Embracing the Spirit of Bali While Developing Artistic Creativity and Skills

Instructor: Bruce Sherratt
with local Balinese guest speakers

Enquiries to: bali_artcourses@yahoo.com

COURSE OVERVIEW

This course is as applicable for those with no artistic experience as for the serious artist. While embracing and understanding Balinese beliefs and culture and the Balinese way of life, the larger emphasis here is on the actual art-making process and a closer scrutiny of the influence of early European artists on Bali and Balinese art.

Participants will be encouraged to work in the area of color theory and formal composition. Much early Balinese painting that was European influenced was inspired by then recent developments in Europe amongst the Impressionists and Expressionists and can therefore be better appreciated in this context.

The course is very practical in nature, hence the emphasis on skills, and includes drawing from local flora and fauna as well as landscape in general and the nude figure. Learning the traditional art of batik is also a possibility for those who chose to do so but painting on water color paper and canvas are essential. There will be trips to the art villages of Batuan and Penestanan and visits to both traditional stone and wood carving villages.

Drawing is taken as a basic skill with both realistic-observational and abstract-symbolic drawing playing equal parts both in terms of instructional content and methodology. This is linked to the notion of tapping into the underlying nature and character that makes Balinese art intrinsically unique.

To appreciate Balinese art one must understand about "Taksu" or "spiritual charisma" and "Sakti" or "magic". These elements play a major part in Balinese culture and arts. The landscape and geography of the island deeply influence its mentality and culture. A substantial amount of studio work and visits to painters in the Ubud area, balanced by theoretical and historical studies will lead course participants to develop the skills and confidence needed to begin to evolve a painting/drawing style of their own while tapping into the authentic spirit of Bali.

The group will attend dance performances at the annual Bali Arts Festival, which begins in mid-June. Participants will not only see their own creative potential emerge, sometimes very dramatically, but will simultaneously increase their personal understanding and appreciation of Balinese history and the Balinese way of life.

New!
October Course
2007

Embracing the Spirit of BALI Through Creativity and Multiple Perspectives
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Embracing the Spirit of Bali While Developing Artistic Creativity and Skills
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Painting and Drawing: Artistic Creativity, Discovery and Self Expression for all in a Balinese context
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