Imperial Centre Painting Studio / Plein-Air Workshops

Arts Center Opens Painting School

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Jennifer Rankin, Arts Education Coordinator

252-972-1632, Email: jennifer.rankin@rockymountnc.gov.

Beginning in February 2009, the Rocky Mount Arts Center will open its new atelier-style painting school. This two year course of study with noted North Carolina painter Charles Philip Brooks concentrates on preparing students for professional careers as artists. Emphasis is placed on traditional methods of oil painting, including making copies, and plein-air landscape painting. Students receive instruction in traditional 19^th century techniques as well as practical advice for careers in fine art. Weekly lectures and critiques provide a continual context for student development, allowing each student to pursue his or her interests in the light of their appropriate art historical contexts.

The program is unique, relying heavily on the practice of plein-air painting. Students develop stamina and discipline, painting many on-site studies from nature. Unlike seasonal schools or single workshops, our school emphasizes outdoor painting year round, encouraging students to study nature during each season. Demonstrations and discussions explore the works of painters of the classical, realist, romantic, and naturalist schools. Students will become familiar with the various movements and styles of landscape painting as they relate to the practices of working contemporary painters. Studio space is included to allow students the opportunity to work anytime the facilities are open.

The cost is $1,200 per 3 month session. Sessions include studio space, weekly lectures, and critiques. The studio is housed in the landmark Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences. For an information packet please contact Jennifer Rankin at the Rocky Mount Arts Center.

Rocky Mount Department of Parks & Recreation.

Now Offering -- Outdoor Landscape Painting Workshops

Students will paint landscape or seascape subjects on location in oils, carefully studying light, color, form, and atmosphere. Impressionist and Tonalist oil painting techniques will be addressed. A highly-regarded and enthusiastic teacher, Charles Philip Brooks is artist-in-residence at the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences. Students of any skill level are warmly welcomed. Materials and Book lists are available.

Charles Philip Brooks, born in North Carolina, studied in New England in the studio of highly respected Boston School authority Paul Ingbretson and with the renowned American Barbizon painter Dennis Sheehan. He is primarily a landscape painter, focusing on the landscape of the southeastern United States. His work incorporates elements of impressionism and is firmly rooted in the American Barbizon / Tonalist tradition of landscape painting. He works out of the tradition established by such artists as George Inness, Alexander Wyant, Bruce Crane, John Francis Murphy, Dwight William Tryon, and North Carolina’s own Elliott Daingerfield. Further influences include the painters Eugene Boudin and Charles-Francois Daubigny , as well as the many other masters of the French Barbizon School. As artist in residence at the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, he teaches a select group of students in the Imperial Centre Painting Studio.

Teaching Studio for Impressionist and Tonalist Painting

Quick Facts

1. The Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences hosts the teaching studio of theAmerican Tonalist / Impressionist painter Charles Philip Brooks. Students receive instruction in traditional 19^th century techniques as well as practical advice in preparation for contemporary careers in the fine arts.

2. Full-time enrollment at the school is limited to eight students. In this environment, students develop long-lasting relationships with their future professional colleagues. The principle instructor takes an active interest in the progress of each student.

3. The program is unique, relying heavily on the practice of plein-air painting. Students develop stamina and discipline, painting many on site studies from nature. Unlike seasonal schools or single workshops, our studio emphasizes outdoor painting year round, encouraging its students to study nature during each season.

4. Located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the studio is housed in the landmark Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, the hub of eastern North Carolina art.

5. Weekly lectures and critiques provide a continual context for student development, allowing each student to pursue his or her interests in the light of their appropriate art historical contexts. Topics include the American Impressionists and American Tonalist painters.

6. Demonstrations and discussions explore the works of painters of the classical, realist, romantic, and naturalist schools. Students will become familiar with the various movements and styles of landscape painting as they relate to the practices of working contemporary painters.

7. During this two-year concentrated program, students learn to paint directly from nature, preparing them for productive careers as professionals.

8. Students are encouraged to plan and organize a yearly exhibition. Senior students will assist with the staging of yearly exhibitions.

9. Senior students are encouraged to begin developing a professional portfolio. These portfolios will highlight the strengths of each student's work and prepare them for approaching galleries and exhibition venues.

10. The mild climate and clear blue skies of eastern North Carolina are ideal for the study of landscape painting.

For additional information, email Jennifer Rankin at (252) 972-1163 or email:jennifer.rankin@rockymountnc.gov