Atelier MEXICO

OUR HISTORY

In August 2023, ATELIER MEXICO opened its doors in the center of Mexico City. The academy's vision arose from the imminent need to create a space for growth where drawing and painting skills could be enhanced: thus forming artists with high technical demands who develop their own artistic proposals, acquiring an integral training.

Thus, ATELIER MEXICO was born, with its mission being to establish a painting academy that promotes both technical and conceptual excellence. In this way, it aims to shape artists who enrich the perspective of the national visual arts scene. Furthermore, the academy strives to have an excellent teaching staff. In summary, it aims to create a space that nurtures the development of artists in the realm of the new Latin American painting.

OBJECTIVES

To motivate each student to acquire skill and proficiency in the technique.

To encourage creativity to strengthen the conceptual level of their works and the definition of the students' individual artistic voices in their careers.

 To create an environment of discipline, perseverance and passion.

METHODOLOGY and COURSES

For students to fully express themselves in the language of drawing and painting, it's necessary for them to master the fundamentals on a solid foundation. In this way, we utilize European classical methodologies from 19th-century and integrate them with contemporary tools. We teach various methods, primarily Sight-Size and Comparative techniques. Additionally, there is an approach to constructive drawing and understanding of light and form.

Classes are held from Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 5 pm, in 11-week trimesters. Students have the option to study full-time or part-time, with the freedom to choose their own schedules. Classes are conducted in small groups of no more than 14 people, offering the opportunity for personalized, high-quality art instruction. Each day, students have a different tutor who provides individual feedback. Students advance at their own pace in a progressive manner, with exercises becoming increasingly challenging. At the end of each trimester, there is an individual critique where students' performance is evaluated and suggestions are provided to reinforce the learned concepts.

Completing the full-time diploma requires three years. The first year focuses on drawing and eye training: structure, proportions, gesture, value relationships and the interaction of light and form. Days are divided into Studio Projects and Model Room. The former involves studying Bargue plates, master copies and cast rendering. Furthermore, in the Model Room: students study the human figure, portrait, short poses and anatomy. Fridays are dedicated to the development of personal projects: starting to think about particular themes, understanding of basic semiotics and conceptualization of sketches.

The second year concludes the drawing program and initiates the painting program. It begins with advanced cast drawing, advanced figure drawing and ends with grisailles: cast painting and figure painting. The final year is dedicated to painting: color mixing, color theory, direct application and glazing. During the last year, students engage in still life, landscape, advanced figure painting, portrait painting and a final project. Additionally, workshops are offered during Easter, summer, and winter breaks.

On the whole, by fostering self-assurance through rigorous skill acquisition and mastering techniques, as well as cultivating an understanding of the historical context, creative procedure, and untapped possibilities within their field, Academy students are not only empowered to navigate the contemporary art scene, but also empowered to leave their mark on it.