boring designs. With lively discussion, demonstration and exercises, we will explore critical concepts and useful tools for compositional improvement. Discussion topics will include universal laws of asthetics, balance, movement, exciting shapes, major value masses and the use of linear perspective. Each student will have the opportunity to apply the principles in their own painting.

Attention to certain key principles of painting can accelerate growth as an Artist. As we take a deep dive into principles of composition, expect to develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of intensities, movement, texture and light temperature as well. At the conclusion of the course, you will be poised to make significant improvement and to find greater satisfaction in your work.